And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, He said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!”
Have you ever felt alone? Loneliness can come at different times for different reasons. Loneliness is peculiar in that you would think that you would have to be alone to be lonely, but this just isn’t the case. People can feel lonely for a myriad of reasons including but not limited to a sense that no one can relate to them and their experiences, that no one cares, or that no one values who they are. The feeling of isolation that loneliness can produce can feel like oppression. We weren’t made to live like this.
Jesus placed us in families and friend groups that we call community because He intended us to do life together. Sometimes, because of the brokenness or sin of humanity, these relationships can feel unstable or missing. We can find ourselves questioning our actions with questions like, “How can I perform to be accepted?” or “What must I do to fit in?” Questions can also turn from actions to identity when community doesn’t look or feel as we expect: “What’s wrong with me?” or “Why did God make me this way?”
Loneliness is a dangerous place. If we are not careful, we will allow the enemy to answer each and every one of these questions for us. When he does, the answers will steal, kill, and destroy us no matter how much we think the answers make sense.
Family and friends can keep us guessing. Jesus makes things simple.
How do you be a part of the family of Jesus? How do you live in community with Him?
Jesus puts it this way: For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.
If you want to be family to Jesus, just follow Him in obedience to our Father in Heaven. If you want to cast away the lies of worthlessness and insufficient value, turn your eyes upon Jesus.
What’s wrong with you? Nothing.
Why did God make you this way? Because He needed a smile and you are His delight.
How can you perform to be accepted? You can’t. Jesus already did all that needs doing. Just follow Him in obeying whatever God says.
What must you do to fit in? Jesus isn’t trying to keep you out… there’s a place for you in His family.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to simply receive His gift of family. Perhaps you have been obedient to God, but you are struggling to receive your place in His family. Maybe you have received Jesus, but you have been afraid of community. Perhaps you have been hearing a little too much of the enemy lately regarding who you are and what you must do. Maybe God wants to change that. Perhaps God wants you to receive your identity and acceptance in Him and His family.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a step today… just one is fine.
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*Leon, Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew. Pillar New Testament Commentary (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1992), 330–332, and Keener, C. S., Matthew (Vol. 1, Mt 12:46-50) (InterVarsity Press, 1997).