Today’s verse: Matthew 12:50

“For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

Scripture: Matthew 12: 38-50

One who believes without seeing (Matthew 12:38-50):

Many believe in Jesus because they are amazed by the miracles He did. But Jesus said, Blessed, are those who have not seen, and believed (John 20:29). Who seeks miracles? (verse 39). Here Jesus answers based on the Old Testament. He says, “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (verse 40). The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is an important sign which makes one believe in Him. Jesus insists that He is greater than prophet Jonah and King Solomon.

One who repents truly (verse 43 – 45):

Here Jesus conveys that one cannot enter into the heavenly Kingdom only by doing good deeds. A house swept and put in order. But it was empty. Although we do good, help others, and so on., unless we accept Jesus Christ and believe in Him it is an empty life. Satan will use the opportunity and bring some more demons into the heart. And the last state of the man becomes worse than the first state (verse 45). When we don’t give first priority to Jesus, that life becomes a failure.

One who belongs to Jesus’ family (verse 46-50):

Jesus did not hate and reject His mother and brothers. He was worried because they did not identity who Jesus was (Mark 3:20,21). But here He explains that His spiritual family is more important for Him than the worldly family. Anybody who obeys God becomes a member of His family. What should we do to become a part of God’s bigger family? (verse 50) We should stick to the will of God. When we do that we get the privilege to enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:16-22).

Remember,
Faith and repentance are a sign that we are a child of God.

Dear God,
Help me to obey You while fulfilling Your will in my life so that I live as Your disciple. Amen