Purpose

This blog focuses on the quest to know and please God in a constantly increasing way. The upward journey never ends. My prayer is that this blog will reflect a heart that seeks God and that it will encourage others who share the same heart desire.

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Brother and Brothers

In this series about relationships that illustrate God's love for His children, I come to the picture of brothers. Jesus taught that believers are His brothers. "And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, 'Behold, My mother and My brothers! For whosoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother'" (Matthew 12:49-50). Jesus also declared, "My mother and My brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it" (Luke 8:21). Paul reveals the stated purpose of God that Jesus "would be the firstborn among many brethren" (Romans 8:29).

A person could look at his own family experience to understand what a brother does; given a positive background, this consideration could be insightful and encouraging. Lest one's understanding of this truth be colored by negative experience, however, the Bible provides instruction about how a brother should treat his siblings; Jesus fully mastered every biblical instruction. In essence, the relationship between brothers is one of unified support and helpfulness.

This supportive relationship is first of all characterized by kind and fervent love. Peter gives this instruction in his first epistle: "Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart" (1:22). Also, "To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit" (3:8).

This heartfelt, overflowing love can express itself in a multitude of ways. Here are just a few examples. Paul asked of his brother Philemon, "Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ" (Philemon 1:20). A true brother encourages and refreshes the spirit of his brothers. Luke 15:32 provides another insight: "But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found." A loving brother rejoices when things go well for his siblings or are again put right for them.

Second, the supportive relationship is characterized by loyalty and understanding. It is careful not to take action that would undermine or damage the relationship. The action with perhaps the greatest damaging potential is found in James 4:11. "Do not speak evil against one another, brethren." This attitude extends beyond words to also include actions: "That no man transgress and defraud his brother" (I Thessalonians 4:6). Because a loving brother seeks to help his brother and be unified with him, he does not speak or act in a way that attacks his brother or invites separation.

This spirit of loyalty and understanding means that a brother is gentle and patient with his brother rather than rigid or dictatorial. He especially understands when a brother has a slightly different or perhaps incomplete knowledge that causes him to act, although sincerely, in a way that is perhaps not optimal. Instead of attacking, the brother protects and patiently guides. "But now, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? . . . Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this - not to put an obstacle or stumbling block in a brother's way. . . . So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another" (Romans 14:10,13,19).

Third, the supportive relationship is characterized by longsuffering and forgiveness. The one who loves in this way does not contribute to the breaking of the relationship. Matthew 5:22-24 describes the serious nature of being angry with one's brother and of speaking or acting in that anger. The verses also describe the important and necessary process of speedy restoration. When the unity between loving brothers is broken for any reason, the desire is always to be reconciled and return to a state of unity as quickly as possible.

When an offense or division exists between brothers, they are able to talk to one another and come to peace. "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother" (Matthew 18:15). The desire is to restore the bond. In fact, this desire is so strong that forgiveness is unlimited. "Then Peter came and said to Him, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven'" (Matthew 18:21-22).

Fourth, the supportive relationship is characterized by appropriate intervention in time of need. When the need is physical, the brother responds with physical help. "But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?" (I John 3:17). James questions the heart of one who does not respond to the physical needs of his brothers (James 2:15-16).

When the need is spiritual, the brother responds with spiritual help. First Thessalonians 3:2 tells just one of many examples: "And we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith." Even when someone falls into sin or error, a loving brother will still show his support by praying. "If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will give life to those who commit sin not leading to death" (I John 5:16). The brother's heart of love also desires spiritual restoration for his brother. "Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness" (Galatians 6:1).

As the perfect brother, Jesus wonderfully expresses this support and helpfulness. He loves His brothers beyond the level that anyone else can love. He is understanding of human weakness and does not tear down His brothers. He is supremely patient and forgiving of even the worst offenses, and He faithfully meets both physical and spiritual needs that no one else can meet. Jesus does everything that an earthly brother should do, but He goes beyond that. Jesus expresses His support and helpfulness in a way that earthly brothers cannot.

Because Jesus was "not ashamed to call [believers] brethren, . . . He Himself likewise also partook of the same [flesh and blood]" (Hebrews 2:11,14). He chose to become a man and to suffer so that He could fully understand human suffering and weakness. This experience equipped Him to be able to minister most fully to fallen mankind. "Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, 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" (Hebrews 2:17-18).

Jesus unashamedly claims believers as His brothers. He became flesh on purpose so that He could understand their sufferings. His knowledge makes Him compassionate to help them in temptation. His victory over temptation equips Him to give the help they need. His compassionate understanding of man is coupled with His divine power to deliver a tremendous display of the brotherly love that seeks to support and help believers throughout all of life.

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for [times of] adversity." Proverbs 17:17 (NASB)
 
This study was prompted by and partially based upon the final sermon in a series about knowing God that can be ordered here.

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