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b'If anyone understands messed up families, it\\u2019s Jesus.\\nImagine the ridicule He received growing up when His neighbors and friends assumed His mother had Him out of wedlock. People at school probably muttered about how neither Jesus nor Mary deserved to live. Their cruel words could have rivaled some of the insults I received from bullies in middle school.\\nAdd to that, His father likely died before He began His ministry. With few occupations available for widows back then, taking care of Mary became Jesus\\u2019 responsibility as the firstborn (John 19:25-27). No pressure there, especially on top of the whole Messiah gig.\\nNot to mention His mother and siblings stormed one of His sermons, likely to tell Him to keep quiet. Even James, Jesus\\u2019 brother, doubted Jesus\\u2019 true identity as the Messiah until long after His death and resurrection. You heard that right: His own brother didn\\u2019t believe in Him.\\nGrowing up, when confronted with constant sibling fights and my parents\\u2019 divorce, I hated the meaning of family. To me, family meant slamming doors and shouting matches. I would forget that I have a family bigger than the one in my house. Even though my biological mother and brothers may cause disappointment, my family in Christ gives me hope because, in Him, I always have a family\\u2014one that lasts forever, rooted in His promises.\\nSure, we mess up. Our Christ-family still slams doors and causes deep hurts. But we all take part in a restoration process. Messed up? Sure. Storming Jesus\\u2019 kingdom to tell Him He\\u2019s not doing a good job? Guilty as charged.\\nBut Jesus calls us family, walking with us and restoring our broken selves through His death and resurrection. If anyone can turn a messy family into something beautiful, it\\u2019s Him. \\n\\u2022 Everybody has some brokenness in their family. What kinds of brokenness do you see in your family? Pray for Jesus to restore your family and heal your hurts. \\u2022 Maybe your family is also part of your Christ-family. Wonderful! Praise God for that here. But maybe your family doesn\\u2019t believe in Jesus. Take time here to pray for them and to ask God to show you how to tell them about Jesus. \\nFor whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother. Matthew 12:50 (CSB)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nMatthew 12:46-50'