B is for Brotherhood

Brotherhood (noun)

1. : the quality or state of being brothers
2. : a fellowship or alliance
3. : an association (such as a labour union or monastic society) for a particular purpose
4. : the whole body of persons engaged in a business or profession

Christian brotherhood refers to the idea of fellowship and community, particularly within the family of God. It's a concept that goes beyond earthly family ties, a bond that confirms all men and women are part of a larger family as we are all God's children. Why not Google the word Koinonia for further study?

Hebrews 2:11-12 (NIV)

Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says,

“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;

in the assembly I will sing your praises.”

My Brother

"You're my friend and You are my brother
Even though You are a king
And I love You more than any other,
So much more than anything..."

A group of us were deep in study at our local House Fellowship group as part of our Lent course, looking at various names that people have used over the years for Jesus. A little light came on when the words 'my brother' came up. This brought to mind one of the verses from 'As The Deer' (lyrics by Martin J. Nystrom, verse noted above). It also planted a little thought in my head which led to this post.

Now, if I start to think about Jesus as my brother, it doesn't necessarily bring with it any pre-conceived ideas. I never had a brother or a sister when I grew up. Well, strictly that's not true. I have a half-brother and a half-sister (my dad was married and had two children with his first wife; after she passed away he married my mum and they had me). However, these two of my family were that much older than I, therefore they never grew up with me; I never developed that sort of closeness you get with siblings. So, essentially, I was raised as an only child.

Which of course means that I never climbed trees with a brother; we never had adventures together; we never went through the same life experiences together. There wasn't that brotherly bond that this term seems to imply.

So, how can I begin to identify with Jesus as 'my brother'? Perhaps I should take some examples from modern popular culture?

Bart Simpson and his sister Lisa?
Sherlock Holmes and his brother Mycroft?
Barry and Paul, The Chuckle Brothers?

Err ... perhaps not.

Well, a quick glance along my science fiction DVD shelf gives me quite a few examples of sibling relationships, unfortunately many of these don't seem to work very well either. Here's a few of the better-known ones, after a few minutes brainstorming:

Data and Lore (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
Thor and Loki (Marvel Comics)
Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch (Marvel Comics)
The Human Torch and The Invisible Woman (Marvel Comics)
Peter and Nathan Petrelli (Heroes)
Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia (Star Wars)

I guess that I have more chance of understanding this if I take a broader view of 'brotherhood'. More than just simple genetics, this sort of 'brother' would be closer than a friend, indeed becoming so trusted and so close that you would be close as a member of your own family. And closer still ... sticking together, no matter what ...

And that's the kind of relationship Jesus wanted with mankind. He gave up so much when He came down to Earth as a human being, yet He wanted to become our 'brother' so he could have a chance at achieving that sort of intimacy. Closer than just friends. Closer than shared blood lines. Closer even than shared parents. Shared lives. Walking each step of the way together.

Hebrews 2:11-12 (NIV)
Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says,

“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the assembly I will sing your praises.”

The offer is still open.

Happy Easter to you.
:)

Yoked Fellowship: part two

I ended my last blog entry with an opportunity to reflect on the word 'yokefellow', which I had found mentioned in one of Paul's letters...

Philippians 4:3
(KJV) And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

(CEV) And, my true partner, I ask you to help them. These women have worked together with me and with Clement and with the others in spreading the good news. Their names are now written in the book of life.

The word 'yokefellow' is an archaic term for a fellow worker used in the King James Version, however one that refers straight back to The Lord's teaching that I shared earlier. (I also like the CEV translation of 'true partner' which is why I've added it.) Paul uses this term to describe the unique partnership shared between fellow Christians who work closely together.

The Greek word for yokefellow is συζυγος (sunzugos) which implies someone who is 'yoked together', therefore a close companion, a business associate, perhaps even a marriage partner. Harnessed together as a team. In fact, Philippians 4:3 is the only time this word is used in the New Testament. Some scholars say Paul is referring to a person by name (or perhaps a nickname), however this view is not held by all.

It's interesting to note that early-day disciples were sent out in groups of two. These disciples lived together; worked together; played together; prayed together. True partners. They were like-minded, with a common goal, a common enthusiasm. They were there for one another, helping each other, bearing each others burdens. Not judging, but supporting. And totally enthusiastic about their calling!

I get it now. And there's something very attractive in this.

Thoughts On Brotherhood And Suffering

Philippians 3:7-11 (New International Version, ©2011)

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

This weekend has been a real eye-opener. Saturday saw me attending a men's fellowship conference day in Romford, which was really good to attend for a number of reasons. The main thing I brought back from that day is the importance of sharing and receiving comradeship within a church fellowship - which in the context of men's ministry represents a supportive brotherhood. I really warmed to this idea, having been brought up as an only child and therefore lacking the benefit of brothers. I spent a good part of the subsequent evening getting this into context, reviewing all those 'fraternal' relationships I had experienced in my life, and in particular since becoming a Christian in 1988.

Today, the Spirit really moved me during the morning meeting at the Corps. Bullseye, a hit dead centre. Zoe was preaching on Philippians 3 at the time, with the words about 'participation in His sufferings' resounding within me. Words cannot adequately express how I felt, but it was powerful.

In trying to unpack my own feelings on this topic this afternoon, this led me to a study on koinonia, the English version of the Greek word κοινωνία that refers to the sort of fellowship experienced by members of the early church, starting from Acts 2. These Christians were united together in love, faith, and encouragement. Identifying with Christ's own sufferings, they bore each others burdens as they lived and worked together. They kept going and didn't give up. Could the reading from Philippians from this morning have something to do with those thoughts on fellowship/brotherhood from Saturday? I think so.

I'll end this entry with words from Graham Kendrick's song 'Knowing You', which speaks of the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus as a foundation to Christian service. The song is inspired from Philippians, with the third verse being based on this particular passage:-

Oh, to know the power of Your risen life,

And to know You in Your suffering,

To become like You in Your death, My Lord,

So with You to live and never die.

Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You.

There is no greater thing.

You're my all, You're the best,

You're my joy, My righteousness;

And I love You, Lord.

(Graham Kendrick, Copyright © 1993 Make Way Music)