Matthew 12:46-50 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood without, desiring to speak with him.… Brother and sister, because of either sex. The faithful soul is also the mother of Christ, because by teaching, exhorting, and counselling, she brings forth Christ in herself and in others. Thus St. Gregory says: "We must know that he who is the brother or sister of Christ through believing is made His mother by preaching. For he, as it were, brings forth the Lord, whom he infuses into the hearts of his hearers." He subjoins the example of , who, by the Spirit, bore to God the seven sons to whom she had given birth in the flesh, because she strengthened them in persecution, and animated them for martyrdom. These words of Christ were also exemplified in Victoria, a virgin-martyr under Diocletian. She replied to the pro-consul, on his asking her whether she would join her brother Fortunatianus, who was a heathen: "No, for I am a Christian; and those are my brethren who keep the commandments of God." Wherefore she was shut up in prison, and perishing by hunger, obtained the martyr's crown. I. CHRISTIANS ARE THE RELATIVES OF CHRIST. The ground of the relationship not natural, ecclesiastical, but spiritual — faith and obedience. II. Spiritual relationship to Christ is SUPERIOR TO NATURAL. It is more intimate, happy, honourable, comprehensive, permanent. III. The love of Christ to Christians as His relatives COMPRISES WITHIN ITSELF ALL, THE DIFFERENT PHASES OF NATURAL AFFECTIONS. 1. Let us honour the relatives of Christ. 2. Seek to be of their number. 3. Choose them for our companions. 4. Do them all the good in our power. (Various.) I. The character of the disciple of Christ. Relates to — What we are to believe, experience, be, do, suffer, enjoy. II. How near and dear they are to Christ. III. How near and dear they ought to be to each other. (J. Benson.) I. The spiritual relatives of Jesus. Close and intimate. All the saints have one Father, one nature, one mind, one name with Christ. II. The great principle of this relationship. Obedience. God's will is revealed to us. Obedience must be evangelical, affectionate, full, constant. III. The advantages of this relationship. Exalted honour, greatest blessings, everlasting security. Rejoice, walk worthy, etc. (Dr. Burns.) Parallel Verses KJV: While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. |
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