articles

Blood thicker than water

“You are worthy… because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God members of every tribe and language and people and nation” Revelation 5:9

“In time of test, family is best”
Burmese Proverb

“Most of us would give our own life for the survival of a family member, yet we lead our daily life too often as if we take our family for granted”
Paul Pearshall

The face of a little girl has been everywhere for months: we all know what Maddy looks like. Why? Because her parents are determined to do whatever it takes to get her back. She’s part of the family.

A few years ago I had a telephone call from a Christian friend. His brother-in-law had been arrested and imprisoned on a false charge. Ian Stillman, profoundly deaf, had given years of service to deaf people in India. Now he was in prison, isolated from friends and family.

But the isolation was only physical, not spiritual or emotional. His family literally moved heaven and earth on his behalf. They prayed – and encouraged countless others to pray. They pestered politicians in the UK and India – and prompted thousands to do the same.

Why? Because they were family. When one is in trouble, all rally round. Blood is thicker than water.

When my wife and I adopted our son, I can remember gazing down at him, just a tiny child, and consciously making a commitment to him that I would be a loving father, always there for him. He was one of the family.

So at Easter, as we focus on the Son of God dying for us, we are reminded of a Father’s love so profound, willing to pay the ultimate price so we could become one of His family. Love is always expressed in action.

When we come into a new relationship with God through the blood of Christ, we come into a new relationship with the family that is the body of Christ.

I want Open Doors to be a ministry that keeps you in touch with your family. And I want it to be a ministry that allows you to express your love and care for your family – through your prayers, through your giving, through your letterwriting, through your campaigning: active family members.

Jesus gave His life to bring you into His family: that’s how much He cares. Some of His family are giving their lives for Him, right now, this Easter. And if they are part of His family, they are part of our family too.

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:18)