Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. Hebrews 2:11
Jesus is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters; despite the horrible way some people treated Him while He walked on the earth. He endured torment in order to make us holy, so that we might be welcomed into His heavenly kingdom without stain or blemish or the effects of sin. Jesus endured the cross because He loves us and wants us to live together as a family for eternity. It is the most joyous meaning of the Christmas season that God became one of us to redeem us from the curse of the law; but that is not our only joy.
It is a great honor and a tremendous advantage that the Son of God is our brother. Jesus was not ashamed to be the brother of the murderous thieves who were crucified with Him, but because He forgave those who crucified Him, there is nothing too great for Him to forgive. This is an important truth to share with all sinners so that everyone might come to believe in Him as Savior. Our greatest benefit in having Jesus as our brother will be when He comes to judge the world according to His great merciful justice, where He will speak in our defense and take us to live with Him and share in His glorious heavenly inheritance.
Prayer: Dearest King of Kings, born to us a child in Bethlehem to take away the sin of the world, may we ever adore Thee Christ our Lord. Amen.
© 2006 Lutheran Hour Ministries
These devotions have been written by Rev. Paul and Kaye Wolff. Rev. Paul Wolff is a 1996 graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He has served as a pastor in the Detroit area for 10 years. He and co-author wife, Kaye, live in Southfield, Michigan.
Kaye Dumas Wolff is Chairperson of the Black Ministry Church Planting Task Force and a Mission Affiliate of LCMS World Missions where she serves as a training facilitator for laity in evangelism and mission work. Kaye serves on the Advisory Council of the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, and she is a presenter for Lutheran Hour Ministries’ Equipping to Share Workshop.
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Today's Bible Readings: Genesis 4-6 Matthew 2
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