J04 He is, and isn't, my brother?

I Timothy 1:1: "Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Saviour and of Christ Jesus our hope, to Timothy, my true child in the faith:"

Chrysostom (1):

"Mark well his reference to 'my true child.' Timothy is not the biological son of Paul. So what kind of son was he?...he adds: 'in the faith.' This shows that he was really his own son, and truly from him, there being no essential difference between father and son in the faith. The likeness he bore to him was in respect to his faith, just as in human births there is a substantive likeness. The son is like the father in human beings, but the analogy is even closer in the relation of human beings to God in faith. Though the father and son may be of the same genetic strain, they may differ in many particulars, as in color, figure, understanding, age, bent of mind, endowments of soul and body, and in many other things they may be alike or unlike. But in the relation of the divine Father and Son there is no such dissimilarity."

Reflection: As young boys, my brother and I were often taken for twins, despite over two years difference in age. As adults, we are strikingly different, and no one would assume from looking at us that we were even related. Sadly, we are also unalike, in that Jesus drew me to Himself when I was 25, but my brother has stayed as hostile to the Gospel, as we were raised to be.

How sweet is the relationship I have with perfect strangers, the moment we discover the Spirit in one another. We know the other intimately -- we know how he thinks, speaks, acts,--and how he loves. We know no fear of the stranger. Because, of course, he is my true sibling.

Greater than any human family resemblance is the spiritual resemblance of all who can call God Abba. All who have been adopted into His family. All who have a new life -- reborn into an eternal spiritual life.

I sincerely hope I will find others of my biological family in Heaven, but I have little hope of doing so, as none lived for Christ nor claimed to do so. For years my wife and I prayed salvation for my family of origin, but only in the last few months of her life did my mother, paralyzed for many years, make a verbal confession. But I have utter certainty, rock-like in assurance, that I will see my spiritual sisters and brothers there. Praise Jesus Saviour!

My prayer today: Lord, I pray you would soften the heart of my brother and those of my children and grandchildren who do not yet follow You. Bring them into repentance and belief. Put witnesses in their path who will say or do that which quickens their hearts to serve You. Lord, have mercy!

(1) "Homilies on 1 Timothy 1:1," Ancient Christian Commentary NT IX, Gorday, Ed.

11/16/18, 8/21/24