#279 – My Brother?

I once had a brother
   a twin like no other.

We walked and we talked,
   and we loved and we fought
   but we’d be true to the end
   ‘cause we were those “Stoltzfus twins.”

But now he’s with Jesus.
   and he left me alone.
Or did he?

There was one we called Father
   and that made us brothers,
     so what does it mean for me today
   if there’s Another I call Father?

And what does it mean
   if others call him Father?
   Does that make them my brothers too?

And what does it mean
  if another calls me “brother?”
For it is Jesus who said:
    “For whoever does the will of God,
   he is My brother and sister and mother.”*

And what does it mean that hundreds of millions of persecuted,
   and of those literally starving for daily bread
      and for the Bread of Life  
   also call Him “Father?”

Might we actually be “blood brothers” in the truest sense?

Does their need for both daily and eternal sustenance
   touch me and call to me as if our lives were joined as family?
Are we family?

Do I dare to ask myself those questions?
Do I dare to ask you?
Do I dare to ask Jesus?

Or has He already said who my brother and sister are,
   and spoken – –  “But whoever has the world’s goods,
   and sees his brother in need
   and closes his heart against him,
   how does the love of God abide in him?”**

* Mark 3:35 nasb1995    ** I John 3:17 nasb 1995 

Ken Stoltzfus
March 22, 2023 

CLICK HERE for a printable pdf.