Welcome to the Royal Family!

Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. (verses 3,4)

Read Genesis 37: 3-22

It is comforting to know that there is no such thing as a perfect family. Even in the Bible! Here we see sibling rivalry with commonplace jealousy being played out. Joseph received favour from his father and his father gave him an ‘ornate’ robe. It was special and made him stand out from all the others. You too, friend, have been given a robe. Not just any old robe but a robe of’ righteousness’- placed on you at your baptism. You are now part of God’s family and find favour in his sight! Friend, never take this for granted! You are part of the royal family of God! You are part of something far bigger than yourself, you belong to ‘The Family’.

What outfit are you most comfortable in?

Lord God, heavenly Father, thank you for making part of your family at my baptism. You are a good, good Father! Help me to remember that I am not alone. In Jesus name, Amen.

by Dean Mills, in ‘Time Out with the Shepherd’  (ACR, Australian Church Resources, 2017)