May 30

Whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my Father, and my Sister, and my Mother.

Mark iii. 35.

Jesus exemplified the reality and supremacy of his piety in every sphere in which he moved, and in every relationship in his life, which he filled. To his parents he was affectionate and obedient, and to all men he was courteous and kind. It is said of him when a youth, that he, "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." To his weeping mother he displayed the aboundings of his compassionate regards, when expiring on the cross, and found for her a friend and protector, in the person of the beloved John. We cannot then suppose that the affectionate Jesus, would be deficient in the special attachments of relative life. But he came from heaven to earth to be the friend and saviour of our race, and the kinsman of every human being. Therefore when the multitude said to him, "Behold thy mother, and thy brethren, (most likely cousins) without seek thee," he said gazing with deepest interest on the assembly, "Behold my mother, and my brethren, for whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and my mother." Jesus is truly united by the ties of flesh to every child of man. There is but one common human nature whatever may be the diversity of colour, or of appearance, and that nature Christ assumed, and thus became identically the relative of all mankind. But it is only those who do the will of God, with whom he is especially united, and to whom he is more particularly attached. With these he is of one Spirit, he is of one heart, and of one pursuit. These are joint heirs with Christ, participants of the Father's complacent favour, and shall finally enjoy with him, the glory which he had before the world was. This bond of union which unites Jesus and believers so closely together, is that of obedience to the commands of God. But this obedience must resemble Christ's. It must be affectionate, cheerful, constant, and persevering. It must be our delight to do his will; the obedience of faith, which works by love, and purifies the heart. Happy they, who are thus Christ's relatives indeed, and of a truth!