The crowds were getting larger and larger that followed Jesus and His disciples. In these verses, many have crammed themselves into a private home to hear Jesus teach. No wonder Jesus’ family sent word into the house they were outside wanting to see Him…there was no way they could get into the packed house! When Jesus asked this question, “Who are My mother and My brothers?” He wasn’t showing disrespect, but rather saw it as a teachable moment. The story goes on in verses 34-35, ” Then He looked at those seated in a circle around Him and said, ‘Here are My mother and My brothers! Whoever does God’s Will is My brother and sister and mother.” Jesus wanted the crowd huddled around Him to see that they were just as highly regarded to Him as part of “The Family of God” as His own kin were.
Tag: the mighty name of Jesus
John 10:17-18 ” The reason My Father loves Me is that I lay down My life – only to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from My Father.”
By human standards it looked like Jesus had no control over His arrest, trial, crucifixion, and death. But here in these verses He emphatically states otherwise. Jesus was totally in control of every detail, every minute of that horrendous event…and He still is. When trials and tribulations come, remember that the same control and power Jesus had over His own life is at work in yours. Remember also, that nothing will ever happen to you that hasn’t already gone through your Heavenly Father’s hands first.
Luke 18:41 ” ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ ‘Lord, I want to see, he replied.’ “
The blind beggar was sitting by the side of the road near Jericho. As Jesus walked near, the crowd brought the blind man to Him. Jesus knew the beggar was blind, so why did He still ask him that question? “What do you want Me to do for you?” It says in Matthew 7:8, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” The Lord wants us to ask Him for the desires of our heart…even down to tiny things that only we care about. Asking the Lord for something to be given to us isn’t unspiritual or lacking faith…it’s quite the opposite. The Lord delights in us asking.
Psalm 118:22-23 ” The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.”
The story comes out of Matthew 21:42 where Jesus is quoting this Scripture to the chief priests and elders of the Temple…whom were not too happy about Him accusing them of rejecting the Messiah…namely Himself, Jesus. Continuing in the next verse, Jesus countered with, “Therefore, I tell you that the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” Jesus was offering the gift of salvation to Gentiles…building His Church from those willing to accept Him as Savior. And as Believers in Christ, we are the Church. To paraphrase Ephesians 2:20, We the Church, are God’s people, built on the foundation of all martyred apostles and prophets, with Jesus being the chief cornerstone.
John 6:44 “Jesus answered, ‘No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him and I will raise him up at the last day.’ “
God sent Jesus on a mission of rescue…lovely drawing us to Him and saving our souls. Psalm 91:14 says, ” ‘Because he loves Me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name.’ ” Jesus is still on that mission of rescue today…desiring none to perish.
Matthew 3:15 ” Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then John consented.”
Why was Jesus so insistent that John the Baptist baptize Him? Why would the Son of God need to submit to it at all? First for credibility…a sinless Jesus could identify with all sinners by humbling Himself to baptism. Secondly for obedience…Jesus demonstrated His total submission to His Heavenly Father in baptism. Finally for new beginnings…for this was the first step in the start of His public ministry here on earth.
Luke 24:18 ” They stood still, their faces downcast, one of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, ‘Are You only a vistor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?’ “
It was still on the third day that these two followers of Christ were trudging on the road to Emmaus. Disheartened and disillusioned , they had put their hope in this man named Jesus only to see Him die on a Cross. Yes, some crazy women had tried to convince them that He had risen from the dead, but they weren’t believing any of it. Suddenly, a man was walking along side them, asking what they were talking about. Cleopas was incredulous that this stranger didn’t know the events of the last few days. In more modern language, Cleopas might have exclaimed to Him – “Have you been living under a rock?!” And Jesus could have replied, “As a matter of fact, Yes, I have.”
John 8:42 ” Jesus said to them, ‘ If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on My own; but He sent Me.’ “
God sent His only Son to earth in order to save us from our sins. Jesus Christ came from God to take our place on that cross. So if you know God…you love Jesus…and if you love Jesus and accept Him as your Savior, your sins are forgiven…and when your sins are forgiven, you receive eternal life.
Mark 14:18 ” While they were reclining at the table eating, He said, ‘ I tell you the truth, one of you will betray Me – one who is eating with Me.’ “
Unfortunately, Jesus could say this of many of us. We like to hang out with Jesus, but when the going gets tough, we break faith. Fear, embarrassment, not wanting to offend, wishing to be politically correct will all cause us to deny Him to some degree. When someone questions our religion, or mocks our Christian walk we cave and shy away from taking a stand. Yes, we love to just hang with Jesus…but only when we’re not forced into a difficult situation and have to choose.
In Christ Jesus…You are more than a conqueror.
” I can’t do it.” Do you know that’s music to Satan’s ears? All he has to do is whisper, “You can’t do that.” and we usually cave in. For doubt is the biggest culprit of our disobedience to the Lord. If we could somehow not only realize, but allow the concept to settle deep into our souls, that it’s God doing the work and not us, we would become invincible. So the next time Satan is spreading doubt, remind him…I can do all things with the help of Christ, for it is the Lord, not me, working out His plan and purpose in my life…so back off Satan, and watch what God and I can do!
Safetypinlove 