The celebration of Epiphany is over, and we now settle into a short season of Ordinary Time. Ordinary Time is the few weeks between Epiphany and the season of Lent. The word ‘Lent’ means Spring. This year Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 14! It seems to fall unusually early this year!
In my book, Practicing the Biblical Feasts, I share the story of adopting our son when he was almost eleven years old. I compare this to how a person becomes part of the family of God, just as our son became part of our family. In our family, we have certain behaviors that are reflective of who we are. We spent lots of time talking and showing our new son what it meant to be a ‘Gilmore.’ Much like the grafting of a branch onto the trunk of a tree so that it will produce what the rest of the tree produces, so our son had to learn the ways of being part of our family.
Through the reading and study of the Gospels, we find that Jesus came to show the Jewish people, God’s chosen people, that he is the Messiah. All of the First Testament points to Messiah coming to save his people. Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies. All the signs and wonders that Jesus performed while he was here on earth were to point people to his Father. The disciples of Jesus were ultimately commissioned to go into all the world to tell of the good news. Jesus came not just for the Jews but for all the world.
As the apostle Luke states: “…and you will be my witnesses, first here in Jerusalem, then beyond to Judea and Samaria, and finally to the farthest places on earth” (Acts 1:8).
In Romans 11, the apostle Paul gives his readers, who are primarily Gentiles, a history lesson. He reminds them of his own Jewish heritage and that God still has a plan for his chosen people. But the good news of salvation through Jesus Messiah is now open and available to everyone who receives it. Paul uses the imagery of the olive tree and how both Jews and non-Jews were organically connected in God’s plan.
This connection to one another, then, is much like being adopted into a new family and learning the ways and customs of that family. Our son has now been a member of the Gilmore family for 32 years. I am still amazed (maybe I shouldn’t be) at the family characteristics that he exhibits.
How do new Christ-followers (or even those who have been for a long time) learn about their new family? By worshiping with other Christ-followers, reading and studying scripture, and learning more about God and his plan for all of humanity.
Hanging out with others is always one of the ways that Christ-followers grow together. One of the ways I like best is over food! That’s why I wrote the book! And, I have found that teaching others about God through celebrating the biblical feasts, as Jesus and the disciples also did, is a wonderful way to help others see how they are truly part of God’s family.
Today, January 15, Jewish Voice Ministries has called for a day to celebrate being ‘grafted' into the family of God. You can access their website for further information at www.jewishvoice.org.
Shalom!
P.S. If you haven’t had a chance to give to the relief effort in Israel, please consider helping. Any amount will be a blessing!
“Ask heaven to grant peace to Jerusalem: May those who love you prosper. O Jerusalem, may His peace fill this entire city! May this citadel be quiet and at ease!” Psalm 122:6
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