Coffee With The Lord

Jesus, Son of God and Messiah, certainly honored the fifth of the ten commandments – “Honor your father and your mother!” (Exodus 20:12). Apostle Paul referred to it as “the commandment with promise.” (Ephesians 6:2) As a result I am sure family life was a priority and core value in our Savior’s earthly life. In fact, at His crucifixion Jesus insured that his mother was properly cared for after His death. (John 19:26-27)

Understanding that, Jesus’ response to someone recorded in Matthew 12:46-50 has been puzzling to many. Jesus was very busy speaking to the multitudes one day. The Bible records that is mother, Mary, and his brothers were standing aside, waiting to speak with Him. Someone brought that to Jesus’ attention and His response perhaps seemed out of character…

He asked, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” In other words, “Who is family to me?” Then he pointed to His disciples and explained, “Here are My mother and My brothers! Whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother!”

Jesus wanted to make an important point! The “family of God” is made up of those who seek to do the will of God!” – He views them as “family!”

You know what I jotted in my Bible after reading that this morning?

Here it is: “Oh, I want to demonstrate unmistakably that I’m a member of God’s family! I want to do God’s will!!! …God is Heavenly Father, Jesus is my Lord and Savior, and I’m His child… I’m FAMILY!”

I don’t recall ever doing this before, but I’m going to quote a study Bible’s notes today (notes from the ESV Journaling Study Bible, Crossway, 2023)…

During my time of “Coffee with the Lord” I read these verses from Isaiah 40…

The Lord speaks through His prophet… “To whom then will you compare Me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He Who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of His might and because He is strong in power, not one is missing!” (Isaiah 40:25–26 ESV)

Here’s the commentary from the Journaling Study Bible on those verses (see if you are not challenged, encouraged – see if your faith is not uplifted and strengthened)!

“The Holy One of Israel has no equal in His power (vs. 12), wisdom (vss. 13-14), immensity (vss 15-17), sovereignty (vss. 22-23) and authority (vs. 25)! Thus only He is worthy of worship, for He created, controls, and preserves what the pagans foolishly worship… About 5,000 stars were visible at night in ancient Israel. Today, however, astronomers estimate that there are more than 400 billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy, and that there are 125 billion galaxies in the universe. The total number of stars is estimated at 1X10²² or 10 billion trillions! Moreover, the God who created all of these – the Holy One of Israel – even calls them all by name and ensures that ‘not one is missing!’ Such a God will surely never forget even one of His people!”

Now think about that – let it sink in! Even the “hairs of your head are numbered!” (Matthew 10:30; Luke 21:18) Someone needed this message from Scripture today!!!

GODLY CHARACTER TRUMPS PERSONAL CHARISMA – Character is what God ultimately blesses regardless of what people are facing and going through!… Never forget it! And the story of Joseph in the Bible proves it!

Joseph, rejected by his brothers and sold as a slave in Egypt… “And his master saw the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight and served… He made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority… The Lord bless the Egyptians house for Joseph’s sake!” (Genesis 39:2-5)

And when his master’s wife seduced him sexually and he rejected her advances – although falsely accused and imprisoned… “And he was there in the prison. But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison… The Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.” (Genesis 39:20-23)

Seek to please God, trust Him, and invest in the development of godly character! You won’t be sorry! That’s what I want to do! How about you?