Brothers And Sisters

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they wish to see you." He said to them in reply, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it." (Luke 8:19-21)

This very brief passage from Luke makes it clear we are all Jesus’ brothers [and sisters] when hear the word of God and act on it.  How do we hear the word of God?  The parables preceding this passage are instructive.

The Parable of the Sower: “This is the meaning of the parable. The seed is the word of God. Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of trial. As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit. But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.

If we hear the word of God spoken through this parable, we fall on rich ground, and it is incumbent upon us to embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.  We then become Jesus’ brothers and sisters.  Then we have the parable of the lamp.

“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.”

If we hear the word of God spoken through this parable, we let our light shine brightly for all to see.  Our brotherly and sisterly love is not hidden under a bed.  It is placed on a lampstand to guide others to Christ and the kingdom of God.

Deacon David Pierce