In America, when we meet someone new, we often ask, “What do you do?” But in Jesus’ time, the more top-of-mind question was, “Who is your family?” In other words, asking, “Who do you belong to?” Your lineage wasn’t just a list of ancestors; it was a decree about who you are. Consider the statement, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”. We belong to our family and we are representatives of that family. This is why Matthew opens his Gospel with Jesus’ genealogy. To his first readers, it wasn’t a boring list—it was a declaration: Jesus belongs. He’s the promised King in the family line of David, fulfilling God’s ancient promises.
But here’s where the story gets personal. Through the cross, Jesus did something extraordinary: He made a way for us to be adopted into God’s family. Think about that for a moment. No matter your earthly background—whether it’s marked by pride or pain—through Jesus, you are grafted into the eternal, unshakable family of God.
This Easter, we celebrate not only the empty tomb but also the door it opened for us to call God “Father.” Being part of God’s family means we are loved unconditionally by a perfect Father who knows us fully and delights in calling us His children. We are never alone, for we belong to a family that spans centuries and cultures, bound together by Christ.
As members of God’s family, we carry the name of our Father wherever we go. Just as Jesus revealed God’s love through His actions, we are called to represent our heavenly family by living lives of grace, kindness, and truth. We are ambassadors of His love, offering the hope of belonging to others.
As we look to the cross and the empty tomb, let’s remember: we are not strangers to God. We are His. Adopted. Loved. Forever family.