The Family of Jesus
The Family of Jesus
Who is the family of Jesus? As a historical figure, Jesus’ family lineage can be traced all the way back to the first man, Adam. As Son of God, Jesus has a spiritual family that includes all who believe in Him, and follow His teachings. Let us take a closer look at both of these dimensions of the family of Jesus.
1. The Family Tree
Jesus’ family history can be found in His genealogy, as recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. These references are documented in Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38. Within these accounts, there are several noteworthy observations that can be made:
a. Fulfillment of Promises
Matthew traces Jesus’ lineage back to Abraham, highlighting key figures such as David, Solomon, and various kings of Judah. Jesus’ lineage back to Abraham is regarded as the fulfillment of God’s promise to bless all nations through him (Genesis 12:3b). Additionally, Jesus’ link to David’s royal line emphasizes his identity as the long-awaited Messiah.
b. Jesus’ universal mission
Luke, on the other hand, presents a more extensive genealogy, tracing Jesus’ ancestry all the way back to Adam. This portrayal of Jesus highlights his universal significance, as the Savior not only of Israel but of all humanity. Thus, Luke’s genealogy serves to enlarge the scope of Jesus’ mission and the breadth of his impact on the entire human race.
c. Diversity in Jesus’ lineage
One might expect Jesus’ ancestry to consist of perfect individuals, yet his lineage includes a diverse range of people. From kings to commoners, the faithful to the flawed, outsiders and insiders alike, all were chosen by God to be a part of Jesus’ ancestry. This shows God’s value for every individual. If God allowed his Son to be born into a lineage with such diverse backgrounds, it teaches us not to let our own pasts constrain us.
2. Spiritual Family Relationships
Beyond His genealogy, Jesus redefines the concept of family in significant ways. The Bible uses various relationships and symbols to define the relationship between Jesus and his followers – the spiritual family of Jesus.
a. Children of God
Every believer of Jesus is first and foremost a child of God. John 1:12-13, says, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
The greatest blessing of being a child of God is that we are no longer separated from God, but reconciled to Him through Jesus. Being aware of God’s unconditional acceptance gives us the assurance to walk through life with confidence.
b. Heirs & Co-heirs
Now, if we are children of God, then we are also co-heirs with Christ, the Son of God. Romans 8:17 states, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
Being an heir of God and a co-heir of Christ comes with both privileges and responsibilities. As heirs and co-heirs, we inherit spiritual riches such as forgiveness of sins, eternal life, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, ongoing guidance of God, the promise of being resurrected after death and reigning with Christ in his eternal kingdom. At the same time, we are also called to trust and obey God, pursue righteousness and love, actively fulfill the great commission, be a good steward of time, resources and talents, and persevere through trials and tribulations.
c. Brothers & Sisters
In Mark 3:31-35, when informed that his mother and brothers were outside asking for him, Jesus responds, “Who are my mother and my brothers?… Whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” Here, Jesus expands the notion of family beyond biological ties to include all who share in God’s kingdom and follow His will.
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we belong to a world wide spiritual family of God. This spiritual family goes beyond biological relationships, uniting believers across cultures, languages, and backgrounds under the banner of God’s love.
d. Friendship
For those believers who earnestly seek to know Him more, and follow His will, Jesus extends the title of “friends”. This is indeed a very special title. In John 15:14,15, Jesus tells his disciples, “You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, because I have told you everything that my Father told me.” Jesus shares His heart with His friends. A friend desires to understand the intentions of God’s heart.
Friendship in Jesus’ eyes goes beyond mere companionship, it includes loyalty, mutual trust & respect, and a shared mission and purpose.
e. Bride of Christ
This is a symbolic relationship between Christ and the body of believers. According to Ephesians 5:25-27, Jesus willingly sacrificed His life for the church that she may present herself blameless before him. This relationship signifies a set apart, faithful devotion to Jesus with an eager longing for His return.
To sum up, Jesus’ family includes both his biological lineage, represented by his family tree, and the continually growing spiritual family. It’s not necessary for us to trace our connection to Jesus through his earthly family tree; the invitation to join his spiritual family is open to all. Jesus doesn’t want us to struggle through life alone; he understands the weight we carry. In Matthew 11:28-30, he gently invites us, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” He offers His light yoke in exchange for our heavy burdens.
