Living an Oikos-centric Lifestyle = Living a Christ-centric Lifestyle!

Leif Holmes

While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." He replied to them, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." Matthew 12:46-50

WOW! I don't know how that story strikes you, but for me it's a bit of a jolt! In essence, Jesus is prioritizing his Oikos above every other relationship he had, including his own biological family! This is living an Oikos-centric lifestyle. That can make us feel uncomfortable, (which is, by the way, pretty much how Jesus made everybody feel at some point or another - see Luke 14:26 for a similarly uncomfortable statement!)

Pastor Jim often says, let's "tell the truth and shame the devil," so let's do that: As faithful followers of Jesus, we set aside our preferences, our comfort and our convenience. There's no way around it. Jesus does not suggest this, he commands it. He expects His followers to deny themselves and take up their cross, just as he did.

Make no mistake - At times living an Oikos-centric lifestyle will be uncomfortable and costly. But that's the very definition of following Jesus:

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45

So, who has Jesus called you to pray for, to serve, to love? Who is your brother, your sister, your mother?