Embracing Our Role as Christ's Extended Family
Summary
In today's message, I explored the profound spiritual implications of Jesus' words from the cross, particularly His instruction to the beloved disciple to care for His mother, Mary. This directive, given in a moment of immense suffering, extends far beyond the immediate context, offering us a blueprint for Christian community and discipleship.
I began by reflecting on the way our congregation embodies this call to be an extended family to one another. I've witnessed firsthand the love and support we provide each other, especially during times of hardship. This is the ministry God calls us to—a ministry vividly illustrated by Jesus' words from the cross.
Drawing from the Gospel of John, I delved into the identity of the beloved disciple. While tradition suggests this was John, the disciple's true identity remains a subject of scholarly debate. However, I proposed that the beloved disciple serves as a placeholder for each of us, emphasizing that we are all the beloved of Christ, called to care for one another as family.
I shared insights from various authors, including Adam Hamilton and Fleming Rutledge, to underscore the importance of caring for our parents and the broader family of the church. I recounted stories that exemplify how we can live out Jesus' command to care for each other, including the touching narrative of a teacher who became a foster parent to a student in need.
As we approach Good Friday and Easter, I invited the congregation to consider their place at the cross. Are we bystanders, scoffers, or are we like Simon of Cyrene, who carried Jesus' cross, or the Roman centurion who recognized Jesus as the Son of God? I encouraged everyone to see themselves as part of the expanded family of Christ, bearing each other's burdens and sharing in each other's joys and struggles.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus' words to the beloved disciple and His mother create a template for the church to function as an extended family, transcending biological ties. We are called to care for each other with the depth and commitment of a parent, child, sibling, or friend. This is not just a metaphor but a lived reality within our faith community, where we are to embody the love and care that Jesus demonstrated on the cross. [57:42]
- Bearing one another's burdens is a central aspect of Christian discipleship, as Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:2. This is not merely about offering help but about sharing in the weight of life's challenges. Like Samwise Gamgee in "The Lord of the Rings," we may not be able to remove the burden, but we can offer our strength to carry our brothers and sisters when they falter. [01:00:17]
- The cross is a place of profound compassion. Even in His agony, Jesus was attentive to the suffering of others, particularly His mother. This teaches us that true compassion requires us to look beyond our own pain and respond to the needs of those around us, offering care and comfort in their distress. [01:02:10]
- The concept of the beloved disciple invites us to personalize our faith journey. We are each the disciple whom Jesus loves, and this identity calls us to a deeper engagement with our faith and with the world. As beloved disciples, we are to see ourselves in the narrative of the Gospel, taking Jesus' words and actions to heart as we interact with our community and the world. [01:04:18]
- Our worship and ministry extend beyond the walls of the church. As we support partner ministries like the Hope Center, we are reminded that our calling is not just internal but also external. We are to be a light in the community, sharing God's love, forgiveness, hope, grace, and peace with all whom we encounter. [17:59]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- John 19:25-27 (NRSV)
> "Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, 'Woman, here is your son.' Then he said to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.' And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home."
- Galatians 6:2 (NRSV)
> "Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific instruction did Jesus give to the beloved disciple and His mother from the cross? ([42:19])
2. According to the sermon, what does the identity of the beloved disciple symbolize for us today? ([47:31])
3. How does the sermon describe the role of the church in caring for one another, as illustrated by Jesus' words from the cross? ([52:47])
4. What examples were given in the sermon to illustrate how we can live out Jesus' command to care for each other? ([54:18])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Jesus' instruction to the beloved disciple and His mother redefine the concept of family within the Christian community? ([52:47])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that we are all the beloved disciples of Christ? How does this identity impact our responsibilities within the church? ([47:31])
3. How does the act of bearing one another's burdens, as mentioned in Galatians 6:2, manifest in practical terms within a church community? ([58:16])
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of compassion, even in the midst of personal suffering, as demonstrated by Jesus on the cross? ([51:27])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like part of an extended family within the church. How did this experience impact your faith and sense of community? ([52:47])
2. Jesus' words from the cross call us to care for one another deeply. Identify one person in your church or community who might need support. What specific action can you take this week to help them? ([54:18])
3. The sermon mentioned the importance of honoring our parents. How can you actively honor and care for your parents or parental figures in your life, especially if they are aging or in need? ([48:31])
4. Bearing one another's burdens is a central aspect of Christian discipleship. Think of a burden someone close to you is carrying. How can you offer your strength to help them carry it, similar to Samwise Gamgee's support for Frodo? ([01:00:17])
5. The sermon encourages us to see ourselves as part of the expanded family of Christ. How can you foster a sense of family within your small group or church community? What steps can you take to build deeper relationships? ([52:47])
6. Reflect on the concept of compassion as demonstrated by Jesus on the cross. How can you practice looking beyond your own pain to respond to the needs of those around you? ([51:27])
7. The sermon challenges us to consider our place at the cross. Are you a bystander, a scoffer, or someone who actively participates in bearing others' burdens? How can you move towards being more like Simon of Cyrene or the Roman centurion in your faith journey? ([01:02:10])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Spiritual Kinship
The call to be an extended family within the church is a profound expression of Jesus' teachings. It is a reminder that the bonds formed within the community of believers are meant to be as strong and nurturing as those within a biological family. This spiritual kinship is rooted in the love and sacrifice exemplified by Jesus on the cross, where even in His final moments, He was concerned for the well-being of His mother and ensured she would be cared for by the beloved disciple. This act was not just for their benefit but serves as a model for how all followers of Christ are to care for one another. It is a call to action, to step into the role of caregiver, supporter, and family to those within the faith community, recognizing that the church is not just a gathering of individuals but a family united by divine love and purpose. [57:42]
"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!" - Psalm 133:1-2 ESV
Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to this week to strengthen your spiritual kinship and offer support or encouragement?
