What steps can we take to align our priorities with Jesus' in Matthew 12:47? Setting the Scene: A Family Waiting Outside “Someone told Him, ‘Look, Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to You.’ ” (Matthew 12:47) Jesus’ Kingdom Lens on Priorities • The next verses reveal Jesus’ response: “… ‘Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?’ … ‘Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.’ ” (Matthew 12:48-50) • Earthly ties are good gifts, yet they must yield to the higher claim of doing the Father’s will. • Jesus models a life where obedience to God re-orders every human relationship and activity. Practical Steps to Reorder Our Lives • Place Scripture at the center – Daily reading and meditation: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) – Treat God’s Word as the authority that corrects and directs plans, desires, and loyalties. • Seek the Father’s will first – Begin decisions by asking what most clearly aligns with God’s revealed commands (Psalm 40:8; John 4:34). – Let kingdom priorities determine family, career, and social commitments (Colossians 3:1-2). • Welcome the family of faith – Cultivate bonds with those who share obedience to Christ (Acts 2:42-47). – Serve and be served; mutual care keeps our focus on eternal relationships (Galatians 6:10). • Hold earthly relationships with open hands – Love relatives deeply, yet never at the expense of loyalty to Christ (Luke 14:26). – When loved ones oppose obedience, respond with gentle resolve, keeping God’s commands first (Acts 5:29). • Evaluate time and resources regularly – List current commitments; retain what advances God’s purposes, release what distracts. – Budget money and hours toward gospel work, hospitality, and mercy (Matthew 6:19-21; 1 John 3:17-18). • Practice immediate obedience – When Scripture or the Spirit points to action, move without delay (Luke 9:59-60). – Small acts of prompt obedience train the heart to put God’s will above convenience. Scriptures to Remember • Matthew 12:50 — “For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” • 2 Corinthians 5:15 — “And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.” • Mark 3:34-35 — parallel to our passage, reinforcing Jesus’ definition of true kin. Take-Home Summary Aligning priorities with Jesus begins with treasuring God’s Word, seeking His will above all relationships, integrating into the spiritual family, and responding with prompt obedience. As these habits take root, earthly ties find their proper place under the lordship of Christ, and life reflects the kingdom values Jesus demonstrated when He answered the messenger in Matthew 12:47. |
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