This is such a hard verse for us to interpret in modern American life. Our culture values friends as much as family, often moreso, and the community a person has is often one they've built. In the first century, the family was multi-generational and far more rigidly defined -- family was everything. For Jesus to be this inclusive of everyone was a radical departure, and it likely left some people with mouths agape as they tried to discern exactly what Jesus was saying.
But what a gift it is to us -- no matter where we come from and how lost we may feel, we're welcomed into the family of God. This isn't just any family -- it's the family currently comprised of the Creator of the Universe, God's Holy Spirit, and the Savior of the world.
I want to join that family -- and Jesus has arms open wide to let us in!
Now imagine how we can change the world, every day, by taking that understanding out into the community and welcoming others into our church with the same radical spirit of inclusivity.
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