The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry 
Walking home from second-grade school was a frightening experience. I had a sickening feeling in my stomach. I wished I could fly over the troublesome streets and be immediately home. Three or four boys, bigger and older than me, thought their mission was to make me miserable. If they saw me walking home alone, they approached and surrounded me. Then they would hit me, knock me down, make me look helpless, and then leave, laughing. Every time I saw them coming, I wished I could vanish.
Then one day, one of my three older brothers, walking home, witnessed my predicament. Suddenly my tormenters were frightened as my brother quickly “dispatched” them. They hastily left the scene, and I no longer had trouble with them. How very thankful I was for my elder brother.
But today, I have a much better, stronger, and authoritative older brother. And if you are a born-again Christian, you have the identical elder brother. His name is Jesus.
Romans 8:29 says, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” If Jesus is the firstborn, then we must be the younger brothers. Romans 8:15 states, “Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption.” Verse 16 declares, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children o God: And if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.”
Jesus wanted to bring us into His family. Because of this, He paid a great price and was willing to be made “like his brethren” (Hebrews 2:17), “taste death for every man” (Hebrews 2:9), and then was not ashamed to call us brethren (Hebrews 2:12).
Do you realize that Jesus, our elder brother, sacrificed His life to pay for our sins so God could forgive you and adopt you into His family? We are now members of His family with all the full rights and privileges of a family member.
We are joint heirs with Him. We have all heard of family squabbles when a lawyer read the parent’s will. Each child wanted their share, or more than their share, of the family fortune.
Jesus, our elder brother, wanted to share His inheritance with us! Even now – before we reach heaven, God has raised us to sit together in heavenly places through Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6).
Jesus has promised us, his brethren, an eternal home in heaven. “In my Father’s house are many mansions: – – – If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2,3).
Revelations 21 and 22 contain the fulfillment of all promises. In Revelation 21:7, He promises, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”
After that promise, the apostle John describes the holy city, the new Jerusalem. The light of the city is like a clear jasper stone. The wall has twelve gates named after the twelve tribes of Israel. The twelve supporting foundations of the wall, garnished with precious stones, are named after the twelve apostles. The twelve gates are each one a massive pearl. The city and the streets are pure gold.
More significant than the city’s beauty are the things that are not there: no night, sun, or moon because the glory of God and the Lamb light it. There is no temple because the Lord God and the Lamb are the temple. There will be no sin (Revelation 21:27) and no curse (Revelation 22:3), but the throne of God and the Lamb are in it.
Revelation 22:4 records the most glorious inheritance: “They shall see his face.” We will see Him, be with Him, serve Him, and reign with Him forever.
What marvelous blessing, joys, and inheritance is ours because Jesus is our elder brother!
If you are a born-again Christian, you are a child of God and a joint heir with Christ. You are a CHILD OF THE KING and a member of the royal family BECAUSE JESUS WAS WILLING TO BE YOUR ELDER BROTHER. Are you living like a child of the King?
Dale,
Another great message!
God Bless~
P.S. ” I had to add, that I know all about bullying. I was constantly bullied and beaten up several times. My oldest cousin one day was there in school, doing something and saw what was happening. He saved me from six girls surrounding me and tormenting me. So, I can identify with that. I think the bullying kind of “birthed” my social worker/Long Term Care Administrator in a nursing home career. Helping those who are vulnerable. I wanted to add this because I saw Cora’s note. It made me want to share. And I know that God was with me all the time and brought beauty for my ashes. I loved my career, it was quite the calling.”
An amazing message because of an Amazing God!
I can identify with your story. Not that I was bullied like you were but it was something that is still common today.
I remember those long walks back home from where the school bus picked us up and dropped us off as an elementary grade kid. But my story is of an older boy who lived on our road named Steve. He lived about half way closer than I had to go. One day I twisted my ankle and couldn’t put my foot down to walk on it without a lot of pain.
My mother didn’t drive so it would not do much good to get word to her somehow. My brother close to my age came to the rescue and thought to go and tell Steve and sure enough both are coming towards me in a short time.
Steve picked me up and carried me the rest of the way home. Indeed my ankle was swollen but what a relief!
I haven’t forgotten that all these years and was so grateful for his kindness.
Reminds me when I think about this incident that the Lord also picks us up from the mire and carries us many times when troubles come our way as well as taking us to our forever home.
I have to state an incident that I had in junior high. The bell rang for recess and I walked down the hall and towards the doors leading out to the back of the school.
I knew of three girls older than me who were known to gang up on younger students. They acted tough and got their golly out of intimidating others. To me they were big girls as I am short to begin with; only 5 feet tall. Anyway the moment I pushed the door open I was slugged in my face and knocked to the pavement by the leader of the pack. They were laughing while other students rushed to my aid and someone went for a teacher. My gum was bleeding and would not stop. My mother was called to come to the school. It had loosened my bottom tooth. Fortunately it was surprising that this tooth hadn’t come out when I was younger in that exact spot so another tooth would grow in it’s place but not quite where I expected it to. By that time my other teeth had crowded out that small space so that it came a bit more in front of where it could have been.
I don’t recall the consequences of what took place with those girls but I don’t recall any more problems with them ever again.
I am commenting after reading C D’s story. Was saddened to hear this but was glad she used it in a positive way as we can choose to act out pretty much like those who intimidated us.
The Lord makes all the difference between the two paths we can take.