Day 112 "I want to be adopted, don't you?"

Day 112 Matthew 12:46-50 While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You." But He answered and said to the one who told Him, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?" And He stretched out His hand toward the disciples and said, "Here are my mother and brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother." Before going on, it would be good to note that it is generally accepted as fact that Jesus’ brothers did not believe that He was the messiah until after His resurrection. While it does shed some light on why Jesus responded as He did, it shouldn't really surprise us that they didn't believe Him; after all, they had seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of Jesus who, remember, was born of the flesh. Not to mention He was, of course, the older brother. For some reason, it is far beyond the comprehension of my little pea brain that the savior of all mankind insists that those of us who have chosen to follow God (I Am) are brothers and sisters with Him. How can that be and, even more crazy, why would that be? Why not call us servants or slaves? After all, we are not gods–we are human flesh and susceptible to human reactions, based upon fleshly perspectives and confinements. He, on the other hand, is a spiritual being; capable of creating, destroying, or anything else that He darn well pleases or wills. Yet He, knowing that and so much more, chooses by His own will to call us His brothers and sisters, if we do the will of His Father. Again, wow! Yes, there is a condition to being placed in the status of brothers and sisters, albeit simple to choose and at times difficult to accomplish; we all are capable of doing so. What does it mean to do "the will of the Father"? Personally, I like the description in Galatians 5:6 ". . .but faith working through love." The will of the Father is that we would believe in who Jesus is, follow Him and live a life that is, to the best of our fleshly ability, like the example He set–one of unconditional love. So, what does it mean to be brothers and sisters of Christ? What are our responsibilities? Well, first of all, unlike our fleshly brothers and sisters who we can either agree or disagree with, they are always our brothers and sisters. However, with Christ we are adopted into His family as a conditional matter. We are immediately adopted once we accept Him and agree to do the will of our Father. Therefore, there is a condition and a requirement to being a member of this family–to live by faith and walk in love. So, the question today is this, "How are you doing with being a part of the family?" If you are looking for a test, read 1 Corinthians 13, and ask yourself how you're doing and react accordingly. The good news is, once you’re adopted into this family, it's eternal! Daily Prayer: Father, I pray that I would be able to not just be a member of this family, but rather to be an active and successful member of this family. Teach me, Lord, how to do Your will. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. "I want to be adopted, don't you?" Pastor Gene Burroughs