REFLECTIONS ON THE SUNDAY SERMON
Linda Waltersdorf Cobourn, EdD
March 30, 2025
Pastor Amy Peters, Speaker
FAMILY
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble
1 Peter 3:8
What would it have been like to grow up in the earthly family of Jesus? Our church members called out the adjectives as Pastor Amy talked about the importance of family, both natural and spiritual. We know little about the family life of Jesus when He was a child in Nazareth. The Bible gives us a few facts.
Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? (Matthew 13:55)
Jesus had at least four named brothers. James, probably the writer of the Book of James, and Judas, the writer of the Book of Jude, became followers of Christ. We know less about Joseph, also called Joses, and Simon.
People knew Joseph, a carpenter, as the father of Jesus. Probably because of His birth in Bethlehem and the family’s sojourn in Egypt, no one questioned the parentage of Jesus or His birthdate. The belief exists that Joseph, crucial to Jesus’ early life, died before his ministry began. The Bible’s last reference to Joseph is in Luke 2:48-49.
And are not his sisters here with us? (Mark 6:3)
Jesus had at least two sisters. The plural form of “sisters” shows that there were at least two biological sisters.
This is the little we know of the natural family of Jesus. We probably know a great deal more about our own families! But we know quite a bit about the spiritual family, of which we can be members.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (I John 4:18-19).
In the spiritual family of Jesus, we have perfect love. We are not perfect people, but the love of our Savior surrounds us.
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10).
We are commanded to love one another. No matter what.
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12)
Anyone who believes in Jesus as Savior becomes part of God’s family.
The natural family of Jesus may have had seven or more people living in one house. That’s a big family! But the spiritual family is even bigger. Over 2.6 billion people acknowledge Jesus as Savior.
We need to take care of one another and continue on the path before us.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1b).
How is God asking you to care for His Family?
A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR.
Everyone has a “God story” to tell! Please talk to me about sharing yours. If you’ve enjoyed reading this and would like to read more about my faith walk, please join my free blog at: lindaca1.substack.com