Family of Faith

“Who are you?” he asked.

“I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.”

– Ruth 3:9

Thanksgiving is just a few short weeks away. And it’s a reminder that the holidays can be either a time of joy and togetherness — or stress and conflict. In fact, stress expert Elizabeth Scott, M.S. comments that "many a happy holiday has been found by groups of people who have decided to celebrate with friends instead of family."

It's a sad commentary on the state of modern society. And in many ways, it's also a reflection of human nature. Whenever families gather, tensions can mount for just about any reason. Sometimes it's because of intrusions into personal space, like when the in-laws spend the night (or week) in a home that's already too close for comfort. There's also that outcast teenager who perceives their older relatives as judgmental, critical, or demanding. And let's not forget those pleasant conversations over Christmas dinner about politics and religion.

If this hits too close to home, you're in good company. Jesus himself — the Son of God — was often misunderstood by those closest to him: 

"A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family," the Savior once told his disciples.

Since even our own families can misinterpret our actions, have you ever wondered if God, our Heavenly Father, really understands all the mundane problems, annoyances, and trials that we face every day? 

He does. 

In fact, Luke's gospel tells us that Jesus was born amidst the poorest of circumstances — with an animal's feeding trough as his first bed. But that’s the way it had to be. From the beginning, our Creator knew that men and women were without hope because of the rebellious ways they lived out their lives. So, his response was to come to Earth in human form to live out the perfect life. That meant living among us through the sin-free Jesus Christ — the only acceptable sacrifice for our countless transgressions. And since the wages of sin is death, he’d pay the price for all of us through his unjust crucifixion between two common criminals.

Jesus fulfilled the soul-saving mission God had planned for him since the foundation of the world. The result was that our sin-debt was paid in full. And 2,000 years later, people around the globe continue to accept the Savior's gracious invitation to join his family of faith.