Jesus had a family too

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. Luke 2:4–5 (NIV)

God uses your family to direct you toward his purpose. The family into which you were born was not the result of an accident; God spoke you, quite deliberately, into your mother’s womb. You are a unique blending of the DNA, heritage, and characteristics of your parents.

Jesus had a family, too. We tend to think of his family in big picture terms—that he had a heavenly Father, that he was the son of the virgin Mary, that he was an heir to David’s throne.

But Jesus became a carpenter because that was the trade of his earthly father, Joseph. And, can you imagine, when Jesus walked through town his neighbors could see a hint of Mary in his smile or in his eyes? Because of family obligations, Jesus waited until he was thirty years old to begin his public ministry.

He had a flesh and blood family, and God used that family to move Jesus toward his holy purpose, including his birth in Bethlehem.

God will use your family to work his purpose. God placed you in your family to help you become a masterpiece portrait of Jesus. Hopefully, you’ll grow in Christ-character with the help of positive role models, including relationships that encourage and support the Jesus-growth in you. But even if you’re in a difficult family situation, God will still use your family to develop you into a Jesus-being.

 

Praise for Breakfast with Bonhoeffer

Best Christian book this year!! — Jon Walker has managed to share his real life struggles and apply them to the biblical words and understanding of Bonhoeffer. The way he weaves the words of his own story of brokenness with the words of salvation from Jesus Christ teaches us all where our true treasure resides. Mr. Walker shares how he lost his family, financial ruin, and all the while battled mental health demons as he hit bottom. In between anecdotes, he gives us Bonhoeffer’s biblical guidance to inch closer to God, to focus on God, and make God the center of his life. I am buying this book for many of the people I care about for Christmas this year. By jc via Amazon. (Thanks jc!)

This devotional © Copyright 2012 Jon Walker. All rights reserved. Used by permission.