If I want to be considered a “Daddy,” then I need to be involved in my children’s lives rather than just be some guy who fathered them.
It’s the same, of course, for being a “Mommy” or “Grandpa.”
The fact is that the idea of “family” is measured by committed, nurturing relationships, not by DNA.
You and I know people who have blood relatives with whom they have no emotional or practical connection.
That’s not “family” in my book.
Jesus viewed family as something other than DNA patterns.
“My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” (Luke 8:21)
You’ll recall the context of this verse as explained in other gospels is that Jesus’ mom and siblings wanted to take Jesus away from ministering because they thought He had become emotionally or mentally unstable.
He surely didn’t appreciate their confused meddling, but He refrained from criticizing them.
Instead, Jesus defined what “family” was to Him.
The question for you and me is this: Does Jesus see us as family?
Does He see us hearing God’s Word and putting it into practice with how we live, with how we speak, with how we pray, etc.?
Just before this segment in Luke 8, Jesus said that nobody lights a lamp and hides it under a basket.
Let your light shine today at work or at home or at school or in the neighbohood.
Forgive.
Encourage.
Donate generously.
Resist temptation.
It’s what family does for each other.
As always, I love you
Martin
