Who's Your Family

Today Bible reading comes from:

Mark 3:31-35 KJV
(31) There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.
(32) And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.
(33) And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?
(34) And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
(35) For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

Tomorrow we celebrate independence day, which is a day to remember the fight for freedom. Our parent land called Britian, France, and Spain would soon loose their rule over America. The final victory for the independence of the thirteen colonies that would grow into fifty states to form a union. A union that would agree on certain alienable rights of freedom, and yet would impose similiars taxes and laws of the former governmental control. Principals founded on both scripture and legal laws from other worlds. Hoping to cleanse the evil laws from controlling our land.

Jesus wanted to know who his mother and brother were? He declared they were those around him. Who is your brother's keeper? Who is the person that helps keep you under house arrest and social conduct. It is the laws of our land and religion. It is those freedoms that say I do not have to agree always with religious institution but I do have to agree with governmental body, unless I want to protest my rights to disagree, causing total chaos. Yet the consequences of illegal protest is jail or fines. The proper way of protest is never illegal and no fear of harm. Your country, your friends and your neighbors are your mother and your brothers who watch over you. No one likes a nosy neighbor unless one falls and breaks a leg and no one is around, but the one spying.

Jesus was not declaring his mother and brother were not welcome to come, but that he had a family also around him that needed him and they were his disciples he was teaching about God's word. As we celebrate the 4th of July tomorrow think about who your brother and your mother are around. Celebrate with family and friends have a barbeque or dine out. Watch the fireworks on tv or a live show in a park. Everyone wants freedom, and no one likes control. Yet we all are responsible to someone if no one else but the neighbor next door, who only wants to live in harmony and peace with you. People will always need people. Foster kids will always need people to care, and adults with freedom need independence, but always a place to belong no matter where they live. Who is your family today, but those around you, whether it be stranger or a friend. Who is your Christian family, but fellow believers in Jesus. You are responsible to your fellow believers to love them as you would yourself. Jesus command us to love one another as we would ourselves. This was the second commandment Jesus gave his disciples. He illustrated what he meant in Mark 3. Do you love your neighbor as your family and yourself? May God bless You and America this fourth of July.