Day 2: Sharing Life's Burdens
The Christian journey is one of companionship and shared burdens. As followers of Christ, we are called not only to seek help when needed but to actively participate in the struggles of our brothers and sisters. This mutual support is a tangible expression of the love that binds the community of believers together. It is about more than offering assistance; it is about entering into the experiences of others, empathizing with their pain, and providing strength when they are weak. This concept is beautifully illustrated by the image of Samwise Gamgee in "The Lord of the Rings," who could not take the ring from Frodo but could carry him when he could no longer walk. In the same way, Christians are called to be present and supportive, helping to carry the burdens of others as an embodiment of the love and compassion that Christ showed to all. [01:00:17]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself." - Galatians 6:2-3 ESV
Reflection: What is one practical way you can help alleviate someone's burden this week, and how can you make that a part of your routine?
Day 3: Compassion Amidst Suffering
True compassion calls for an awareness of the suffering of others, even amidst our own pain. Jesus' attention to His mother's needs while enduring the agony of the cross is a powerful testament to this selfless love. It challenges believers to look beyond their circumstances and respond to the needs around them. Compassion is not passive; it is an active choice to extend care and comfort to those in distress. It is a reflection of God's heart, a heart that is always attuned to the cries of His children. As followers of Christ, we are invited to cultivate this same sensitivity and willingness to act, ensuring that no one in our community suffers alone or without the support they need. [01:02:10]
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 2:4-5 ESV
Reflection: Can you identify someone in your life or community who is suffering and think of a specific way to offer them compassion this week?
Day 4: Personalizing Our Faith Journey
The identity of the beloved disciple is an invitation for every believer to see themselves as personally loved by Jesus. This personalization of faith brings the narrative of the Gospel into the everyday lives of Christians, calling them to a deeper engagement with their faith and the world around them. It is a reminder that the teachings and actions of Jesus are not just historical events but are meant to be lived out in the present. As beloved disciples, individuals are encouraged to take Jesus' words to heart, allowing them to shape their interactions and relationships within their community and beyond. This personal connection with Christ is the foundation for a vibrant and transformative faith that reaches out to the world with love and grace. [01:04:18]
"To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." - John 1:12 ESV
Reflection: How can you more fully embrace your identity as a beloved disciple of Christ in your daily actions and decisions?
Day 5: Ministry Beyond the Church Walls
The ministry of the church is not confined to the four walls of a building; it extends into the broader community, serving as a beacon of God's love, forgiveness, hope, grace, and peace. This outward focus is a critical aspect of the Christian calling, as believers are encouraged to be lights in the world, reflecting the character of Christ in all their interactions. Supporting partner ministries and engaging in acts of service are practical ways the church can live out its mission. By doing so, the church becomes a living testament to the transformative power of the Gospel, impacting lives and bringing the message of Christ to those who may not yet know Him. [17:59]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
Reflection: What is one action you can take this week to extend your ministry beyond the church and into your local community?
Quotes
"We are God's beloved family. Never forget that. The God has given us commandments. And one of those is to honor our parents. So as we look even as adults, how can we honor our parents?" [01:09:32] ()
"God sees you where you are. And loves you right there. And is there with you. And then most of all remember that God is created within us a family. A new family." [01:09:32] ()
"So what Jesus does for us when we answer this call when we take on being the beloved disciple that God is going to create a family beyond just our own flesh and blood and relatives to create within us, a new family." [57:42] ()
"John intends for us to understand from Jesus that as a disciple we are responsible to care for each other. Even taking on the role of a parent or a child or a brother or a sister to anyone who needs us." [57:42] ()
"Son, behold your mother, mother, behold your son, brothers and sisters in Christ, behold your family, whom we share with, whom we bear, lives, joys, and also live struggles together." [01:02:10] ()
"These words of Jesus remind us to love and care for our parents, they're on the cross as he hung dying, he is taking care of his mother who has raised him." [50:21] ()
"Jesus also sees us in our pain, sometimes it may not feel like it may be you are going through something right now in your life, you are wondering where Jesus is, but be assured, Jesus sees you in your pain." [54:51] ()
"Jesus creates new families, here in these moments these words show us how the church is to care for one another, you know, here is a new son and a new mother who aren't related, but yet through the Holy Spirit in God's church we see that they become mother and son." [54:51] ()
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