Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3 : 34 - 35

Bible reading : Mark 3 : 20 – 35

Thought for the week

Jesus laid aside many things in His ministry. His rightful place in heaven to come to earth and be amongst us who are so frail and needing in faith. He put aside the peace of heaven to be baptised and tested, questioned and even humiliated. He took off His outer robe to wash His disciples’ feet in humility, and even gave up His life on the Cross for our forgiveness and the invitation to salvation and New Life.

In our reading early in Mark’s Gospel Jesus lays aside His earthly family, His mother and brothers, to take up the family of faith, or all those who willingly turn to Jesus and believe in Him. This also means His mother and very likely His brothers (James, Joses, Jude and Simon) who do believe in Him. Also His sisters!

Each time Jesus lays something aside, we as human beings, gain so much. To be able to know the Lord for ourselves. To know we have a Friend, and Saviour, our true King, in Jesus. To know the truth of Jesus’ love for us. To know we belong to a new family of believers across the world when we believe.

The past months have not weakened, but strengthened the family of faith in Jesus. Let us celebrate that we belong to one another, and that through faith Jesus has gathered us to Himself.

Rev Paul

Prayer for today

God of truth,

help us to keep your law of love

and to walk in ways of wisdom,

that we may find true life

in Jesus Christ your Son. Amen.