Dear Explorer,
Read Matthew 12:43-45
and
Read Luke 11:24-26
Many people try to clean up their lives without Jesus. Bookstores are filled with self-help books and the internet will advise you on how to self-improve. Even Benjamin Franklin wrote a plan for self-improvement. It's called the 13 Virtues. He was not a follower of Jesus, but he wanted to SELF-improve. His conclusion was that focusing on the virtues only made him worse – not better! Here Jesus reminds us that if the core is empty – it will just get re-filled with something else – usually worse! The only thing that will fit and fully satisfy a God-shaped vacuum is God.
It is a sad fact that many people repent of their sins, but never invite Jesus to come in and be their new control center. As a result, they often become very religious and often angry or bitter.
Read Mark 3:20-21
Here we see Jesus handling the large crowds, healing the sick and demon possessed, and debating with the Pharisees. And if that is not enough, who shows up?
His family (KJV says His friends). Now we don't know much about Jesus' earthly family except that after his death and resurrection, His half-brother James becomes a leader in the early church, and he wrote the book of James in our New Testament. And another half-brother, Jude, wrote the book of Jude, to defend against false teachings. His mother was probably supportive of His ministry, but at this point in time his brothers were probably not followers.
You need to know that sometimes well-meaning family members or close friends can interfere with God's leading in your life and you will have to choose which one to obey. While we want to honor our father and mother and show love and respect for our earthly family, nothing should stand in the way of our being obedient to God's direction in our life.
So, what happened? Keep reading!
Read Matthew 12:46-50
Matthew doesn't tell us the outcome. But we see Jesus calmly continuing to teach.
What value does Jesus place on us if we are obedient to God?
Read Mark 3:31-35
and
Read Luke 8:19-21
Jesus says you are His family if you do what?
Are you part of Jesus' family?
And, no, we don't know if his family ever got close enough to talk with Him. But we know that He continued to preach and teach and heal and minister and to fulfill God's plan for His life.
Family is vitally important, and we must honor and respect and build that relationship. But nothing, not even family, is more important that doing God's will and becoming all that He has planned.
In His service, dale
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