First Jesus formed a family of 12 followers

An Overview Exposition of Ephesians 3:14-21
1. Verses 14-15 The Father's family in heaven was a model for mankind on earth to follow. Matthew 6:9-10 contains these significant words, "Our Father in heaven; Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Initially, the New Testament era opened with light from heaven - Luke 2:8-14; and continued to release light from heaven on such men as Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus to persecute the Church - Acts 9:3-5. This heavenly light brought an understandable message to Saul in his own Hebrew language according to Acts 26:14.

2. Verse 16 speaks of heaven as a storehouse that contains all that man upon earth needs! (Philippians 4:19).

3. The heavenly provision supplies: a) Verse 17a -Faith (Ephesians 2:8-9 speaks of faith as a gift of God). b) Verse 17b-19 - Love (Romans 5:5 states that God's love fills our hearts). c) Verse 20-21 speaks of God who brings hope into our lives. 1 Corinthians 13:13 "Now abideth faith, hope and love..." But man, by his sin, and its accompanying darkness, was cut off from the light of heaven's faith, hope and love. So Jesus came to import the light of heaven, and become the light of the world. He came for two primary reasons: 1) To reveal the heavenly Father to mankind! 2) He came to die on the cross to provide forgiveness so that mankind might be reconciled to God, and the re-formation of the family of God might take place upon earth, parallel to the family of God in heaven.

So the first major accomplishment of Jesus was to gather twelve men around him as his disciples (learners). These twelve became a family to whom he would reveal his heavenly Father as their potential father. This group would become a prototype.

What is a prototype? The dictionary states: "A prototype is an original thing; a trial model; a preliminary version; especially of aeroplane." Now with this understanding of a prototype, let's apply it to this family of twelve disciples and Jesus. Jesus wanted to form an earthly family that would break from carnal, earthly values as a primary source of life for his followers, and connect relationally with his Father in the heavenly kingdom so that his earthly family would parallel the family in heaven.

A prototype is a temporary model for the ultimate formation of that which will fulfill the purpose of the designer or creator! Since the prototype is temporary, we must leave the prototype behind to gain the ultimate purpose of the prototype! In John 13:31-38 Jesus announced the break-up of the prototype that he had been working on for over three years. He did this so that he migh move on to the purpose for which the prototype was formed, namely the formation of a worldwide, trans-generational family of God upon earth! That great family would be drawn from the multitudes of earth by the power of the Holy Spirit over many, many future generations! I believe that Jesus alluded to this in John 10:16 when he said, "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and, there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

The twelve disciples were devestated by the words of Jesus in John 13:33 "My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: "Where I am going, you cannot come." In response to these words, Peter asked, "Lord where are you going?" "Lord, why can't I follow you now? These are questions that were asked in a very emotional tone of voice!

These questions were addressed by Jesus, and then he continue by saying, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God! Trust also in me!" These are exclamatory statements! While I believe in heaven, and in the Second Coming of Christ at the end of this age, I do not believe that either of these subjects are under discussion in this passage. When Jesus said, "In my Father's house are many mansions or rooms," he is not speaking of a material house with rooms. He is speaking of a household, or family with many abiding places for the Father's children. Jesus was going away to the cross, and by his death he would provide the means whereby sinful man could be reconciled to his Holy Father. So after his resurrection he would come again to be with his disciples, and his coming again to them is recorded in John 20:19-23 and Luke 24:36-48. It was on this occassion that the person of the Holy Spirit came into the lives of these disciples, and the full enablement of this connection came about on the Day of Pentecost as the power of the Holy Spirit was released upon them. When Jesus said that he was going away so that these followers might come into relationship with the Father, just as Jesus was in relationship with his Father (John 14:11, 23).

If you will read the following scriptures: [John 14:11; 2021, 23; 17:20-23; 7:17; 10:27; 8:27-29; 15:9-15; 14:12], you will discover four basic qualities present in the model of the family in heaven. These qualities are love, unity, obedience, and revelation. Each one of these qualities contain a very powerful message! But let me conclude by saying that if we love the Father, we will be obedient to his command, and we will walk in unity with other members of the Father's family! Furthermore, as our Father sees our love and obedience to him, and our unity with fellow family members, he will release a revelation of his will to us. If we have a loving, obedient heart, our ears will be sensitive to the Father's voice, just as Jesus was sensitive to his Father's voice!