Jeremiah 34-36 Hebrews 2

“Jesus, who makes people holy, and those who are made holy are from the same family. So he is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.” (Hebrews 2:11 NCV)

Hebrews offers a step by step explanation of the greatness of Jesus and why He is above all angels, humans, and any false religious leaders. After talking about the suffering Jesus went through to bring salvation to all who would turn to Him, we’re told that Jesus is the one who makes people holy. If Jesus makes us holy, then we’re all from the same family. And then, in the most incredible statement of all, Jesus isn’t ashamed to call us brothers and sisters!

Let’s face it: we all have that one family member who…well, you know. You hide your eyes when you’re out in public with them because you know that they’re going to do something to embarrass you. You walk ahead of them, or way behind them, so you can disavow any knowledge of their actions. He’s the crazy uncle that you warn your kids about at family gatherings or the eccentric aunt whose crazy sayings you’ve learned to ignore. Or worse. They’re the black sheep of the family. Sometimes we may think that about ourselves in our relationship with God. We know that He loves us, but we think that He might forget to introduce us to others if we were at a party together. That’s not how Jesus sees us though. God is crazy in love with us. He’s not ashamed of who we are; of what we do; or that we’re His children. We may (ok, will) mess up, but He keeps loving us, forgiving us, and making us holy – separated and set apart for His service. There are no “black sheep” in the family of God because we’re all loved by the one who saved us and is not ashamed to call us brother and sister.

Lord, I can’t help but wonder why You still let me hang around Your family sometimes. The truth is that You not only let me hang around, You love and embrace me with all my quirks and sins. Keep working on me to make me holy and fit for Your service.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.