Brothers

Key Thought | Jesus is both the One who sanctifies and the One who calls us family. He is not ashamed of us – not in our process, our weakness, or our becoming.

“For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” – Hebrews‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I love the Bible. There are so many little nuggets hidden in it when we take the time to treat it like a treasure field instead of a task. The verse above is one of those gems. Look closely:

“For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified…”

Jesus, through His sacrifice, sanctified those who believe in Him. Depending on what version you read, it may say “sanctified” or “being sanctified.” So which is it? One tense suggests something already finished, a done deal. The other suggests an ongoing process, still in motion.

The answer? It’s both.

We have been sanctified by the finished work on the cross, and we are also being sanctified daily. God is still working on me, and I’m so grateful He is. Yet, because God knows all things and time is under His control, my sanctification is secure in Him.

“…are all of one.”

There is a deep unity between Jesus and His brothers and sisters. Through His physical birth, He shared our human nature; through our new birth, we share His holy nature. The Holy Spirit brings us into His family, adopted as sons and daughters.

The fact that He calls us His brothers and sisters is something we should never overlook. We share in Christ’s inheritance as children of God. The Bible declares that we are co-heirs with Christ. If that truth ever truly settles in our hearts, it would change our lives forever.

“…for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.”

He isn’t ashamed of you, your failures, shortcomings, or the places still being refined. He isn’t ashamed of your process. He has seen the end; He knows His Word is stronger than your weakness, and His love is greater than your fear. He knows the plans He has for you and the challenges ahead. He has already authored your story…and it’s good.

The verdict on you has already been declared in heaven. He is not ashamed of you or of me.

So the next time you struggle, fail, or do something foolish, remember: while you were surprised, He wasn’t.

Repentance gives no room for shame to live in us. The quicker we turn to Him, the quicker we encounter His love. We often wonder if He has changed His mind about us. He hasn’t, and He won’t. He’s just waiting for us to stop running and turn back to Him.

Prayer | Father, thank You for calling me Your child and for never being ashamed of me. Thank You for the finished work of Jesus that sanctified me—and for continuing to shape me into Your likeness every day. When I fall short, remind me that You have already seen my end and declared it good. Help me to walk in confidence as Your beloved. Amen.

Reflection | Take a few minutes to reflect on the fact that Jesus calls you His brother or sister. How might your life look different if you truly believed He is not ashamed of you, even in your weakest moments?

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