Do You Need A Big Brother

Luke 2:7 NLT “She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.”

Today, the word ‘firstborn’ hit me. So, I looked it up. A few ways/places. There are several verses that name 4 different brothers and other verses that say unnamed brothers and sisters. Matthew 13:55–56 state that James, Joses (or Joseph), Jude and Simon were the brothers of Jesus, the son of Mary. The same verses also mention unnamed sisters of Jesus. Janes, Jude and Simon are not to be confused with those who were disciples of Jesus by the same name. Here are some passages where the other sons of Mary by Joseph are mentioned (Matt. 12:46; 13:55; Mark 6:3; John 2:12; 7:3, 5, 10; Acts 1:14; 1 Cor. 9:5; Gal. 1:19).

THEN it struck me, how Jesus died for us, in place of us. The church (as a body) now represents Him. And how we are ALL called brothers and sisters of Christ. Then I remembered John 1:12 “But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God.” THAT’S us!! In a way, we are all half brothers and sisters of Jesus! Maybe not ‘out of Mary’ but down the line. Jesus is an amazing Big Brother!

Yes, Joseph and Mary had more children. No, she didn’t stay a virgin for the rest of her life. Yes we are all a part of God’s family and are brothers and sisters. Pretty neat! Because of us being ‘born again’ through the accepting of Jesus and His salvation – He is the First Born, not just in His earthly family, but in our eternal family – get it?!?! Jesus is our Big Brother. When we look around ourselves and think we “don’t have any family around” – that is a lie from the devil! If we are a part of a church body, we DO have family around. Now, this means that we HAVE to be a PART of a life group of some sort in order to get the full impact of the “family” affect – but even as a regular church attender, you meet those around you each week, and those that greet you at the door. The neat thing is they can be your ‘family’ when family is not around. Sometimes, we have to reach out to them and then they have resources to help lead us to.

Today, look around you. You DO have family in all sorts of places: church, work, neighbors, clubs, groups… the thing is, no one can read your mind or know what is going on, unless you let them in your world. By doing that, you bless someone with the chance to be used by God to help guide and direct you AND you get blessed by the Lord and how He is helping you through them. Win – win!!

We can only love and be loved, to the extent in which we are willing to be hurt (or exposed). We just have to be willing to share with someone else, that we feel comfortable with, and would like them to be “our family”. I learned a LONG time ago, to compare yourself to the positive things in people, because then you start doing and being those positive traits. Don’t focus on the human, natural, negative things – or you start doing and becoming those negative things. Mentoring is finding someone that you share common things with, someone that you want to be like, and then inviting them into your world. Easy? NO! Beneficial? YES! If you are an only child in this world now, please believe me, you have family and resources in your ‘church family’ – but you have to reach out and let them know you are in need, or no one will know. Fill out the prayer card with a short and simple explanation of your need. If you are someone that goes to church and sits with the same people each week, then get there a little early and chat with them. Check on them. Pray with them. Fill out your prayer request card that you are willing to help if someone is in need. God enjoys bringing people together. God is then glorified by how we care for each other. Being a Big Brother or a Big Sister is amazing to do in church! Even if your ‘age’ is reversed, you can still have the relationship of mentoring, and what a blessing that is!! You may only be a Big Brother/Sister for a season, or a short while. Then again, it could be for a long time. No matter how God wants the relationship to be, just reach out – you will be glad you did! I pray today, that your family increases and that you are blessed! Be kind today. Be loving. Be accepting. Be willing. Be blessed!