Hempfield UMC

For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother. (Matthew 12:50) Reflection: God created the members of the human race to be stewards of his creation. God is Spirit, but has created the material universe. We are the spiritual-material creatures God created to rule the material realm on his behalf and according to His will and purposes. Human beings were made to do God’s will, not out of compulsion or mechanically, but…

He replied to the one who was speaking to him, “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?” Stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! (Matthew 12:48-49) Reflection: Jesus Christ has set his relationship with his disciples above even the members of his own family. We are that important to him! More than this, together, we are the family of God. Our relationship with one another as brothers and sisters…

Someone told him, “Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” (Matthew 12:47) Reflection: Jesus was teaching a crowd of people gathered in his home and listening at the door and windows. His mother and brothers came to see him but could not get in. At this stage, it is most probable that only his mother Mary believed in him. His earthly brothers, James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon, did not. They expected he would…

While he was still speaking with the crowds, his mother and brothers were standing outside wanting to speak to him. (Matthew 12:46)   Reflection: The setting of the story is a house where Jesus was staying. Crowds of people were gathering around to hear him teach when his earthly mother and brothers appeared outside. They could not get through the crowds, so they sent word in to Jesus, expecting that he would immediately end his teaching to spend time with…