Reflection: In Chinese culture, people were honoured when the emperor conferred on them a surname. Without a surname, you were not held in esteem. In Jesus’ time, different ceremonies were practiced when a child was adopted and given a new name. In one of them, the child was offered three times for adoption by the birth parent. Only on the third time was the child accepted. When this happened, the child was given a new robe by its adoptive parents to symbolise his or her new identity.
The Bible tells us that it was God’s intent that we be adopted into his family so that we become his children (Ephesians 1:5). Sometimes, the metaphor is changed, and it speaks of us being wild olive shoots that God has grafted into himself, the one who gives life and hope (Romans 11:17).
The apostle Paul speaks of the significance that comes from being adopted by God. It means that we are heirs with Jesus of a place in God’s kingdom, and of us being able to call God, ‘Father.’ Paul writes: ‘The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory’ (Romans 8:15-17).
The writer of Chronicles says that if we are called by God’s name, and if we humble ourselves and pray, God will heal the broken places in our nation (2 Chronicles 7:14). That is an amazing promise, and I invite you to make it your own.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I cannot conceive of a greater privilege than to be adopted into your family. Just thinking about it makes me giddy with wonder. I am grateful beyond words.