God of comfort and peace, shelter this dear reader during the challenges that may come their way; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text today comes from Galatians 3:10-29:10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the things written in the book of the law." 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law; for "The one who is righteous will live by faith." 12 But the law does not rest on faith; on the contrary, "Whoever does the works of the law will live by them." 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15 Brothers and sisters, I give an example from daily life: once a person's will has been ratified, no one adds to it or annuls it. 16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring; it does not say, "And to offsprings," as of many; but it says, "And to your offspring," that is, to one person, who is Christ. 17 My point is this: the law, which came four hundred thirty years later, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For if the inheritance comes from the law, it no longer comes from the promise; but God granted it to Abraham through the promise. 19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring would come to whom the promise had been made; and it was ordained through angels by a mediator. 20 Now a mediator involves more than one party; but God is one. 21 Is the law then opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could make alive, then righteousness would indeed come through the law. 22 But the scripture has imprisoned all things under the power of sin, so that what was promised through faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. 27 As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise.
This past Saturday my wife's family had a reunion. All of the descendants of Florentino & Isidra Garza Zamora got together on a small ranch outside of Mission, Texas. I believe there were over one hundred people there. All from seven children. My mother-in-law, Maria Luisa Zamora Rosales was one of the daughters. Of the seven, only the second youngest survives and she was there. We call her Tía Fay. Every family wore a colored t-shirt, ours were red and the reds outnumbered all the rest. What made the day more special for Nellie was that a man who is related, though not a direct descendent of this group, was invited and he came. He was a nephew of Florentino and had been with him the last week of Florentino's life. In fact the day the two returned from some work they had been doing, Isidra made the boy bathe so she could wash his clothes. Florentino went out on his own on his horse and was killed by a family member who mistook him for another man that he wanted dead. What a connection to history in the Garza Zamora family this man was.
Paul reminds the readers of this letter that we are all connected to Abraham. That in and of itself is a wonderful connection, but it comes towards the end of this passage in which Paul again says, we live under grace not the law. Christ paid the price of this "curse" as Paul calls those who try to meet every letter of the law, and as a result we "are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise." (vv. 28-29). The differences between people, whether we wear red shirts, yellow, black, maroon or white shirts does not matter to God, we are all one. If ever the world needed to hear and receive a message, it is now. Through Christ Jesus we are united and made equal in the eyes of God and we should also see that in our own lives. While we wore shirts at that reunion it was fun to see who were from "Grandma Vicha" but it was also neat to see all who were a part of our family. Isn't it the same to be part of God's family through Christ?
PRAYER: God of all colors and people, unite me today with all. I confess I at times notice the colors of the shirts and seek to know who is wearing my color; take me above and beyond that to see that in Christ Jesus and through Your power, we are one. I pray this prayer in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
