More Than Family

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

I'm Mike Whitmer, and I title today's reading More Than Family. John was installed as full professor in a prestigious college. His older brother David was pleased, but as brothers do, he couldn't resist teasing John how he'd wrestled him to the ground when they were boys. John had gone far in life, but he'd always be David's little brother. It's hard to impress family, even if you're the Messiah. Jesus had grown up among the people of Nazareth, so they struggled to believe He was special. If they were amazed by Him, they asked, What are these remarkable miracles He is performing?

Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son? Jesus noted, A prophet is not without honor, except in his own town, among his relatives, and in his own home. These people knew Jesus well, but they couldn't believe He was the Son of God. Perhaps you were raised in a godly home.

Your earliest memories include going to church and singing hymns. Jesus has always felt like family. If you believe and follow Him, Jesus is family. He is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters. Jesus is our older brother in the family of God. This is a great privilege, but our closeness might make Him seem common.

Just because someone is family doesn't mean they're not special. Aren't you glad Jesus is family, and more than family? May He become more personal and more special as you follow Him today. Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Mark chapter 6, verses 1 through 6.

Jesus left there and went to His hometown, accompanied by His disciples. When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were amazed. Where did this man get these things?

they asked. What's this wisdom that has been given Him? What are these remarkable miracles He is performing? Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon? Aren't His sisters here with us? And they took offense at Him. Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor, except in his own town, among his relatives, and in his own home. He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.

He was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Let's pray. Dear Jesus, thank You for bringing us into the family of God. We are so grateful to be Your little brothers and sisters. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.