|
Two
recent events prompted these thoughts concerning relatives.
The
first was reading something in the life of Jesus;
the
second, was a woman speaking of her mother’s death.
The
woman regretted that, at her mother’s passing, she’d failed to say how much
she loved her. She had often told her mother she loved her, but not at
the moment of her death. Many people must sense this same sadness.
The woman’s sorrow appears perfectly natural.
The
event in Jesus’ life found Him talking to a house full of people when, it is
written, He was told,
Matthew
1247.
Your mother
& brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.
Strangely He replied
1248 & 50.
Who is my mother, & who are my brothers? ... ... whoever does the will of my
Father in heaven is my brother & sister & mother.
This is not the only occasion when Jesus seemed to respond to His
close relatives in an unnatural way. Comparing the woman and Jesus we could
be left thinking hers was a right attitude and His was not!
But consider what He says. He doesn’t discount His close
relatives. He carefully identifies and characterises those who are real
relatives -
whoever does the will of my Father in heaven.
He
offers open access to a relationship with Himself and His Father. He doesn’t
disregard His family but enlarges it.
You
might ask, What is the will of the Father in heaven?
Jesus
teaches that God’s wants us to come to Him,
confess
our sins and ask forgiveness in Jesus Name.
Then we
have this promise
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins
and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 19
|