It is a wonderful blessing to have a family...

a. A source of love and acceptance b. A stronghold of support + encouragement This morning, I would like us to take a tour and explore a little bit about "The Family of Jesus" and remind ourselves of the wonderful family we have in Jesus Christ. The book of Matthew has laid down a genealogy of Jesus Christ from Abraham down to Joseph

 It is interesting how it has been put in the bible

in Matt 1: 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise I want us to start with Joseph as a young man ready for marriage. On his search for a wife his heart got fallen to Marry, without a delay he followed the tradition and procedure and proposed a marriage. Along the way He discovered something quite disturbing, Mary was expecting. I believe that was a heart breaking discovery to Joseph.

 His reaction is what fascinates me,

Matt 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a

just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. Two distinct things are revealed here 1. Joseph is described as a JUST MAN, upright Roman 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ 2. Meekness, which is the fruit of Holy Spirit (Forbearance) he didnt want to make her a public disgrace

 Matt 1:20 but while he thought

on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

 Matt 1:24 coming from sleep Joseph

does as the angel of the Lord has instructed him. 3. Obedience is displayed by Joseph. 4. Relationship with God, she knew the voice of God. God found Joseph fit to entrust him with the custody of Jesus in his childhood

 Let us look at Mary (the bride at that time)

26 And in the sixth month the angel

Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

 38 And Mary said, Behold the

handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. What do we see in Mary? 1. Sexual purity - I know not a man 2. Honesty 3. 3. Obedience 38 Be it unto me according to thy word. 4. Relationship with God, she knew the voice of God.

 Well, joseph took Mary as his wife and never

know her until Jesus is born. The family is blessed to have other children a total of five brothers/sons and at least two sisters. Matt 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 56. And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? Joseph was a carpenter, and he presumably taught this trade to Jesus.

 Interestingly, Joseph disappears

sudden from the picture. The speculation is Joseph died prematurely. This is corroborated by two facts 1. Apparently he didn't accompany Mary to the wedding at Cana, and he doesn't appear in any subsequent part of the story either. Also, according to John 19:26,27

 2. John 19:26 When Jesus therefore saw

his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. After the crucifixion Mary went to live at the home of the un-named Beloved Disciple, which she probably wouldn't have done if her husband had still been alive. Well, let us focus in this family again

 Joseph had a fairly large family, there were a number of

problems faced Jesus a. His brothers (and likely His sisters) did not believe in Him at first b. They even challenged Him on one occasion John 7:2-5 2 Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand. 3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. 4. For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. 5 For neither did his brethren believe in him

 c. They thought Him crazy on

another occasion Mark 3:21 and when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

 The challenge to us when we face

rejection from our family member is, what do we do? Do we hate them back? Do we forsake them? Here is an example set by Jesus; our lives are the best sermon.

 But at last somewhere, somehow before

his crucifixion and ascension, conversion happened to his brothers. This might be brought by prayers offered by Jesus for his family, but also Jesus consistence, uprightness in his walk, something happened Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

 His brother James:

Became a prominent leader of the

church in Jerusalem Ga 1:19; 2:9; Acts 15:6-21; 21:18-25 Is likely the author of The Epistle of James Is said to have been martyred by being thrown off the pinnacle of the temple

 His brother Judas is considered by many as

the author of The Epistle of Jude It must have been a wonderful privilege to be part of Jesus' physical family, especially after they came to believe in Him. In Matt 12:46-50 Jesus is extending his invitation to join this big spiritual family of his. Those who do the will of his father are part of his family.

 It is true that physical unions do not

always mean spiritual ones. At times Jesus spoke, His brothers did not believe in him. As often happens, family members do not always have the same interests, the same concerns. Jesus taught us that physical relatives might not accept the truth. But the good news is as far as we do Gods will we are a part of his family.

 May God help us to choose to do

his will and be part of His family.

AMEN.