February 18

today's reading: Mark 3: 7-30

Family Ties

Speaking of "family" brings up a whole gamut of emotions for most people.

There are many kinds of families. Some are healthy in their function, and some are not so healthy.

But ideally, "family" should hold a warm place in our hearts.

Family, functioning properly,  is a place of enrichment, a place of refuge in times of trouble, a place of joy in times of blessing.

Family teaches us how to love, how to play, how to fight, how to forgive.

Family, at it's best, shows us unconditional acceptance, and nurtures us to become confident in our abilities.

So after the Lord Jesus is told that his mother and brothers are waiting outside to speak to him, it seems odd that He does not respond with joy.

What do you think this scripture is revealing about the family relationship He had with them? Or was He just using this as a "teachable moment" for His followers?

Christ shows us, by his reaction, how precious those are to Him who believe in Him as the Son of the Living God, who receive Him as Savior and Redeemer, and who submit to His authority over their lives.

He is not ashamed to call us His own.
In all of our failure, all of our inadequacy, all of our complaining and misery, He loves us unconditionally and with an everlasting love!

Don't you want to live forever in HIS FOREVER FAMILY?