Now this picture does indeed say a thousand words. For how do you really explain the bond that exists within a family; especially that which exists between a mother and her child?
Familial love encompasses so many emotions and actions, which vary from family member to member. The love between husband and wife is different in type than between a child and a parent. The love between siblings is different as well. And, family love is different than the kinship you may have towards someone outside the family. “Family” means a commitment in a deeper sense, a no “matter what happens” sort of thing that is quite often sacrificial.
In the original Greek, the deepest sacrificial love is called agape (αγαπας). The love between friends, phileo (φιλω) is more like “an affection for”. This will be important later on...
After Jesus’ Resurrection, the apostles went back to their prior occupation of fishing. Jesus encounters them at the sea of Tiberias and helps them get fish; almost more than they can handle. The apostles bring them to shore and Jesus prepares a meal (John 21:1-14) Then, after the meal, this interesting exchange occurs…
John 21 ( World English Bible )
15 So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "“Simon, son of Jonah, do you love (αγαπας) me more than these?”"
He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection (φιλω) for you.”
He said to him, "“Feed my lambs.”"
16 He said to him again a second time, "“Simon, son of Jonah, do you love (αγαπας) me?”"
He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection (φιλω) for you.”
He said to him, "“Tend my sheep.”"
17 He said to him the third time, "“Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection (φιλεις) for me?”"
Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, "“Do you have affection (φιλεις) for me?”" He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection (φιλω) for you.”
Jesus said to him, "“Feed my sheep. "
Jesus asks Peter if he loves (agape in Greek, above) him (more than these [the fish they just caught]). Peter keeps on saying the he “has affection for” (the word for friendship, above in Greek phileo) Jesus. This repeated question irritates Peter, as I imagine the call to feed or care for the lambs of Jesus does as well.
The point here is that if you really love with the greatest love (that is the sacrificial kind embodied in the word agape) then you will not ignore other family of God members and do what real family members do (take care of one another and build them up). Occupations are important, but family is MORE important!
As Christians, we are not alone, we are part of the body of Christ and therefore members of one another. We are to love and build one another up because we love with the highest love that there can be. We learn (and keep on learning this) this love from Jesus and express that love to the world and especially to our brethren, Galatians 6:10. Our lives are as intertwined with our brethren in Christ. We may not express it in quite the same way as the picture at the top (because we do not have a trunk) but, there is no doubt; CHRISTIANS ARE FAMILY, REAL FAMILY!
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