"Someone told him (Jesus), 'Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.'  But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, 'Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?'  And pointing to his disciples, he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers!  For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother'" (Matthew 12:47-50).

A proper relationship with Jesus is important; at least, it is important to Jesus.  First, He distinguishes between a physical heratige and spiritual heratige by stating that blood relationship is not what counts; rather, love, dedication, and an obedient faith to the heavenly Father (cf. Romans; Galatians; 1 John).

Second, the spiritual relationship with Jesus is not just based on a "blind" following and meaningless repitition.  (Jesus doesn't want a "blind faith").  He pointed to His disciples.  A disciple is a follower.  A learner in the true sense.  They are those who choose to follow by free will.  They continue to learn, grow, and produce fruit of righteousness.

A person of relationship with Jesus (and God) are those who "does the will of my (Jesus') Father in heaven" (Matthew 12:50).  Other passages in Scripture teach that this obedience is not one that attempts to earn their salvation (Romans; Galatians).  It is a faith that lives a life worthy of the gospel of Christ; i.e., because one desires to wholeheartedly live for Him because of His love that He has already given.

Are you in a relationship with God?

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves