john hurren Supporter Ex Teacher of Science and Tech at secondary level.

I feel that we become small, but important, adopted brothers and sisters to Jesus Christ. God in the person of Jesus is still the Only Son of God the Father. But, through our faith in Jesus, God the Father allows us the honour of being brothers and sisters in and with Jesus Christ. Collectively, our church becomes His bride.

I like the Hymn that declares Jesus Christ as our 'master and our friend'. I like to think of Him as my LORD and Mighty Brother and Sovereign Saviour.
Familial relationships are probably organised very differently in Heaven; and perfectly.

June 19 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Seth Freeman Supporter

I can't think of anything in Scripture off the top of my head that would lead me to consider Jesus as a brother of sorts. Jesus is God. He is my Creator and my Redeemer. If you're looking for a Biblical analogy, then what we do have is that we are the bridegroom of Christ, not the brother or sister.

June 19 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Galen Smith Supporter Retired from Multnomah Bible College and Biblical Seminary

My answer to your question is “yes,” we are also God’s children, and are, “in a way,” brothers of Jesus. The Bible speaks far more often of Jesus as our Lord and Savior, but it does speak of him as our brother also. Speaking of Jesus, Hebrews 2:11-12 says, “Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says, ‘I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.’” A few verses later we read, “For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17). In this section the author of Hebrews is making the point that Jesus became a genuine human being in order to be a proper substitute for man’s sin, as well as a proper high priest to offer himself as the atoning sacrifice for sin.

There are also a few passages in the gospels where Jesus refers to other people as his brothers. Matthew 12:50 says, “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 25:40 reads, “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 28:10 says, “Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’”

Romans 8:29 tells us, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” The word “firstborn” translates the Greek prototokos, which literally means “firstborn,” but can also mean “preeminent one” or “supreme one.” That is probably its meaning here.

Believers in Christ are children of God, but not in the same way or at the same level as Jesus. Scripture speaks of us as God’s adopted children. It also says we are “born again” or “born from above.” Being physically adopted, I appreciate the idea of being adopted as a child of God. I have a friend who appreciates the idea of being spiritually born into God’s family. Both are biblical concepts, but how they may interact I do not know.

Jesus, however, is God’s unique, only-born Son. The Greek word monogenes literally means “only born,” “only generated,” and metaphorically “one of a kind,” or “unique.” He is of the same nature and essence as the Father, while we are not.

So, even though we are rightfully called Jesus’ brothers, it does not mean in every way, nor to every degree. We are not equal to him. But isn't it wonderful that Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers (and sisters)?

January 27 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report