My Mother and My Brothers

In Luke 8:19-21, the bible says that...

Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd. And it was told Him by some, who said, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You.” But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.” Luke 8:19‭-‬21 NKJV

Can you relate to the scripture above?

Many years ago when I first read this scripture, I was greatly offended by it. I asked, "why would Jesus do that to His own mother and brothers?". But now, I know better.

We all have families and we love our family members very very much. But I noticed that as I began my journey with God and my relationship with God grew stronger and deeper, I am excited to see other children of God and are drawn to them with genuine love out of no effort of my own. And as my knowledge and love for God grew, my love and willingness to do anything for anyone who loves the Lord grew as well.

The bible says that, "we love because He first loved us". And His kind of love is so strong, so beautiful and knows no ethnicity, no discrimination, no bias, no hate, no conditions, no class, I can go on and on. His kind of love compels you not only to love, but to empty yourself for the good of your fellow man. His kind of love compels you to give anything no matter how painful with joy inexpressible. His kind of love does not exclude anyone, no matter how undeserving and selfish they may be. His kind of love grows on and on no matter how many times you are not loved in return. His kind of love does not hold grudges, does not keep a record of wrongs, does not get back or get even with anyone, does not harbor unforgiveness, does not seek after itself, does not get old with age, and it never dies.

When you love God genuinely from your heart and soul, you become a vessel and a channel of expression of God's love and mercy to humanity. And that's life changing.

If we truly love our family members, our first priority must be to make certain that they come to Christ. Because when they come to Christ, we love them so much more, having been empowered with that great Iove that only flows from Christ.

If we truly love God, we must do what Christ told Peter to do as proof of his love for Him...

Jesus asked, "Peter son of Jonah, loveth thou me?" And Peter said, "Lord, You know that I love You." And Jesus replied...

• FEED MY SHEEP.

• TEND MY LAMBS.

• FEED MY SHEEP.

Here in EXOLOM we love like Christ loves. EXOLOM means Expressions of God’s Love and Mercy. We in EXOLOM love LOVE because God is LOVE.*

I love you all my EXOLOM Family. I thank God continually for each of you. May we continue to grow and be bound by the love of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Stay Uplifted in Christ & Live Cheerfully.

From the Desk of Pastor Nicholas Obodo