There is truly treasure packed all throughout scripture for us to find as we study and pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us. While it may be good for a beginner in the faith to read the Bible in a year to get an overview of the whole historical account, let us take caution that there is also great value in going more slowly. Taking it one bite at a time and thoroughly going through it, pausing and praying. Considering verses that may otherwise be overlooked in our hurry to read 3 chapters a day.
Yeshua was teaching and sharing parables with crowds. His biological mother and brothers were trying to get to Him. Yeshua took that opportunity, not to disparage His earthly family, but to highlight another important perspective for us as believers and followers of Christ. While blood relatives are important and are an important organizational structure in society (refer to the organizing of God’s people by tribes throughout the Bible), we should also be keen to focus on the strong relationship that should exist between fellow believers. I should not overlook that fellow believers and followers in Christ are like brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers. We should hold them close, support one another, and work together with grace for one another.
19And His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd. 20And it was reported to Him, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You.” 21But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”
As you go throughout your day engaging in life with other believers and followers of Christ, remind yourself to think about them as brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers in Christ. It may seem a subtle shift, but I find myself suddenly willing to engage more and help more, supporting one another. I find myself naturally extending more grace to them, more kindness and gentleness, more love. They are not simply strangers, but family in Christ.
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