After Jesus’ resurrection, on the third day, the two Marys went to look at the tomb. Having seen the empty tomb, they left to go home but, on the way, they met the risen Jesus. As they fell down and laid hold of his feet in worship, Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go, bring word to My brothers to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me” (Mat. 28:10 NASB 2020). There are many ways in which I relate to Jesus. He is my Lord, my God, my Savior, and the Christ of God. However, I rarely relate to him as my brother. Yet, Jesus, after his resurrection, referred to his disciples as his “brothers.” Jesus, having just been raised from the dead, declares his solidarity with the human race by calling them brothers. Jesus is not just our God, but he is also our brother.
There are three things that we can learn from relating to
Jesus as our brother. First is that Jesus is not ashamed of us. The writer of
Hebrews states that “For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified
are all from one Father; for this reason He is not ashamed to call them
brothers and sisters” (Heb. 2:11 NASB 2020). As our brother, Jesus is not
ashamed of us, even knowing our weaknesses and failings. He stands with us,
even when we fail and fall short of who we are called to be. Secondly, Jesus is
merciful to us. The writer of Hebrews goes on to say, “Therefore, in all things
He had to be made like His brothers so that He might become a merciful and
faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the
sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has
suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted” (Heb. 2:17-18
NASB 2020). Not only is Jesus not ashamed of us, but he is merciful to us when
we fail. No matter what we have done, we know that we can come to Jesus in
repentance and find mercy and forgiveness. Finally, knowing Jesus as our
brother gives us a glimpse of who we are to become. Paul writes, “For those
whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His
Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (Rom.
8:29 NASB 2020). We are called to be like Jesus, and God his
Father, and our Father, is working in our lives to conform us to his image.
Jesus is not only our pattern for who we shall be but also our hope that, as
his brothers, our Father in heaven will continue to work in our lives until we reflect
the life of Jesus in our own lives. Today, as you spend time with Jesus, may
you begin to see Jesus as not only your lord and savior but also your brother.
David Robison
