But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.
Job 16:5 (NIV)
| A Family
Pending by Cathy Vinson |
It is our
soul's satisfaction to see the closure and faithfulness of God, especially in the case of
our own family. We get a glimpse into Jesus' earthly family in this scripture, a
cross-section of the experience He had. We rejoice to know later of Mary and His brothers'
presence and experience of Pentecost. Yet, in the interim, there is light shed on what
might be may be our most painful yearning: our present family dynamic. Matthew 12:46-50 provides us a slice of life, His life. "While Jesus was talking to the crowd..." (46). This crowd were those who were willing to listen, to get under the same roof with Jesus as He taught, therefore putting themselves accountable to His teachings. (They were willing to actually go into the church to hear the message...inside.) "His mother and brothers stood outside..." They stood; they weren't moving. They were erect...outside. Outside or without (exo), says much. It is also used to describe "(those) that are outside" (1 Cor 5:12,13), the unregenerate (1 Th 4:12). "desiring to speak with Him." They wanted a connection. They were striving, earnestly endeavoring...to converse? No, it wasn't a two-way conversation that they were desiring. This was a speech, an utterance, intended on their part. They were going to tell Him! Jesus didn't move to go outside the teaching atmosphere that was presently established around Him, at least not immediately. Instead His effort went to stretching His hand to His disciples, pointing out to the others that these were the ones that had the place of "family" to Him. And for the present, it would be these that "do"...(bear, bring, cause, commit, continue, deal, execute, exercise, fulfil, give, hold, keep, make, observe, purpose, put, show, spend, take, work, yield,...etc) "the will of My Father in Heaven" (Mt 12:50). |
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| "stood
outside" (Matthew 12:46) |
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Send a note to Cathy Vinson , the writer of this devotion.
Other Whispers from the Wilderness Devotions are found HERE
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