No Reserved Seats

~~~ Ezra 6:7-8, 12B, 14-20 ~~~ Psalm 122 ~~~ Luke 8:19-21 ~~~

 “My mother and my brothers 

are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

The crowd was so great around Jesus that his 

own family members could not enter the structure.

Mary was not given VIP tickets...

she did not have reserved seats in the front.

She was virtually denied entrance.

She had no access to her own son, Jesus.

I wonder if Mary was surprised?

She certainly had traveled with great enthusiasm 

in her heart to see and hear Jesus.

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Wherever Jesus is present is the house of the Lord.

Jesus does not go out of his way to see Mary,

instead he sends a somewhat confusing message.

 “My mother and my brothers 

are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

At that very moment Jesus expanded the definition of his family.

He broke down the traditional family boundaries.

He opened family to include his whole church.

If you follow Jesus...hear his words...act accordingly,

then you are part of the family...His family...the family of God.

The book of Ezra provides details of the building of the church...

the physical structure...the place dedicated to worship.

Jesus takes the whole concept of church and extends it to the people.

So what is 'church'...is it the bricks and mortar...

or is it the flesh and blood.

Jesus makes us his living church.

We are the ones who can hear his word.

We are the ones who can live the message.

The structure is a common meeting place 

where we gather as one to receive his words.

We are in the family.

We are sent out to carry on the family business...

A business of forgiveness, compassion, and mercy.

Are you up to the task?

Do you consider yourself 'part of the family'?

Do your actions and attitudes align with those of Jesus?

Blessed to be included in the family of God.

Strive to be the best family member you can be.

~~~Peace~~~

You are Family

~~~ EX 14:21—15:1 ~~~ Psalm (Exodus 15) ~~~

~~~ Matthew 12:46-50 ~~~

The story of how God saved his people from the Egyptians

 is recounted in the book of Exodus in great detail.

Over the years many film makers have taken such scenes as this one

and made grand movies for us.

We love to see all of the graphic details.

Even without the silver screen we get the picture.

God rendered his justice upon the wicked followers of Pharaoh.

At the same time God saved his chosen ones in a magnificent fashion.

Parents will do most anything to protect their children

even if it requires sacrifice on their part.

Parents will come to their children in times of need.

It is our natural instinct.

The Blessed Mother was no different...

She was concerned for the well being of her son, Jesus.

While Jesus was speaking to the crowds,

his mother and his brothers appeared outside,

wishing to speak with him.

Some of the followers of Jesus 

have told Mary that Jesus is in danger.

He has been quite critical of the rulers and others.

It is becoming obvious that his life may be in jeopardy.

When Mary, along with other family members,

arrive to the place where Jesus is preaching

they send word to Jesus.

They want him to come out to speak with them.

If my child was in danger I too would try to intervene...

to talk some sense into him.

Jesus' reaction was not expected...

Jesus responded in such a manner

as to challenge and expand Mary's heart.

He does not send the message that he would be right out.

Instead he looks at the crowd and labels 

them as part of his family.

 ...stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said,

“Here are my mother and my brothers.

For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father

is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

Jesus stretches out his hand as if to bless the crowd...

he stretches out his hand and gathers them to himself as family.

You too are gathered to Jesus...

You too are part of his family...

You too stand beneath his outstretched hand.

God protected the people with Moses...

Mary came to Jesus because she was concerned for his safety...

Jesus claimed those who do the will of the Father

as his brothers, sisters, and even mother.

You are Blessed...part of the family...

adopted and chosen...

loved, and protected from harm.

~~~Peace~~~