My Brother, Sister, Mother (Matthew 12:50)

 


Saturday, 11 October, 2025


Psalms 95; 96

2 Kings 1

Matthew 12:38-50


My Brother, Sister, Mother (Matthew 12:50)


[Jesus said] “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”


There is a very good reason as to why, out of all the mobster movies ever made, The Godfather still holds up as the best. In my humble opinion, it is because, out of every other contender, that movie emphasises the importance of the family bond more than the rest. There is something about a family relationship that is weightier, more durable, more assumed than any other type of relationship.


Jesus refers to people as his family: those who do the will of his Father in heaven. Those people are his family; the relationship is assumed, maybe too much at times, maybe not enough at others. It is deeper, it is a relationship with very deep roots.


According to our Articles of Religion, Anglicans believe that it is those who are saved by faith in Jesus Christ who do the will of our Father in heaven (Article 12, 13, 14). And so we, when we try our best, even when it is not very good, we are doing the will of our Father in heaven – and we are Jesus’ family. We are the body of Christ – his Spirit is with us – he is our brother – we are his brother, sister, mother.


How do you live out your calling as a family relation of God?


Lord Jesus Christ, our Friend and Brother: keep us close and never let us be parted from you, that we may do the works of our Father in heaven, and always be in your love.

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