Thursday, August 5, 2021
Today’s Scripture
Today’s Author
Tony Sundermeier
The familial language of this text compels me. Mary holds onto the resurrected Jesus and read again what he says to her in verse 17b:
“Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
Notice the sibling language Jesus employs here: my brothers. Notice the way Jesus speaks to Mary, declaring that God is her God…that God is her divine parent, too! In the story of God, family is not based on bloodline. Instead, family is defined by who Christ includes as siblings in the household of faith. Of course, we declare God’s love for the whole world. In other words, all are invited into this family to live as children of God. Not everyone receives this invitation. Not everyone claims God as their divine parent. Not everyone claims fellow human beings as their spiritual siblings. But Christians do. That is partly what sets us apart. We see the other as kinfolk, as a child of God – made in the image of God – who is loved by their creator.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ guarantees this reality. And it is this reality we must live into as followers of Jesus Christ. For God is not exclusively “my God” but “our God.” And we, siblings in the faith, belong to each other and belong to the same spiritual family. May we live, today, as if this is so.
Summer Devotional
God Goes With Us
This summer’s devotional is a walk through the Bible. Join our pastors and staff for daily reflections on scripture passages from Genesis to Revelation. In the beginning, God said, “I will be your God and you will be my people.” Come and see how this covenant promise changes through time yet remains steadfast from generation to generation.
Each Sunday, Chris Holmes will share a short message on the texts for the week, and written reflections will go out every Monday through Thursday morning.
We wish you blessings and deeper faith this summer!
