The words of Jesus
What Did Jesus Say About the Family of God?
Jesus redrew the lines of family around God Himself. Those who do the Father's will, He said, are His mother and brothers, and He brings us into a family that will never end.
“Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?”
Jesus, in Matthew 12:48, King James Version
He opens the family of God wider than blood.
“Behold my mother and my brethren!”
Jesus, in Matthew 12:49, King James Version
He points to His followers and calls them family.
“whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Jesus, in Matthew 12:50, King James Version
Doing the Father's will makes us His kin.
“whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.”
Jesus, in Mark 3:35, King James Version
The family of God is open to anyone who follows Him.
“go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.”
Jesus, in John 20:17, King James Version
After rising, He calls His followers brothers and shares His Father with them.
What Jesus is really saying
Jesus takes the warmest word we know, family, and makes it the name for those who belong to God. He calls His followers His brothers and sisters, shares His own Father with them, and gathers them into a household that outlasts death. To come to Christ is not only to be forgiven but to be adopted, given a place at the family table.
Who these words reveal Him to be
He calls His followers His brothers and shares His own Father with them: I ascend unto my Father, and your Father. Only the Son of God could bring us into the family of God. Jesus is the Lord who makes us sons and daughters and the Savior through whom we are adopted, given a place at the Father's table. To belong to Him is to belong to God, welcomed home into a family that will never let us go.
Come to Him
You were made to belong. In Jesus, God is not only your Maker but your Father, and His people are your family. Come to Him, and find yourself welcomed home into a family that will never let you go.
His words were always meant to lead you to Himself. You can begin with Jesus here, ask someone to pray with you, or read His words in the Bible.