Sunday 5 September, 2021

10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. 11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. 12 He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.” 13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.”

How does Jesus identify with me to call me sister? How can I be in his family?

This is one of the most incredible mysteries of the gospel of Jesus – that we are included in the same family as “the one who makes people holy.” As Colossians 1:21-22 says “Even though you were once distant from him, living in the shadows of your evil thoughts and actions, he reconnected you back to himself. He released his supernatural peace to youthrough the sacrifice of his own body as the sin-payment on your behalf so that you would dwell in his presence.” Why do I find this hard to fathom? Jesus, perfect and without sin, the Son of God, welcomes me into his family. I belong to him as his child. I – who have brought nothing to this relationship, only my faith in his sacrifice for me. Thank you God.

Jesus identifies with me because he showed what it is to trust in God, when he went to his death knowing it was God’s will. Like Isaiah (v13) who had to keep trusting God throughout his mission, Jesus trusted God through his ordeal. Jesus knows how I need to be encouraged every day to keep trusting our heavenly Father because, well, it’s so easy to lapse into relying on myself.

Lastly, Jesus identifies with me because he is here with me always. As The Message version so clearly states – v 13, ‘I’m here with the children God has given me.” Jesus hasn’t left me to fend for myself or showed me an example of a life of faith and then said, “Ok over to you!” He is ready to walk alongside by his Spirit, he loves to be with me, growing me into holiness.

Dear Jesus, I am humbled before you. You have drawn me to you, into your family, for keeps. I’m not just reconnected, I belong here, I belong to you. This gives me strength and identity to live for you knowing I am loved and yours. Make a difference in me this week.

Amen

Written by Claire Moore