A Message for the Lonely Heart
Scripture Reading — Mark 3:20-35
Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.
Often in media ministry we receive messages from lonely people, especially around major holidays. It’s common to feel lonely or misunderstood. Jesus definitely knew that feeling. Maybe you know it too.
Today we have read that Jesus’ mother and brothers came to speak to him. At that time his family was convinced that Jesus was “out of his mind.” Perhaps they just wanted to protect him, thinking he might get himself into trouble. Clearly, Jesus was misunderstood by his family and by the teachers from Jerusalem. That’s why he pointed to his followers and called them his family.
It should be noted here that Jesus never stopped loving his immediate family. Just before his death on the cross he made arrangements for his disciple John to take care of his mother (John 19:25-27). And after Jesus’ resurrection we find Mary and also Jesus’ brothers among the believers (Acts 1:14).
But today I want to concentrate on the fact that Jesus calls us his close family. You see, in Jesus we intimately connect with God the Father and the Spirit, and we become part of the worldwide body of believers. We have friends everywhere. We were created for connection. A big part of dealing with loneliness is to be intimately connected with God and his community. Do you belong to a Bible-believing church family? If not, please seek one out!
Father, when we are lonely or misunderstood, comfort us by your Spirit and help us connect with our family and friends in Christ. Thank you! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
About the author — Sergei Sosedkin
Rev. Sergei Sosedkin is the Russian-language ministry leader for ReFrame Ministries. He is a native of Moscow, Russia. As he oversees the Russian-language ministry, Rev. Sosedkin works from our office in Grand Rapids and in various locations in Russia.
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