I was blessed to grow up with two sisters and a brother. There were times when we would fuss and fight with one another. But as the oldest, I knew my responsibility would be to defend them if someone else meant them harm. The unwritten sibling law is that it is okay if we harm one another, but if someone else intends to harm our siblings, then it is definitely not okay.
After Moses had grown up as the son of Pharaoh's daughter, the Bible says that "he went out unto his brethren" (Exodus 2:11). Moses' parents were descended from Levi, the son of Jacob. Moses was an Israelite. When he looked upon his fellow Israelites, he saw their "burdens." These burdens are described earlier in Exodus: Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses (Exodus 1:11). Moses also saw "an Egyptian smiting... one of his brethren." Therefore, he came to his defense: And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian (Acts 7:24).
It is natural to have concern for your brethren, whether that is to defend them when they are wronged, or to help them when they are in need. In addition to your siblings, your brethren are also fellow Christians. In regards to Christian bondservants and their duty toward their Christian masters, Paul noted that they were both brethren: And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort (1 Timothy 6:2).
We could imagine what a challenge it would be for a servant to exhibit this attitude toward his Christian master. The servant might be thinking, "You are a Christian as I am. You should know better than to own me like a piece of property." It would take time for the gospel to change the hearts of men and destroy the evil institution of slavery, but until that happened, these servants were to think like Christ toward their masters/brethren. Since they were instructed to do so under such circumstances, how much more should we, who live free from all men?
Since Christians are our brethren, and especially here at St. Andrews Road, as we all serve under the same eldership and come together weekly to worship God, we need to keep defending and helping one another. But let us do so more and more. True brotherhood demands this. As brethren in Christ, our bond should be as strong, if not stronger than with our blood relatives who are not Christians. Jesus' love is supreme because it was not based on familiarity, but on his gracious choice to love us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8). Therefore, we should show this same kind of love toward our Christian brethren: Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (1 John 3:16). Do you feel this way about your church family? Give it some thought.
Brotherly, Jamie
