The Good News
Galatians 4:1–7
Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had. They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set. And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world.
But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.
Hebrews 2:10–18
God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.
So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. For he said to God,
“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.”
He also said,“I will put my trust in him,” that is, “I and the children God has given me.”
Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.
We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.
Reflection
The word gospel simply means “good news,” but sometimes it can be difficult to wrap our minds around how good the news really is. The gift God offers is not only the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life, but God also brings us into his family. Unlike our earthly families, this new family is eternal and filled with promise for something bigger and greater than ourselves. Galatians 4 tells us that Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters, and we get to call God “Abba, father,” the same intimate title Jesus uses for God. Being a part of God’s family means that we get to experience a deep, rich relationship with God and the community he blesses us with.
- In your own words, using Galatians 4:1–7, describe what it means that God adopted us into his family.
- Think about your own family. How has your experience impacted the way you view God as a father?