PB Devotion
Along with apostles (special messengers(the 11)) and disciples (dedicated followers) was Jesus family in the upper room.
“Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And are not His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And His sisters, are they not [living here] among us? Where then did this Man get all this [wisdom and power]?” And they took offense at Him [refusing to believe in Him]. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” And He did not do many miracles there [in Nazareth] because of their unbelief.”
Matthew 13:55-58 AMP
So his family went about their lives but Jesus moved forward with the mission. They did not serve Him or serve with Him. They were not apostles nor disciples. They were His family. John the Baptist (Elizabeths child) was his 2nd cousin. He told of the coming of Christ and baptized Jesus in water but continued his own ministry. James and John (Brothers of Thunder/Mary Salome children) were His 1st cousins and they were with Him faithfully. They were His family. This same John was at the foot of the cross, (the one that Jesus loved) charged to take care of his aunt; the mother of Jesus. He would not only take care of her natural needs but her spiritual needs. He truly believed that Jesus was the Messiah.
“Someone said to Him, “Look! Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside asking to speak to You.” But Jesus replied to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And stretching out His hand toward His disciples [and all His other followers], He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven [by believing in Me, and following Me] is My brother and sister and mother.””
Matthew 12:47-50 AMP
He does not reject His attachment to or responsibility for His immediate family. Jesus was the oldest of the children and therefore by tradition carried the responsibility of His family. Biblical law gave preference to the firstborn son. He had the rights to a double portion of his fathers possession. He recieved a double portion because he also inherited the responsibility for the family. Jesus was not only the first born of His natural family but Jesus is the firstborn of God. He uses this moment to radically enlarge the idea of what it means to be a family. Jesus was not subtracting; He was adding those who do the will of the Father. And although His family really didn’t see Him as Messiah until after the resurrection, God saw fit that 6 or 7 of the New Testament books were written by His family. Your family is a decision God made about you. It can never be changed, altered or dismissed. What are you doing with your family? What part do you play in your family and with those who do the will of the Father?
For 40 days after the resurrection Jesus visits and speaks with the apostles, disciples and His family. They are all in the upper room when the Holy Spirit comes upon them. They all received His final gift; the gift of His Spirit poured out.
The Road to Pentecost
“Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And are not His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And His sisters, are they not [living here] among us? Where then did this Man get all this [wisdom and power]?” And they took offense at Him [refusing to believe in Him]. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” And He did not do many miracles there [in Nazareth] because of their unbelief.”
Matthew 13:55-58 AMP
So his family went about their lives but Jesus moved forward with the mission. They did not serve Him or serve with Him. They were not apostles nor disciples. They were His family. John the Baptist (Elizabeths child) was his 2nd cousin. He told of the coming of Christ and baptized Jesus in water but continued his own ministry. James and John (Brothers of Thunder/Mary Salome children) were His 1st cousins and they were with Him faithfully. They were His family. This same John was at the foot of the cross, (the one that Jesus loved) charged to take care of his aunt; the mother of Jesus. He would not only take care of her natural needs but her spiritual needs. He truly believed that Jesus was the Messiah.
“Someone said to Him, “Look! Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside asking to speak to You.” But Jesus replied to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And stretching out His hand toward His disciples [and all His other followers], He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven [by believing in Me, and following Me] is My brother and sister and mother.””
Matthew 12:47-50 AMP
He does not reject His attachment to or responsibility for His immediate family. Jesus was the oldest of the children and therefore by tradition carried the responsibility of His family. Biblical law gave preference to the firstborn son. He had the rights to a double portion of his fathers possession. He recieved a double portion because he also inherited the responsibility for the family. Jesus was not only the first born of His natural family but Jesus is the firstborn of God. He uses this moment to radically enlarge the idea of what it means to be a family. Jesus was not subtracting; He was adding those who do the will of the Father. And although His family really didn’t see Him as Messiah until after the resurrection, God saw fit that 6 or 7 of the New Testament books were written by His family. Your family is a decision God made about you. It can never be changed, altered or dismissed. What are you doing with your family? What part do you play in your family and with those who do the will of the Father?
For 40 days after the resurrection Jesus visits and speaks with the apostles, disciples and His family. They are all in the upper room when the Holy Spirit comes upon them. They all received His final gift; the gift of His Spirit poured out.
The Road to Pentecost
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