Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Today, allow me to reflect on a big brother being a role model.

Today’s scripture, Hebrews 2:10-12 (NIV) says…
[10] In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. [11] Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. [12] He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.”

Consider…
Growing up I had many amazing women in my life, some of whom I have written about in this blog. But as a young boy growing into a man, I found myself most enamored with my big brother. He was always bigger than life to me, literally 6 inches taller and much more physically fit than me. Beyond his physical superiority, he had a swagger and charisma about him that made him the coolest man on earth.

Yet, in all my big brother’s greatness, he loved me, his baby brother, to death. I remember him letting me drive his car, which I almost crashed. That was a big deal because he loved his cars. I also remember him developing my R&B music taste, which I have redeemed for God from time to time in my writing. And I remember him giving me great advice as an adult, like be on vacation when you take vacation, and make sure you’re taking care of yourself.

Needless to say, I love and appreciate my big brother.

In addition to all of the wonderful characteristics and experiences that I cherish about my big brother, I think what melts my heart the most is when he tells me that he’s proud of me and loves me and is glad that I am his brother. I thought of that when I read, “So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters”, in today’s scripture.

Often we cherish Jesus as…

• God’s only begotten Son
• God incarnate
• Lord and Savior
• The Good Shepherd
• Lamb of God
• Master
• Teacher

Heck, I even brag about Jesus being my friend.

But I can’t recall many sermons or songs that celebrate Jesus as our big brother. That’s interesting given the fact we recognize ourselves as children of God.

Romans 8:29 (NIV) tells us…
[29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

And a few verses earlier, Romans 8:17 (NIV) explained…
[17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

There is a different connection shared between siblings compared to any other relationship. Siblings, regardless of the age gap, share a parent and parenting that shapes their similar perspectives on life. For example, all of my siblings and I grew up with a strict mother who raised us to love and fear God. We also were taught to respect others, especially our elders. And we learned work ethic and independence, blended with being a blessing to others at all times.

I remember watching my brother, who was a carpenter, providing professional handyman services to friends and families in his spare time for little to no pay. I also remember my sister using her nursing skills to help others in need in her community, with the same professional care she provided in her hospital.

You see we developed a helping heart from watching our mom drive her pedestrian friends and strangers to and fro with no expectations of gas replenishment. In fact I remember many times hearing my mother say no charge.

Something else I find interesting as the youngest of four, I learned how to be a respectful and obedient child, watching my brother.

I remember there was a time as a teenager that I was disrespectful to my mother, and she called my adult brother to talk to me. Now my mom and sisters would try to gently correct me most of the time, but my brother always kept it real and told me like it was and needed to be in no uncertain terms. Needless to say, that was the last time I disrespected my mom.

In the same way, our big brother Jesus teaches us how we should interact with our Heavenly Father.

For example, in Matthew 6:9-10 (NIV) Jesus taught us how to talk to our Daddy…
[9] “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, [10] your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

And in John 15:9-10 (NIV) Jesus taught us on how to maintain our love relationship with Him and our Heavenly Father. He said…
[9] “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. [10] If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

And our big brother pointed out that obedience is a prerequisite for Kingdom Citizenship. In Matthew 7:21 (NIV) Jesus emphasized…
[21] “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

I also appreciate how our eldest sibling showed us the benevolence of our Father in Matthew 7:9-11 (NIV)…
[9] “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? [10] Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? [11] If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

There are too many lessons taught by our big brother Jesus to cite, but suffice to say, we should look up to Him and follow His example.

This is a good place to pause and thank God for my big brothers, both the one still here on earth with me, and the One sent to earth and coming back for me.

The Holy Spirit is guiding me to close with Galatians 4:4-7 (NIV)
[4] But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. [6] Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” [7] So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

God is emphasizing the fact that He wants a Fatherly relationship with us, that mirrors that of our big brother Jesus!

So today, I encourage you to include ‘big brother’ in your fond reflections of who Jesus is to you. Actually, let’s all go one step further and strive to be more like our big brother Jesus!

Today’s Song is…
Less Like Me

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)