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I know so many families who are being splintered and divided. Everywhere I turn I see God’s
people hurting. It seems as if families are falling apart more often.

What is happening?

This past weekend, my son Jonathan was the minister for the weekend. His topic was the
family. If you did not listen yet, go view the sermon on the Trinity Facebook page. It’s
powerful.

The scripture he used was Matthew 12:46. I’m going to read it, and I want you to consider being
Mary or one of the brothers of Jesus that day, and what it meant for this family. Then I want you
to think of what those words mean for you or your family today.

“While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside,
wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing
outside, wanting to speak to you.” He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his
disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of
my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

His words were radical. In a patriarch or patrilineal society, this was unheard of.
Jesus redefined the term family.

He spoke about how family members in God’s family unit were to act.
….and he pointed toward the crowd so they wouldn’t mistake the moment of how God was
championing the ones present that day – as many were busy building the kingdom.

Yet, in that same moment, it also spoke to the ones on the bench and compelled them to get
involved in the family business.

Some probably received great hope that day, as we do when we read or hear those words.
But I bet there were also some who were indignant.

Mary might have been confused, as in what in the world are you saying son. I’m your mom.
Ironically, she was busy building the kingdom by having the son of God. Right?

Yet, just like Mary and her other sons heard those words, so do we in the day we live. We are
invited to step in and to step up our efforts in returning love back to the father and leaving
behind cheap words that keep us immobilized.

Today, I want to encourage you. No matter what you are walking through or the decisions you
are contemplating as you move forward with the will of God for your life, you are part of God’s
family.

He will be there for you in the river and through the flames. Listen to God’s word to His
children out of Isaiah 4:3:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

Hold on to your heavenly Father, knowing He cares for you. Just like Mary, we all have been
called to represent the kingdom. What an honor!