Some things we were taught in our childhood homes, we put in place in our own home. Certain behaviours were acceptable and the family that adhered to those behaviours was united by them.
They were something like a badge of definition. The family you came from was identified by the behaviour of its members and the family as a total gave the picture of the individual. The highest accolade you could hear was to be told you ‘came from a good family’
It seems to me that if we claim Jesus as our brother and on His own words, we have that right, ‘whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother and sister and mother,’ Matthew 12:50, then our behaviour and attitude should show it.
What I know of this brother called Jesus is that he was an example of wearing the family badge. He believed the laws written on stone produced good family behaviour and he wore them like an identity badge.
He was faithful to his Father’s commandment in worship, he ‘went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day as he regularly did’, Luke 4:16 from Exodus 20:8: he respected his parents according to his Father’s commandment, ‘he continued to be under their authority’, Luke 2:51 from Exodus 20:12: and he was obedient to his all Father’s commandments, ‘I obey his word’, John 8:55 from Exodus 20:3.
I want to be faithful in worship, and even if I am not physically in church, I want to be respectful in my attitude to the Lord at all times.
I want to respect my parents, (or my elders or my teachers, or whatever the relevant situation might be.)
I want to wear the family badge of obedience to the laws of good family behaviour.
As in all families, there are many times I do not live up to family expectations but even though I fall far short of them, I want them as a safeguard against exploitation and I want them to guard you against my abuses.
Elizabeth Price
By Just a Minute team writer Elizabeth Price. You can contact Elizabeth direct at mailto:reprice@dragnet.com.au < mailto:reprice@dragnet.com.au>