Tuesday: A New Family
Great teachers before and since Jesus have taught about unity and love, but usually it is about love within the parameters of a single group; a family defined by the exclusivity of caste, color, language, tribe, or religion. But Jesus broke down the barriers that divide humans and ushered in a new family, one that made no distinction between the usual things that divide people. Under the banner of agape love-unmerited, nonexclusive, universal, and sacrificial-Christ created a new family.
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This family reflects the original, universal, and ideal concept enshrined in the Genesis creation, which attests that every human being is created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27) and, therefore, equal before Him.
Read Luke 8:19-21. Without in any way minimizing the ties and obligations that bind parents and children, brother and sisters, within a family, Jesus looked beyond flesh and blood and placed both of them at the altar of God as members of the whole family in heaven and earth
(Eph. 3:15, NKJV). The family of Christian discipleship ought to be no less close and binding than the ties of having common parents. To Jesus the true test of family
is not blood relationships but doing the will of God.
What do the following texts teach about the walls that Christ tore down in regard to the distinctions that so often divide humans (and often with bad results too)?
The mission and the ministry of Jesus, His forgiving heart and embracing grace, did not exclude anyone but included all who would accept His call. His everlasting love brought Him in touch with the entire spectrum of society.
What are ways that, as a church, we can better follow this crucial principle?
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One of the Pharisees’ main problems was they thought themselves better than others and by their statements and attitude excluded tax collectors and certain other ‘sinners,’ whom they detested, from the family of God (Luke 5:30). They erred.
Sometimes the way the Pharisees were described by Jesus (Matthew 23:27) and the way modern Christians characterize them may give the impression they were excluded from the family of God or in some way unpardonable. Jesus used sharp words to get their attention and issued strong warnings (Luke 12:1) because He cared much, and longed to see souls whom He loved accept salvation (Luke 13:34). Although the Pharisees might have taken offense Christ’s warnings were meant to help, not hurt.
Some Christians may take offense at Biblical warnings today, but if pride may be set aside, they may realize warnings in family are meant to help, not hurt; to save, not offend.
It is possible some Christians who are not quite strict or concerned about standards may think themselves better than those they consider modern ‘Pharisees,’ whom they detest and do not expect to get into the kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:20). It is as much a mistake to view the supposed ‘Pharisees’ as outsiders and excluded from the family of God as tax collectors were formerly regarded.
Those who err on the left, on the right, and in the middle, along with any who walk the straight path are all precious souls to Christ. None is forced into the family of God, but to all Jesus says, "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it" (Luke 8:21). Jesus makes the call. We all get to make the choice.
Iam happy to see the work of the lord
Hi all it took me a really long time to believe in the word and to have trust and faith in the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit but I'm learning g at my own pace. I have always new the Jesus was always going to be always part of my life as I a good person and I never use his name I vain unlike many people do. I love every e no matter whom they are and it's a kerning path for me. The coming for our Christ Jesus is coming fast approaching and we must all prepare ourselves for his return and choose the right path. I do find it hard to understand but I'm a women that likes to do things alone. Learning will be my most priority in the bible. Thank you for giving me this time to express in myself. God bless each and everyone. Amen.
God`s family is indeed simple and pricise...as christians we ought to be like Jesus at all times,because we are one in Christ!
We have to do our duty; to call all that are lost back to the family-to the inclusive family that they may benefit from the grace of Christ
Jesus said in one of the verses in the book of luke when he had visited Levi that he did not come for the righteous but sinners so that they may repent, he had healed 10 leppers but only one had glorifiedd the Lord and the other 9 were nowhere to be seen they had forgot to give thanks to the Lord for the healing, jesus also had tell a story of a rich man who had prepared supper and invited his fellow richmen but it turned out that they were all busy with there excuses, it was when this richmen commanded his servant to invite the street beggers, God too is calling anyone to his kingdom he's tired with those that make unnecesary excuses
This lesson challenges how we as Christian respond to those called gay. I have no doubt Jesus would have had interaction with them. But are we any different than the Pharisees in our first response and treatment of gay people and in former years, those with HIV/Aids. Read again "Under the banner of agape love-unmerited, non exclusive, universal, and sacrificial-Christ created a new family. This family reflects the original, universal and ideal concept enshrined in the Genesis creation, which attests that every human being is created in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27) and therefore, equal before Him.
Think about this the next time a discussion starts about those persons that are marginalised in our society and what is our response as a Christian.
I pray for myself first and for all others that we respond as Christ did.
Can you imagine if we all were living like the family God intended with one aim and destiny, how sweet our christian walk would be...oh my...."I can only imagine!!!!!! 🙂 Let us strive to live as "daddy" called us to & as big "brother" showed us to.So help us Lord..Amen
The Lord tried to teach His people that family included all inside and out of the people of God as long as those outside and inside conformed to Gods law. The example that comes to mind is Isiah 56:3,4,5,6,7,8 Those who have joined themselves to the Lord and keep His Sabbath are no longer sons or daughters of foreigners, eunuchs, or Gentiles, but part of the family of God. We have been washed in the fountain and cleansed by His blood. Most of us are Gentiles anyway, addopted into the family of God. Yes, the new family also known as the whole family(every human being is created in the image of God). Genius 1:26,27, Ephesians 3:15.
glory be to our Father and Lord Jesus Christ who broke all the barriers ,we are one big big family because there is no longer Greek ,Jew,slave ,bond ,regardless of colour ,creed ,race.May God Bless us all.
The lesson said, "Read Luke 8:19-21." So I did and it almost seems as though Jesus ignored His human family but why? In the sources that I have they all reference two parallel texts in other gospels: Mat 12:46 and Mar 3:21,31 which is the more interesting text because it gives some background as to why His mother and brothers were there trying to see Him.
Then ten verses later Mark basically says what Luke says, "Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, 'Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You'" (Mk. 3:31-32 NKJV). If we consider the purpose for their visit, to arrest one of their family who they thought was crazy and embarrassing the family by what He was doing, we might understand better why Jesus pointed to His disciples as His family.
To me it wasn't a rejection of family as much as it was a rejection of their purpose. To Jesus the family of God consists of those who align themselves with His objectives and at that point His entire family was out to end His ministry. Incidentally that includes most importantly James, the one who became the head of the church and writer of the book of James. It is doubtful that Mary would have been the one to instigate such a move since socially she was under the leadership of the eldest son, James.