TheoTrek — A Journey with God in Discipleship
Entering the Family
Matthew 12:43-50
Rev. Chrístopher Harbin, First Baptist Church, Huntersville, NC
28 February 2010
We all need connections, friendships, and a space where we feel comfortable and secure. Even many of those living on the streets have their personal spaces they call their own. Without connections or good personal relationships with others, we face great difficulties in life. We need to belong to someone, to a place, to a group. Isolated, it becomes difficult to enjoy life and participate in the blessings God brings our way.
Jesus spoke of evil spirits. He said there was a problem in casting out an evil spirit without filling the void with God's presence. Just as we need a space to live and develop, so spirits need space. We cannot live in isolation, just as we cannot live without some type of spiritual influence. At the same time, God gives us the freedom to choose the kind of spiritual influence that will fill our lives.
Jesus spoke of evil spirits, but he also spoke of God's influence in our lives. When his relatives arrived, Jesus spoke of a different form of connection, participation, and belonging in life. Generally we think of our families as granting the space and connectedness which center us and allow us participation and security in life. Jesus, however, created another definition of participation and connection. He defined that it is relationship with God that really should matter to us and give us a sense of true belonging.
Like the question of evil spirits, we have the option to choose a connection that will influence our lives. When God dwells in us, he grants us a base of security and belonging in this world of relationships. It is when God dwells in our lives that we encounter the best protection from evil influences.
It is not enough to belong to a family. We need to accept a new participation in God's family. As important as family ties are, this is the family tie that should really matter. Are we part of this, the family of God in Jesus Christ?
—©2010 Chrístopher B. Harbin