Jesus Changes Everything

 Resurgence Weekly Devotion

Today:  Jesus Changes Relationships 

Read Matthew 12:46-50

46 While He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. 47 Someone said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You.”[a] 48 But [b]Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” 49 And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”

Jesus has a way of changing the way we look at things around us.   He gives us a perspective that sometimes can be difficult or even confusing.   In this passage today Jesus uses a teaching tool that He often uses to bring an important truth to His followers and those around Him.  While He was in the middle of the crowds His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him.

Someone immediately points out to Jesus they want to speak to Him.  His response is confusing and yet very typical in how Jesus taught.   He responded to this statement with a question.   He asks, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?”  

Why would Jesus have asked this question?  

 To someone in the crowd the answer is obvious – because your mom and brothers are standing right there!'

But Jesus changes everything.   Turning toward His disciples he says, “Behold My mother and My brothers!” 

How would you have felt at that moment if you were one of the disciples?

Jesus used this opportunity to communicate a bigger truth.    What is that truth? 

The family of God is our family.   Let that sink in.   He is declaring to us today that either we already are or that we can be His family.

Jesus wasn’t necessarily saying that His mother and brothers were not His family, but He was bringing into the crowd the reality of a life lived in faith.   You can be a part of Jesus’ family.

How? (verse 50)

Jesus answers it.  “Whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”

There is a higher calling to everything Jesus did.   He lived to honor His heavenly Father and bring glory to Him in all things.   His response of who His family was changed everything.   We have to respond as well and do what God calls us to do.   Trust Him and His Word and live it out daily.  

What happens?   Relationships change and we become a part of the family of God.   It takes faith that God gives through His Son Jesus Christ, and it takes obedience to live out that faith in the world around us. 

Jesus changes us inside and out, and He also changes how we see people around us.   Today we need to pray to see these changed relationships and love one another as Christ calls us to love.

In Him,

Rev. Dwight Hedges