The Blended Family of God

"And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd." John 10:16

The family of God is a blended family.  

Jesus was a Jew and came to bring salvation to His people, the Jewish people.  But, many of the Jewish people turned away from Him and the salvation He brought.  Just as in the Old Testament, their hearts were hard and their eyes were blinded by a desire to sin.  They could not see the enormous feast He had prepared for them in this life and for all eternity.  Jesus tells this parable in Luke 14:16-24 to help us understand.

Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”

Romans 1:16 tells us, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

Romans Chapter 11 tells the story so beautifully and perfectly!

It was this rejection by the Jews that gave opportunity for our wild Gentile root to enter in to God's beautiful blended family.  Oh, the depth of His love for ALL mankind!  He has allowed this so that ALL who repent of sin, believe, and obey Him might enter into the richness of life with Him!

Are you a part of the beautiful blended family of God?  If not, won't you choose to follow Him today?  

If you are a part, how have you shown love and support for your brothers and sisters in Jesus today?

Goodnight, Runners.