Thanksgiving is one of my favourite holidays. It is a great chance to reflect on the past year and remember to thank God for the great things He has done in my life. It is also a good opportunity to look forward and revision where we hope to be.

I was reading some testimonies of people who have worked in orphanages who have told stories of children wanting to return to their homes no matter how bad things were. The tie between family members often overcomes and leads them to tolerate the most adverse circumstances. This is why the saying “blood is thicker than water” rings so true. Do other similar ties exist?

In Mark 3, we have an interesting story that speaks about family dynamics. In verses 31-35 we find this:
“And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

At first glance, we might feel that Jesus acted rather rudely toward His family. But this is not the case. His family was very important to Him. His mother, Mary, and His brother joined the other believers in the upper room on Pentecost. Jesus did not reject His family, but showed us something comforting.He said at the end of this passage that those who were not His blood relatives His brothers and sisters.

Throughout the ages, right up to this day, all believers can know that Jesus considers us part of His family. That is why all believers (all those who do His will) are brothers and sisters of each other and of Jesus. In this way, all of us, together with this Child are children of the Father. Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, “Our Father…” His blood, which flowed for all of us, makes us His family. How comforting is that?

Jesus shows us that spiritual ties are just as strong and binding (and maybe more?) as family. Jesus has been preparing the way for a new community of believers – a new family. Jesus’ family is no longer limited to His own flesh and blood.

Paul understood that when he wrote in Ephesians 2:19, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,” Blood is thicker than water, but the ties of our spiritual family should not be underestimated.

Desmund Tutu said, “You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” It is easy to be thankful for our relatives, but we should never forget our spiritual brothers and sisters and give thanks for the wonderful things they bring into our lives.