102 – How are you related to Jesus?
There are so many facets to your relationship with Jesus. Here a few obvious ones:
Jesus is all these things and they are beyond value
But Jesus is not just all these high and holy things to us. He refers to God as his Father and our Father (see John 20:17). That makes Jesus our brother since we have the same Father.
And Jesus called his disciples his friends (see John 15:14, 15). That can certainly apply to you and me as well, as long as we actually follow Jesus in what we say and do.
When you think about it, it’s amazingly wonderful we can know Jesus as our Lord our teacher, our Great Physician, but for him to also be our friend and brother makes the relationship even more meaningful.
But there's one more aspect of our relationship to Jesus that most folks never really consider.
We can be Jesus' mother
Before you start thinking I'm crazy, check out what Jesus says when his mother, his brothers and sisters can't get through the crowd to talk to him. He asks the crowd,
Matthew 12:48-50 ESV
48 "Who is my mother and who are my brothers?"
49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers!
50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
Here’s another example of why you can’t take the whole Bible literally. Jesus did not mean we become his literal mother. We don't turn into Mary. Only she could fill that role.
It's easier to see how we can be Jesus' brothers and sisters. But his mother? Really? Yes, really.
When you hear God’s voice and do God’s will, you are, in effect, “giving birth” to Jesus in your heart and in your life. Every time you obey God's will, Christ appears more clearly in your life and to those around you.
But think about the relationship a mother has with her child. A mother does not just give birth; she nurtures, loves, protects, teaches, and guides her child.
Every time you set aside your will to listen for and follow God's will, you are metaphorically mothering the baby Jesus, the toddler Jesus, the teenage Jesus, the grown man Jesus in your heart.
You are giving your love to the Cause of Christ just as you would to your own child.
I encourage you to embrace this aspect of your relationship with Jesus. It is close. It is intimate. It is powerful, full of love and support. It is holy.
As you give birth to and partner with Christlike thoughts and actions, nurture them and they will nurture you.
It all comes down to listening for, hearing, and doing God’s will. This is the very heart of prayer. In fact, every time you hear God’s voice and obey it, you are praying.
When you do this, you become a member of Jesus's immediate family.
Cherish all the ways you are related to Jesus.
James Early is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster and conducts Bible workshops online and in person. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Contact him here.
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James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life.
