Have you ever heard the term
blood is thicker than water? It’s a phrase often used when we want to impress that family bonds are stronger than friendships. And while you may think the meaning is obvious, I think it goes much deeper than it suggests. I once heard a saying that I like much more, and it goes like this, "the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.” The first saying speaks to physical ties, but the second speaks to the essence of what’s inside a person. I think the later version is what Jesus is implying in Matthew 12:46-50 - which is below. Scripture says, “As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him.” Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to speak to you.” Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!” Matthew 12:46-50 When I first read this scripture I took offense, and thought, “How can Jesus be so insensitive and care-less?” But now I get it because I have the knowledge of the Holy Spirit. “For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from ONE Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, “I will proclaim Your name to My brethren, In the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise.” Hebrews 2:11-12 You see, Jesus does not make a distinction between friends and family, to Him they are one on the same. The blood of the covenant is more important than the water of the womb, because it is connected to the one true God. I believe this spiritual concept is also highlighted through the parable of the Master Gardener. Listen to this - Jesus says, “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But IF you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.” John 15:1-17 You see, to Jesus and the Father and the Holy Spirit there are only two kinds of people: those alive and those who are dead. We have been charged by the Holy Spirit to make the same kind of distinction when choosing our friends and family - we are called to be equally yoked and led by the Holy Spirit. Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 “Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town. When you enter the home, give it your blessing. If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing. If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave. I tell you the truth, the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be better off than such a town on the judgment day." Matthew 10:11-15 #Maranatha
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