TUESDAY

Galatians 4:4-7

Last Sabbath, we had the opportunity to think about the meaning of Jesus’ baptism and its implications for us. One of the key ideas was that when the Father spoke to Jesus, proclaiming that Jesus was the beloved child with whom God was pleased, because Jesus was identifying with us, God feels the same way about us as well. Because God has fully identified with us through Jesus, and because Jesus represents us, we can know that we are included in the embrace of that proclamation as well. We, too, are God’s beloved children, and with us, God is well pleased! We have a very difficult time fully wrapping our minds around both parts of that proclamation, but it is true nonetheless. Today’s passage is one of those places where Paul celebrates this reality in his comments to the church in Galatia. Take a few moments to read and reflect on his words, and to consider the following:

• What does it mean to you to think that the closeness of Jesus ‘ relationship with us is described as family, as a sibling? What does that tell you about the extent to which Jesus identifies with us?

• What do you think about the idea that the evidence of the Spirit working in your life can be found in the impulse or encouragement to address God as “abba” (a term of endearment much like “Daddy”)? What does that suggest about how God feels about us and how we are invited to reach out to God?

• Reflect for a few moments on what is trying to be communicated when Paul tells us that we should not think of our relationship with God in terms of being a slave (or servant), but rather as a member of the family who is invited to share in the family’s resources.

• To what extent do you live in the awareness that God’s core posture toward you is one of being “well pleased” rather than disappointment? How would assuming either one of those things impact the way you respond to God?