When you’re outside, sometimes it’s sooooo easy to make fun of your brother so you can look cool in front of the other neighborhood kids. As he acts silly, it’s tempting to roll your eyes and say, “He’s such a doofus.”
When you put him down instead of defending him, you are acting as if you need the other kids’ approval to be cool, to be “somebody.” Because of what Jesus did for you, laying down his life for you, God already approves of you. You don’t need other people to make you feel better about yourself.
Now Jesus calls you his brother or sister and encourages you to love your brother the way Jesus loves you. “I’m giving you a new commandment: Love each other in the same way that I have loved you. Everyone will know that you are my disciples because of your love for each other” (John 13:34,35).
As you think about the words you use with your siblings, isn’t it amazing that while Jesus grew up in a house full of brothers and sisters he never—not one single time—made fun of them or rolled his eyes at them. When Jesus died on a cross, he took the punishment for the times that your words hurt your family. Now when God looks at you, he doesn’t see your hurtful words; he sees Jesus’ perfection.
Chomp on this!
When have you put your brother or sister down? (If you’re an only child, think about the times you’ve put down your friends or talked about your parents in a bad way.)
What are some things you can change, with the Holy Spirit’s help, to love the people around you the way Jesus loves you?
