Family - Part 2

**Update 1/10/08: I am sorry to everyone who thought that this was the same blog post because of the picture. This one is unique and I will be posting Part 3 very soon.***

I wanted to continue this discussion about family (Click here for Part 1), last time I wrote about the term “Family” and it’s implications for us now I want to continue this with another look at the word, not the word but a nuance. Family, as we defined last time, is a term used to denote a domestic group of people, or a number of domestic groups linked through descent (demonstrated or stipulated) from a common ancestor, marriage or adoption. I wanted to camp on the idea of adoption for a while. We all know what it is and it is seemingly becoming more popular in the United States especially in Christian circles. I have multiple friends that are either adopting or planning to at some time, actually my wife and I plan on adopting in the future. This process, despite the cost, creates curious questions; does adopting a child make a real family? Are they ever truly connected in there hearts? It is a taboo subject in many circles; especially with our grandparents. You have heard the term “red-headed step child”, most the time growing up I subconsciously thought of adopted child as such. Second class if you may, this thought process was challenged as I started to look throughout the Bible and came across something very interesting. Three of the greatest personalities in the Bible were adopted.
Moses, the hope of Israel enslaved in Egypt, was not raised in the heart of the community itself. He was pulled out, set aside, and raised as a son of the Pharaoh’s daughter, and Egyptian. This adopted child went on to lead the way from bondage to freedom for his people.
Samuel, the boy who was the answer to barren Hannah’s prayers, left his mom’s arms to be raised by Eli (the priest). Samuel became Eli’s only faithful son as his other boys ran wild and faithless. This child was eventually the prophet anointed Kings of Israel (such as David).
Lastly there is one we all know but don’t talk about in these term much, Jesus. The new Moses is the natural born son of Mary but not Joseph. Through Joseph’s adoption Jesus is the son of David and the heir to the Kingdom of the Israel (cf. Luke). There are two gospels that trace genealogies, Matthew (through Mary) and Luke (through Joseph); there is absolutely no reason for Luke to trace this unless adoption matters. The genealogies are pointless unless it real, unless engrafting really happens.
Christ calls us to become apart of His family, through adoption. He warned that He would turn father against sons, mothers against daughters. He warned the Pharisees and scribes that He would raise up children of Abraham from the very stones. There is no safety in flesh and blood; the only hope against hope is adoption in the Spirit, through Christ. The church was never built to be a family based completely on blood, she should be much more important than any family based on blood. Family is not family anymore. The Church is family instead.
I say all of this to hopefully encourage you people who are losing loved ones as you transition towards your relationship in Christ. Bind yourself to those in your new family because you are not alone and the Spirit will unite us so that we cannot be broken. I have been in your shoes so I know. Remember, Family is not family anymore. The Church is family instead.

[I was listing to Tori Amos and Eoghan Heaslip while writing this entry]

~ by Jon Nelson on January 7, 2008.