The Tie That Binds
Adherence to God's will and way.
Jesus’ words about family might sound harsh at first — redefining kinship not by birth or blood, but by doing the will of God. But Psalm 133 reminds us that there’s deep goodness in this kind of unity: How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity.
Jesus isn’t rejecting his family; he’s expanding the definition of family from bloodlines to purpose. He’s forming a new kind of household, built not on birth but on shared obedience, compassion, and love. And that kind of spiritual family is meant to be a source of joy, not exclusion — a goodness that runs deep.
This would be good news to people without traditional family experiences…if the Church would adopt it.
Mark 3:31-35
His mother and brothers arrived. They stood outside and sent word to him, calling for him. A crowd was seated around him, and those sent to him said, “Look, your mother, brothers, and sisters are outside looking for you.”
He replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Looking around at those seated around him in a circle, he said, “Look, here are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does God’s will is my brother, sister, and mother.”
Psalm 133
Look at how good and pleasing it is when families live together as one!
It is like expensive oil poured over the head, running down onto the beard—Aaron’s beard!—which extended over the collar of his robes. It is like the dew on Mount Hermon streaming down onto the mountains of Zion, because it is there that the Lord has commanded the blessing: everlasting life.
Prayer
God,
Thank you for the family you’re forming —not bound by blood, but by love, not limited by history, but open to hope. Do you think we can actually do this, Lord?
Help us to live as kindred in Christ, doing your will with compassion and grace, becoming a household where no one is left out, especially those who’ve been hurt or forgotten by their own.
Teach your Church to adopt the wide welcome of Jesus, to expand its arms beyond comfort and custom, and to reflect the unity that is good and pleasant in your sight.
Make us family—for real.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.
Thank you Jeremy. Important thoughts and challenge. Help me to see brothers and sisters today.
I love this! I am working hard to move the church toward creating community outside the walls of the church and what that should look like, although it is subjective, there are elements that will be the same. The Holy Spirit revealed that first there has to be a true sense of community within the church. That is where we are now and when that happens, when people do come they will naturally feel the warmth, love, compassion, kindness and feel welcomed. It starts with us! "And they will know that we are Christians by our love."