Intro

This weekend, through baptism, we celebrate the spiritual rebirth of those who have decided to follow Jesus. As new followers of Jesus, their baptism also symbolizes their inclusion in the family of God. We acknowledge that they have become part of the grand gospel story that God has been writing from before the foundation of the world. 

As human beings, we are all born into a family story. We are all born into a story so much bigger than ourselves. Over the past few weeks, I have spent some time researching my family history. I have been able to go back about 400 years. The family tree tells a story.

The Jacob story begins with his family tree. The heading found in vs. 19, “These are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son,” introduces a new Genesis mini-series, as it were.  In Genesis 25-37, Isaac is the active patriarch, but it is truly the Jacob story.

The Jacob story encourages us to think about our family story, especially the story of our spiritual family. All followers of Jesus have been reborn into Abraham’s family. If you follow Jesus, today’s story would encourage you to . . . 

• Know you are born into blessing.
• Live into your blessing through trust in God.
• Rest in God’s loving choice.
• Be careful not to despise your blessing.
• Remember you were chosen by grace.