Jesus’ Family
Jesus’ family
Jesus had family too. He had a mother, Mary. He had brothers: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. He had sisters. There are theories that Jesus lived in a mixed family. With either Joseph and his kids from a previous marriage, or with his cousins, or with half brothers and sisters. Little is known for sure but from several instances in the scripture, we can infer that Mary and Joseph did not live together after Jesus was 12, and most certainly by the time of the cross Mary was a widow.
“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother called Mary, and His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, aren’t they all with us? So where does He get all these things? ”
Matthew 13:55-56 HCSB
For a detailed view of all of Jesus’ family click here.
Jesus did not want to get into an argument about His mother and brothers at the door wanting to talk to Him, but he directed His attention to His disciples and followers and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! Whoever does the will of God is My brother and sister and mother.”
Jesus was not rejecting his flesh and blood but was welcoming them to join his following. We too have been welcomed into Jesus’ family as his brothers and sisters. Our big brother is the son of the God of the universe. And in Him, we live.
“He did this so they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Being God’s offspring then, we shouldn’t think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination.”
Acts 17:27-29 HCSB
But God does not have to include everyone. For the opposite is true: Whoever does not the will of God is not My brother and sister and mother. We are all created in the image of God because of our common ancestor Adam, but we are welcomed into the family of God when we accept the work of Jesus on the cross and decide to let Jesus be the Lord of our lives and try to figure out the will of God for our lives.
“Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12:1-2 HCSB
Will you choose this day to do the will of The Father? If you are undecided if you are in the family of God, then now take time to talk to the Father. He is waiting to welcome you into His Family!
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