Anchor Devotional
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Blended Families
“‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’ The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’” Luke 10:36-37
When I first met our grown nephew’s stepson, Evan, I fell in love with this cute, smart little boy. I bought him a birthday card and signed it, “Love, Kevin and Jane.” Later I wondered if I should have signed it, “Uncle Kevin and Aunt Jane.” Of course, there’s no blood relation between Evan and us. But who am I in the relationship? The “step-aunt-by-marriage”?
Someone asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan, the one who showed mercy on an injured man lying at the edge of the road while others passed by. The Samaritan tended the man’s wounds, took him to an inn, and paid for his care. With this story, Jesus broadened the definition of “neighbor” to include even strangers.
Centuries years later, we have broadened the concept of “family” to include step-families or blended families. What would Jesus say about my nephew’s stepson? I think He loves our patched-together family. He knows we are bound by love because He showed us the ultimate bond of love when He brought us into the forever family of God.
SCRIPTURE FOCUS
Luke 10:30-37
INSIGHT
On the cross, Jesus created a blended family, uniting His mother with His disciple, John. Praise God He has enfolded us into His family, too!
THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Judges 14-15
Psalm 116
1 Corinthians 8-9
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