Devotional:Jesus’ Family:Galatians 3:26-29

“Answering them, He said, ‘Who are My mother and My brothers’” (Mk. 3:33, NASB). “Looking about at those who were sitting around Him, He said, ‘Behold My mother and My brothers’” (v. 34)! “For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother” (v. 35).

I received a telephone call from one of my first cousins. My mother and her dad are sister and brother. She lives in Florida, so we don’t have contact with each other often. During our conversation we began to talk about the history of our family. She tells me that our nieces, her sister’s children, are really into learning about their family history. It seems that there are many people wanting to know about their family history. This interest in family history is not a modern day thing. If one reads the bible they will learn that the Jews kept records of their families. Although our family history according to the flesh is important, we learn through the reading of the scriptures that those who believe in Jesus are members of a spiritual family; a family whose Father is God.

In the Galatian text Paul is arguing that people from all human backgrounds are members in God’s family through Jesus. In Galatians Paul is declaring to people who think in terms of biological families that God has a family that is limited to Jews. Paul argues that Gentiles too are members of His family. This is because the family of God is made from people who have faith. They are descendants of Abraham, not by blood, but by faith. Those that are in Christ are sons of God. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28, NASB).

I am blessed to know about my family, especially those on my mother’s side. There is recorded history of my mother’s family dating back to the days of slavery. I am one of those in the fifth generation. Knowing the history of my family helps me to understand who I am, the things that I am interested in, and what motivates me to try to live my best life. When I think about my family, I am most happy to say that I come from a Christian family. To me, the evidence is right in front of my eyes. The majority of our family members have lived a decent life. Most of us are not bonded together by flesh and blood only. Based on what I read about our family gives strong implications that we are members in God’s family. We are a people that live by our faith in Jesus Christ. Being a member of God’s family is most important to me.

Prayer: God, I thank you for my human family and my family in Christ Jesus. Amen