”I want to start by asking you a few questions.
“Do you ask others for help when you need it? Do you talk to others about what you are struggling with? Do you think it's important to be vulnerable with others? Would you say that you depend on others and they depend on you? Keep what these questions make you feel at the top of your mind while reading.”
In Christianity, we see followers of Christ refer to each other as brother or sister. Have you ever thought about the significance of that? I hadn’t until a college assignment about the family that is Christianity.
We read “When the Church Was a Family: Recapturing Jesus’ Vision for Authentic Christian Community” by Joseph H. Hellerman. It speaks about the way Jesus used the terms “brothers” and “sisters” in relation to the community He calls us into with fellow believers.
We weren’t there with Jesus, but we can do our best to look at the history and context of what Jesus could have meant by this.
We know Jesus often uses metaphors when teaching to explain the meaning. For example, Jesus used metaphors about war to those he was speaking to because this was something they understood. We can use this same lens when understanding why Jesus used the terms “brother” and “sister” to those He was speaking to. Jesus used the metaphor of “brother” and “sister” to explain what He is calling His followers to.
“And now we are brothers and sisters in God’s family because of the blood of Jesus, and he welcomes us to come into the most holy sanctuary in the heavenly realm—boldly and without hesitation. (Hebrews 10:19)”
In Mediterranean culture, at the time, the bond of siblings was one of the greatest bonds. It was the relationship which you received emotional support from, and one of the biggest betrayals you could make would be to a sibling.
Jesus even uses brothers and sisters as one of the examples of the most important relationships the disciples would be giving up if they chose to follow Him. This shows the significance of this relationship to Him.
“Many people were traveling with Jesus. He said to them, “If you come to me but will not leave your family, you cannot be my follower. You must love me more than your father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters—even more than your own life!” (Luke 14:25-26)
”The metaphor of a sibling relationship is used to show how followers of Christ are meant to see each other.
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10)
“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind” (1 Peter 3:8)
Followers of Christ were called into a brother and sister relationship with each other.
I now ask you the question, “how are we supposed to live a life dependent on God and dependent on others?”
This seems contradictory.
What I am gathering is that they might be the same. That spending time with God and spending time with his people are more intertwined than I knew. That serving God, is serving His people. That depending on God, is also depending on His people. That being part of the body of Christ is working together. Sacrificing for others, and accepting sacrifices from others.
”What is God telling you about the way he wants you to be vulnerable with others, offering your sisterhood or brotherhood, and accepting it in return? Listen, and follow Him!
Joseph H. Hellerman, When the Church Was a Family: Recapturing Jesus’ Vision for Authentic Christian Community(Nashville, TN: B&H Books, 2009)
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Madison Fowler
Madison is the Widows Program Manager at Stand In The Gap. She has been with Stand In The Gap since August of 2024. She has seen God direct her purpose and turn her weaknesses into His calling for her life. She has lived in Oklahoma her entire life and is surrounded by her immediate and extended family. She is grateful to have served and worked in various ministries and that God has plans for the experiences she has witnessed and been through in her own life, knowing that he will use it to serve others.
