What about our family?

Dealing with Difficult Relatives

by Max Lucado

www.maxlucado.com

Does Jesus have anything to say about dealing with difficult relatives? Is there an example of Jesus bringing peace to a painful family? Yes, there is.

His own.

It may surprise you to know that Jesus had a difficult family. If your family doesn't appreciate you, take heart, neither did Jesus'.

"His family ... went to get him because they thought he was out of his mind" (Mark 3:21).

Jesus' siblings thought their brother was a lunatic. They weren't proud—they were embarrassed!

It's worth noting that he didn't try to control his family's behavior, nor did he let their behavior control his. He didn't demand that they agree with him. He didn't sulk when they insulted him. He didn't make it his mission to try to please them.

Each of us has a fantasy that our family will be like the Waltons, an expectation that our dearest friends will be our next of kin. Jesus didn't have that expectation. Look how he defined his family: "My true brother and sister and mother are those who do what God wants" (Mark 3:35).

When Jesus' brothers didn't share his convictions, he didn't try to force them. He recognized that his spiritual family could provide what his physical family didn't. If Jesus himself couldn't force his family to share his convictions, what makes you think you can force yours?

Having your family's approval is desirable but not necessary for happiness and not always possible. Jesus did not let the difficult dynamic of his family overshadow his call from God. And because he didn't, this chapter has a happy ending.

What happened to Jesus' family?

Mine with me a golden nugget hidden in a vein of the Book of Acts. "Then [the disciples] went back to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.... They all continued praying together with some women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and Jesus' brothers" (Acts 1:12, 14, emphasis added).

What a change! The ones who mocked him now worship him. The ones who pitied him now pray for him. What if Jesus had disowned them? Or worse still, what if he'd suffocated his family with his demand for change?

He didn't. He instead gave them space, time, and grace. And because he did, they changed. How much did they change? One brother became an apostle (Gal. 1:19) and others became missionaries (1 Cor. 9:5).

So don't lose heart. God still changes families.

From He Still Moves Stones

Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 1999) Max Lucado

We are not our own

"The God to Whom I Belong" 

Greg Laurie 

www.harvest.org

"For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.' "

— Acts 27:23–24

There are a number of analogies in the Bible that illustrate how we belong to God. For instance, we are called the bride of Christ. We are also compared to sheep that belong to a shepherd. Jesus said that He is the Good Shepherd, and we are His sheep (see John 10).

Sometimes we romanticize sheep, not realizing they are among the stupidest animals on earth. It should not inflate us with pride to know that we are compared to sheep. But it does remind us that just as a shepherd keeps watch over his sheep, God watches over us.

We are also compared to children. Romans 8:15 says, "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.' " Abba was the affectionate cry of Hebrew children for their fathers. Even in Israel today, you will hear children calling their fathers "Abba." It is loving. It is endearing. It is close. And we have that kind of access to God.

Finally we are referred to as God's actual property. We read in 1 Corinthians 6:19, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?" God has reassured us of this by putting His seal on us as a king would seal his property. We belong to God.

An older gentleman who was known for his godly life was asked what he does when he is tempted. He replied, "Well, I just look up to heaven and say, 'Lord, your property is in danger.' "

You are God's bride. You are His sheep. You are His child. You are His property. So rejoice!