“Brothers!” my youngest grandson shouts. “Hey, Brothers.”
And my heart melts just a little.
His two older brothers wrestle with each other at the round kitchen table. Laughing, shoving, and listening to the insistent attention grab of their seven-year-old younger brother’s call.
“Hey, Brothers, watch me!”
I adore the way they call one another “brothers.”
I was the youngest with three older brothers whom I cherished, and I recognize the bond of brothers. I remember their banter at the table, their intense camaraderie, and explosive competitiveness. They were like their own club.
Sometimes I felt envious, but mostly, I loved being a girl on the outside, looking through the sibling glass, to the inside. There I witnessed each day their love, compassion, and appreciation of each other.
There is a story in the book of Mark when Jesus’ family came to talk to Him. His mother and step-brothers couldn’t get to Him because of the crowds around Him. Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” (Mark 3:32 ESV)
“And he answered them, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.’” (Mark 3:33-34 ESV)
As a mom, every time I read these words, it hurts just a bit. Because my children are part of my very body and soul. I can’t help but wonder if Jesus’ words offended them. But I also see the immense blessing Jesus’s words bestowed, words that matter to us today.
Jesus used that moment to introduce His followers to a new kind of family, one that went beyond physical blood lines. It was a family built through spiritual birth. This new family would become the church with Jesus as its Head. Its membership belonged to everyone who called on Him for salvation.
This divine family is united through Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and unified through obedience to His Word.
“Brothers,” Paul addresses the Corinthian church. “I appeal to you, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgement.” (1 Corinthians 1:10 ESV)
Paul addressed the body of believers about things that should not divide them from within, but later in the book, he addressed things from which the church needed separation.
The city of Corinth was saturated in immorality. Some of it seeped into the body. Paul didn’t call for the church of Christ to lower its standards in order to affirm the sinful behavior that took root. Yet, some within the church had turned a blind eye to the depravity happening in their very midst.
They needed division from cohesiveness with an immoral culture. Paul also understood that some claimed brotherhood and sisterhood but were not actually part of the family, because they had never surrendered their hearts to Him.
But those who truly believed, Paul called “brothers” and “sisters.” He challenged them to become more united by their obedience to Christ and through sound doctrine. He preached division from practices of the outside world which were sinful. He believed the Family of God should mourn together over the shameful behavior of some of their spiritual brothers and sisters.
Sibling terms ring like sweet endearments, reminders of a unique bond. We are part of Christ’s family, so loved by Him that He has provided a place for His children, a space at the table, and a home in eternity.
Oneness within the local body increases as we tether our identity and actions to the heart of the Father. Bringing Him pleasure deepens our unity.
God’s Word defines love and hate; right and wrong; good and just, moral and immoral.
We aren’t called to make peace with false teachings. God’s Word instructs us to love one another fiercely, as His brothers and sisters, one with Him. We are to hold each other up and show mutual accountability, to love Christ who loved us and gave Himself up for us. This means we are grounded in His love but stand with uncompromising truth.
My physical family, the one I held to so tightly as a child, is challenged by age and miles. Two brothers are with Jesus, and my other brother lives far away. Although I’m seldom able to see him, I still love him dearly. The same bloodlines connect us. He is my brother, and always will be.
“Brothers!”
My youngest grandson grabs a soccer ball at his feet.
“Let’s go!”
He heads for the kitchen door. The other two, scramble to their feet. They follow, laughing and shoving at each other. And my heart melts a little more because their hearts pulse with the same blood, and they love the same Jesus. They are brothers.
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