“Do not hold on to me,” Jesus told her, “because I have not yet gone back up to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am returning to him who is my Father and their Father, my God and their God.” John 20:17, GNT

 

In Proverbs 18:24, we read: “Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.” That might be true in many instances, but a few months ago, I realised that the saying “blood is thicker than water" is even more true. My brother-in-law in Cape Town died and we caught the earliest possible flight to be with my sister. She does have many friends, but few things could give her as much comfort as the arms of her brother holding her close. Family can be worth their weight in gold.

 

To be part of the family of God is unbeatable. In John 15, Jesus still called his disciples his friends, but as we see in our verse for today, he said, “… go to my brothers”. The Greek word for brothers actually points to more than just a brother; it can be read in a broader context as family. Between “friends” in John 15 and “brothers” in John 20, something tremendously important happened.

 

In John 15:13, Jesus told them: “The greatest love a person can have for his friends is to give his life for them.” At the cross, he did precisely that, but a lot more happened when he also conquered death itself and rose from the grave. After the crucifixion and the resurrection, those who were friends became family.

 

There is even more. We are not distant family, we are children of God – “my Father and their Father, my God and their God”. To be a child of someone is the closest one can get to being a family member. Because we are children of God, we also share in all the benefits of being a child of God. The most significant benefit we read about is in 1 John 3:1: “See how much the Father has loved us! His love is so great that we are called God’s children – and so, in fact, we are.” Because we are children of God, Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, can also call us heirs of our heavenly Father. Our heritage is eternal life.

 

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that I have a family whom I love very much and who love me dearly. However, above all, thank you for allowing me to be part of your family. Amen