No Mission or Calling Releases Us From Family Responsibility

While Jesus was dying to save the entire world, while He was accomplishing the greatest mission in human history, He still took time to care for His mother. This is the perfect model for us because none of us—not one—are discharged from the sacred duty and obligation of caring for our families, starting with our parents. The fifth commandment, which bridges our worship of God with our walk for God, commands us to “honor our father and mother.” This means respect them, spend time with them, listen to them, care for them—especially as they grow old. First Timothy is startlingly clear: “If anyone does not provide for his relatives and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” Those are strong words. You may think you’re changing the world or representing some great cause, but your greatest calling, your greatest cause, is the legacy of your own family. No matter what you accomplish in life, you cannot be considered successful if you don’t care for your own family. We live in a culture that devalues and often discards the elderly, but Jesus calls us to do the opposite—to include and embrace our loved ones. Don’t miss the opportunity to tell your parents you love them. Spend time with them. Show them respect. And make sure when you come to the end, like Jesus, you leave a legacy of love for your family. If your parents are no longer living, take a moment now to offer a prayer of thanks to God for your parents and the influence they have had on your life. We can honor our father and mother both while they are alive and after their death. May we honor them well today just as Jesus honored His mother on that day.