Scientific studies reveal certain characteristics that are common to siblings born in a particular birth order. The firstborn child often exhibits the following: A higher IQ as parents spend more time mentoring their firstborn, then the firstborn takes over the mentoring of the younger siblings; holds being right important; develops competent, responsible behavior, if this doesn't work, may become discouraged; strives to protect others, strives to please parents. Jesus Christ is the firstborn of all creation, and exhibits these qualities in relation to us, humbly adopted as His siblings, and in relation to God the Father.

We know from the scriptures that  Jesus was with God in the beginning, and that He "became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). John 1 also tells us that all things were made by Him and without Him nothing was made (vs. 3). Now that's an IQ! Jesus was in the beginning nurtured by God the Father to come into this world to teach and mentor us, and then to give His life so that we might also live. Revelation refers to Him as the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." He has always striven to represent His Father well."The words I say are not my own. Rather it is the Father, living in me, who is doing His work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything and I will do it" (John 14:10b-14). Even though discouraged at times, especially in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus never deserted the will of the Father or the cause of those placed in His care. "And [Christ] is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have supremacy. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or in heaven by making peace through His blood, shed on a cross" (Col. 1:18-20).

Jesus is the image of His Father. "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9b). And He continues to provide for us and lead us in the paths of righteousness: "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. . . All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will, but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I shall raise him up at the last day" (John 6:35-40).

Praise You, Big Brother Jesus. I am honored to be a part of Your family, and I am secure in Your care. Teach me, and remake me into the family likeness, that I may be like You. Amen