A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

A BLOOD RELATIVE      

Matthew 12:46-50 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, His mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to Him. Someone told Him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to You.” He replied to him, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” Pointing to His disciples, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”   

Normally, you have a strong relationship with those who are your blood relatives. With Your biological brother(s) and/or sister(s) you share the same parents or ancestors. Being a blood relative, in addition to the emotional attachment you have, there is also in this day of transplants potential health benefits. If you need a kidney, liver or other organ transplant, someone who is a blood relative is a likely donor candidate.  

Jesus’ disciples must have been taken aback by His response found in today’s devotional verses. Surely being a blood relative should have created a special relationship with Jesus. Such was not the case. Jesus said, those who do the will of His Father in heaven are the one’s who have a special relationship with Him.  

On another occasion Jesus said, “If you know Me, then you know My Father who is in heaven.” (John 14:7) You are a blood relative of Jesus. The writer to the Hebrews connects your relationship with Jesus and with His Father through His shed blood, “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” (Hebrews 9:14)   

The well-known words of the hymn Rock of Ages in verse 3 says it well, “Nothing in my hand I bring; Simply to Thy cross I cling. Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless look to Thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die.”  Prayer: Thanks be to You, dear Jesus, through Your shed blood bonding me to You and to Your Father. Amen. 

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee;  
Let the water and the blood, From Thy riven side which flowed,  
Be of sin the double cure; Cleanse me from its guilt and pow’r. 

Not the labors of my hands Can fulfill Thy Law’s demands;  
Could my Zeal no respite know, Could my tears forever flow,  
All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone. 

Nothing in my hand I bring; Simply to They cross I cling.  
Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless, look to Thee for grace;  
Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die. 

While I draw this fleeting breath, When mine eyelids close in death,  
When I soar to worlds unknown, See Thee on Thy judgment throne,  
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee.  

Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me // LSB 761