Sinclair B. Ferguson

It's the loving concern that Jesus had for his own family.

Part of me wishes we knew a lot more about them.

They were brothers and sisters.

But more important than knowing about them is learning about Jesus, his patience with them all when they misunderstood him and didn't yet fully trust him.

His special loving care in his dying moments for his mother Mary, whose soul was being pierced by a sword as the aged Simeon had prophesied.

And now his appearance to James.

What a tender love he has.

When we think about this, we should remember that he has put all of us who believe into the category of belonging to his own dearly loved family.

Remember how he said, Who are my mother and my brothers?

And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, Here are my mother and brothers.

For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.

That's Mark chapter 3, verses 33 to 34.

Remember that today.

Think of the love that you have for your own family, imperfect though it is.

Then think of the love Jesus had for his own family, absolutely perfect, completely constant, always faithful, even although it was sometimes sorely tried.

And if you trust him, then you belong to his family, and he loves you as a family member.

He is the same today in His resurrection power as He was when He walked this earth.

And He will be the same forever.

And that's surely one of the greatest of all the implications of the Easter message, if you're a member of the family.

We've been thinking all this week about the people Jesus encountered and who encountered Jesus during the week of his Passion.