#47 Luke 8:19-21 Who are the Mother and Brothers of Christ?

Joy:
Episode#47 Luke 8:19-21

Welcome

Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you’re here. I’m Amy Burgin.

Joy:
I’m Joy Burgin.

Amy:
If you are anything like us, you desire God’s presence and divine direction every day of your life.  This podcast makes space for that. We offer few words of our own here and make room for Christgazing, the act of looking steadily and intently at Christ. Each week we read a passage from scripture several times and create stillness after each reading that we might be still ourselves and know God.

We are in a series that takes us through the book of Luke.

Pour Out Your Heart to God

Amy:
Before we begin, take the next minute to give God the things stored up in your body, your mind, and your heart. Maybe it is gratitude, worry, excitement, grief, hope, joy, exhaustion, or peace. Whatever your body feels, your mind thinks, or your heart desires, name it and bring it to the Lord in these next few moments.

[Pause and pour out]

What Does This Passage Say About God?

Joy:
As I read today’s passage, consider the question, what does this say about God?

Luke 8:19-21 Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”

He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”

Again?

Luke 8:19-21 Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”

He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”

Take the next few moments to answer the question, what does this passage say about God?

[Pause and know]

What Does This Passage Say About People?

Joy:
As I reread the scripture, consider the question: What does this passage tell you about people?

Luke 8:19-21 Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”

He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”

Take the next minute to answer the question: What does this passage tell you about people?

[Pause and know]

Lord, What Would You Have Me Know or Do Today?

Joy:
As I read for the last time, ask God the question, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?”

Luke 8:19-21 Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”

He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”

Take the next minute to ask God, “Lord, what do you want me to know or do today in response to this passage?”

[Pause and listen]

Blessing

Joy:
Christgazer, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. May you keep your face turned toward Jesus today and know it’s possible to be close like a mother or brother.

One Response

Amy:
I admit I have in the past been a little jealous of Mary, the mother of Jesus. I desired the intimacy, the closeness, she had with Christ. And here Jesus is telling me in this passage I can have it.

We can have it. Christ desires a deep closeness with us, deep intimacy with us. He gives us the same special access to him as an immediate family member. Why? Because he makes us his family. What other God is like this? Romans 8:15 tells us that when we put our trust in Christ, we are adopted to sonship, a member of His Family, and given the right to cry out to him, “Daddy! Father!”  What other God gives such privilege, such benefit, such access to himself, such love, such belonging?

There is no other like him.

Closing

Amy:
Joy and I will be back again next week to go Christgazing together. Until then, remember with us, when you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a dearly loved child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails, and so do you.

It blesses me to hear from you! Please leave a reply here.