“We discern God’s will by sitting at the feet of Jesus.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 12, 2026
Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:31-35, NIV
In Mark 3, Jesus gives us a window into what it means to truly belong to the family of God. Here, we find Jesus teaching on the kingdom of God and inviting people into this transforming reality, yet in the midst of it, his biological family arrives, and they are looking for him. Understandably, the crowd approaches Jesus to let him know that they have arrived. However, our Lord sees in this moment a teaching opportunity that offers insight and clarity not only for those gathered in that moment, but for all people at all times and in all places.
It is easy to have too narrow or too broad a definition of family. On the one hand, family can be reduced to those with whom we share genetics. This is, perhaps, the most typical use of this word. Yet on the other hand, we can speak in sweeping terms of the brotherhood of man and our shared humanity, the bonds that unite us all. And of course, this is also true in a certain sense.
Our Lord loves biological families, and he loves every single person he has ever made, yet he reminds us today that there is another form of belonging that, in truth, supersedes both of these definitions. The family of God is not defined by ethnicity, biology, gender, language, or culture but is made up of those who see all of these identities as secondary to the one true source of belonging: “Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:35).
Families spend time together. Their identity as a family is shaped and formed by their common life. In the simplest of terms, you cannot know someone if you do not spend time with them. This is true of every single relationship, including our life with God. If you are wondering what the will of God is for your life, you will only find this answer by living in relationship with God. Notice the recipients of these words from our Lord: “he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said…” (v. 34). Like these early disciples, let us today remember that we discern God’s will by sitting at the feet of Jesus. This is our source of life and the place where our true identity is shaped and formed as we live, day in and day out, as his faithful sons and daughters.
Prayer
Father, remind us today that our true home is at the feet of Jesus, for it is only there that we will discern your will and be reminded of our truest identity, in the power of your Spirit we pray. Amen.
Application
Spend unhurried time with Jesus today in prayer and meditation, resting in your identity as his son or daughter, and seek afresh to do his will in every area of your life.
Related Reading
Romans 8:14-15; Galatians 3:28-29; Ephesians 2:19
Worship Resource
Hillsong Worship: Who You Say I Am
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