Are You Proud of Your Family? – Family Devotion – December 31, 2021

Read: Hebrews 2:10-18

Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.
Hebrews 2:11

Are You Proud of Your Family?

 

Family Devotion – December 31, 2021

Devotion based on Hebrews 2:11

See series: Devotions

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Have you ever been embarrassed by your family? Maybe it was something your parents did in front of your friends. Maybe it was something your brother or sister said. Perhaps it was something your child did or said.

Do you think God has ever been embarrassed by something you said or did? After all, at your baptism, he put his name on you. The things you say and do reflect the God who adopted you into his family, and how you feel about him.

Here is an amazing truth: for all the things we have done that are shameful before God, Jesus isn’t ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters. It’s not because we haven’t done anything shameful or embarrassing. We have. But Jesus still isn’t ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters. Why?

For one thing, he really knows what it’s like to be us. He had human flesh and blood like us. He had a body and soul like us. He had to face the devil and his temptations each and every day like us. He lived in a sinful world among sinful people who sinned against him, who hurt him with their words and actions like us. But unlike us, who too easily give in to temptation and react to sin with sin, Jesus was perfect. He never did anything that would have made God the Father embarrassed or ashamed.

Jesus did all of that so that he could forgive and cover over all our shameful and embarrassing sins. As our substitute and sacrifice for sin, he makes us perfect, and even better, a part of his family. You and I can look at the special child born in Bethlehem and see our Savior as our brother. We’re family! We can know for sure that Jesus looks at us as his brothers and sisters whom he dearly loves and cares for, and there is nothing embarrassing about that!

Closing Prayer:

Dear God, I am sorry. I have done so many things that make me embarrassed and ashamed. But that is why in love you sent Jesus. Thank you for sending Jesus to forgive my sins and cover all my offenses with his perfection. Thank you for making Jesus my brother and bringing me into your family. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

  • Count how many people are in your family. (After the count is in, say this: “Jesus he’s not ashamed to call you his brother or sister. Now how many are in your family?” Add 1 more for Jesus!)
  • Make up a little prayer thanking God for the people in your family and for Jesus, your brother.

Questions for Elementary Age Children

  • If all believers are considered Jesus’ brothers and sisters, say the names of as many people you can think of who are part of his family.
  • Think about the last time you felt embarrassed about something you did. Why isn’t Jesus embarrassed, and why does he still see you as part of his holy family?

Questions for Middle School and Above

  • There will be times you feel that no one understands what you are going through. Take a few seconds to silently read again today’s verses from Hebrews. Say out loud two selections that will comfort you in those times.
  • What does it mean to you that Jesus calls us his brothers and sisters?

 

Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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