“What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet.” Psalm 8:4-6; Hebrews 2: 6b-8
“In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering, Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.” Hebrews 2: 10-11
We, Christians who have accepted Christ, are all in God’s family. If you have not accepted Christ, God’s invitation is before you, and He desires you accept it.
Most of us have heard and contemplated that idea before: we are all in God’s family. Have you ever thought about Jesus in terms of a brother?
I had not, until this past week. My oldest daughter and I are working our way through Hebrews and when we hit that verse, we camped on it.
We think of Jesus as the Messiah, our Redeemer, our Lamb of God. Brother? Brother almost implies we are all on the same ground. And we humans are not anywhere near the holiness of Christ.
Yet, God authored it in Hebrews so what did He mean?
Brothers with Christ. What would it look like to have Christ as a brother?
I grew up with a sister and no brothers. I always wanted an older brother, but never got one. In high school, I “adopted” older male friends as brothers and that did not always work out so well. Finally, in college, a cousin who had lived out-of-state, moved somewhat nearby. He became like an older brother to me. He would call me, check-in on me, take me out to eat. Someone really cared about me. Although I was far from family and where I grew up, God gifted me with this relative who cared for me.
Jesus as a brother. He cares for us. He also wants to obey and serve the Father. Jesus would do anything for us, as a good brother would. He gave His life for us, ever so willingly. I cannot fathom the extent of His deep love for us!
If we are all as brothers, then what we do in those heated moments does not permanently offend. We forgive each other. Christ forgives us and never holds a grudge. (In fact, He intervenes on our behalf to God).
I think of my girls, often intervening for one another. “Mom, she was really tired, can’t you extend her some grace?” Christ went so much further. A place we could never go. He was holy. And He came down to earth to live as we live, but without sin, without ever making any mistake to separate himself from God. He did it because God authored it. He wanted to honor and obey His Father.
Would you ever go to such lengths to honor and obey your earthly father? How about your Heavenly Father?
Our deepest desires should be to serve one another. Not just us serving God and proclaiming Christ. We should also be willing to serve other Christians. We should be willing to serve those who have yet to make that decision to join God’s family.
If we are to be Christlike, or Christian, then we should happily serve one another. If Christ is willing to call me a brother (or sister), then I should be willing to view others in that fashion too. Not always easy. Not always lovely. Yet, through Christ, always possible.
Reflections:
1) How are your relationships with your relatives?
2) How are your relationships with your church family?
3) Do your relationships please God?
4) What limits do you impose on how to honor your parents?; God?
5) How do you think God sees your actions? What needs to change?
Please pray for all relationships: Family, friends, church. Ask God to show you how to strengthen those relationships and glorify God in the process.
Thanks for reading! Please know we have a community here praying for your relationships. Please feel free to comment your thoughts and perspectives on these ideas! Have a wonderful week! Please return by Monday, February 11 for the next post.