The Relationship Ladder

~~~ Hebrews 10:1-10 ~~~ Psalm 40 ~~~ Mark 3:31-35 ~~~

And looking around at those seated in the circle he said,

“Here are my mother and my brothers.

For whoever does the will of God

is my brother and sister and mother.”

At first the words of Jesus are shocking.

His initial response when told his mother and brothers 

are waiting to see him catches us off guard.

He says, Who are my mother and brothers?

Certainly Jesus knew his family members.

Why would he respond in such a manner?

Why would he seemingly be discounting his mother?

Those who had come to listen to Jesus 

were sitting in a circle.

When you sit in a circle it is a 

very intimate seating arrangement.

Jesus was surrounded. 

He was teaching to those he considered his 'family'.

If you are willing to hear his message...

then you are part of his family.

Those seated around Jesus were in effect saying...

 Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

Jesus tells those in his circle

if they do his will each one of them

 is his mother, brother, or sister.

Notice he does not consider them his Father.

Jesus never put anyone above or equal to the Father.

The question we may ask ourselves...

Does Jesus consider me to be one of his brothers or sisters?

How do we feel about that role?

Would I treat Jesus the same way

 I treat my earthly brothers and sisters?

That is surely food for thought.

We are commanded to love our neighbor as our-self.

What about our brothers and sisters,

are they included? Are they on a higher rung 

of the relationship ladder?

The words from Jesus are far 

more inclusive than a typical family view.

Following the will of God you are seated

 in the circle surrounding Jesus.

Following the will of God allows you to move up 

to the next rung on the relationship ladder.

Blessings abound for those who do the will of God.

He Blesses us as we follow his call.

~~~Peace~~~

Just Below the Surface

~~~ Hebrews 10: 32-39 ~~~ Psalm 37 ~~~ Mark 4: 26-34 ~~~

 

"...You need endurance to do the will of God

and receive what he has promised...

...We are not among those who draw back and perish,
but among those who have faith and will possess life..."

 

It takes perseverance to do the will of God.

At times you must endure things you would have rather chosen to avoid.

 

In order to receive what he has promised we will have times of trials

and even times of doubt.

 

Doing the will of God changed the life of Mary and Joseph.

Doing the will of God changed each of the disciples.

They each left their former life to follow Jesus.

 

They dropped their nets and walked away from their money bags

all because they wanted to do the will of God.

 

 

When you chose to do the will of God

you must proceed with faith.

Many times you cannot see that what you are doing

is actually the will of God.

Just like when the farmer plants his crops he cannot see

if the seeds are growing until they break forth from the ground.

Much of the growth takes place below the surface and may never be seen.

 

So it is when we are doing the will of God much happens

below the surface deep within the heart.

It is our faith that keeps us the endurance we need.

 

When you allow God to take control of your life

the results will surprise even you.

 

"...Of its own accord the land yields fruit,
first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once,
for the harvest has come."

Little by little you become what God wants to make of you.

You learn to take delight in the Lord

with each passing day.

Increase my faith, Lord, so that I may trust that you are working

in my life just below the surface.

Seated in the Circle

~~~ Hebrews 10:1-10 ~~~ Psalm 40 ~~~ Mark 3: 31-35 ~~~

 

 

And looking around at those seated in the circle he said,
“Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of God
is my brother and sister and mother.”

 

If you are seated with those encircling Jesus he considers you a part of his family.

If you are spiritually related to Jesus he names you more than just friend,

but actually his mother and brother (or sister).

 

If you are seated with Jesus are you also willing to do the will of God?

Or do you just want to sit at his feet and be a passive participant?

You cannot be apathetic and be in the company of Jesus.

 

When what we want is congruent with what God wants

from us everything is going well.

But look at what Jesus endured and sacrificed to do the will of the Father.

 

If you think following Jesus will be easy you are not living in reality.

One sure way of making this journey better though is to

give thanks for all that you have received...

for all that God has done for you.

 

We can go through all sorts of forms of prayer

making ourselves appear to be more holy,

but unless we can echo the words...

Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

we are wasting our time.

 

 

It is our heart that must be willing to let the will of God

manifest itself in our life....

actually through our life in our actions and intentions.

 

Making a commitment to allow God's will to be first in our life

 is a constant act of surrendering.

Daily we must submit ourselves to,

his will in our lives.

Daily we must accept those things we cannot change.

Daily we must face the challenge to become better

than we were the day before.

 

If we are striving to do the will of God in our lives

we will find greater joy.

We will be more at peace with ourselves and with those around us.

The will of God in our lives requires more love;

loving beyond what we think is possible.

 

So we come back to the question...

can you sit in the circle surrounding Jesus and speak the words

Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

 

Lord, it is only through your grace that we can follow in your footsteps.

Lead the way...but please be patient with me.