Day 31: February 27

Matthew 12:38-50
 
SCRIPTURE HIGHLIGHT   
OBSERVATION
At first glance it may seem as if Jesus maybe neglecting His natural family but upon further observation what Jesus is really doing is redefining the true definition of the family of God.  

According to Jesus true family is whoever does the will of His Father in heaven.  Jesus said in Matthew 10:35-37 I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter, against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.  A person’s enemies will be those of his own household, anyone who loves their father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves their son, and daughter, more than Me is not worthy of Me.

Knowing the heart of God, Jesus is not calling us to rebel against or hate our family members. However, what He is calling us to is a higher level of devotion, dedication and reverence for God and His kingdom above all else.  There is no tradition, family relationship or earthly bond which goes beyond the bounds of God’s love for us.  He deserves the same loyalty and priority from us.

APPLICATION
The family that Jesus has created transcends the lines of biological family, tradition and cultural norms.  Jesus said if we do the will of God, we become His family members.  When we put our faith in Christ and trust Him, as our Lord and Savior, we become children of God, spiritually born again with a new mission, a new purpose, and a new allegiance to our new spiritual family. This becomes our priority and no other allegiance is higher or more important than this.  We literally become one with Christ our Savior.  Let’s be about our father’s business, do God’s will and become the family that Jesus envisioned us to be.  We can rejoice in this new call that God has called us to. We can walk in this promise, and embrace the fact that we are closer to our Father when we do His will here on earth.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we thank you that we are your family and that you consider us worthy enough to be called your children.  Lord when we do Your will it makes us closer to You but it also keeps us safe from the enemy.  Lord, we pray that we will do Your will, Your way and follow You wherever you might lead us and do whatever You tell us to do.  Our hope, trust and alliance are to You Lord.  We pray that earthly commitments and covenants will not distract us from being loyal and following Your call for our lives. We thank you for Your mercy and grace lead us to repentance. Fill us with Your Spirit as we walk in love and spread the gospel to more people to expand the kingdom of God to every creature, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus name Amen!!!