Series: Family Privilege
Message: Responsibility
Preacher: Jenniffer Ogden
Reflection: Jenniffer Ogden
Live Wonder: Jessyka Albert
Live Adventure: Jessyka Albert
Live Purpose: Don Pate
Editor: Becky De Oliveira

Refresh: Begin with prayer. Ask for the Holy Spirit to open your heart to new understanding and for God’s character to be revealed.

Read: Romans 10:1-21 in the New Living Translation (NLT). Note 1–3 insights or questions. 

Reflect: Books end. Movies end. The sidewalk ends. (Thanks, Shel Silverstein.) We think of “the end” as something that is done, completed, finished.

Paul calls Jesus “the end of the law.” Is it best for us to understand the end in Paul’s writing in the same way we understand the endings of books and movies? When we call Jesus “the end” of the law, does it mean the law is done, completed, finished?

Yes.

And no.

Yes, the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus completely fulfilled God’s law. As a result of His perfect life, Jesus is restoring and will continue to restore humanity to the vibrant picture of health and completion He intended at creation. Jesus was sinless. He kept the law perfectly, and through His willing sacrifice on our behalf, we are offered life abundant and eternal though Him. We cannot gain this eternal life without the One who completed the law. So yes, the end of the law has come.

And no, the law is not finished in the sense of being eliminated. It was not wiped away at the Cross. It continues to point us to Jesus, the perfect One. He is our perfection, the One to whom we cling as we head to our eternal home. The law is a guidepost to Christ. Without the law, I fail to see my own iniquity, my need, and my inability to save myself.

The law does not complete God’s plan, rather it points us to God’s plan. Jesus is the perfect plan. The law helps me to see God most clearly through Jesus.

As one of the family of God, I find great joy in knowing that my salvation is not dependent on me. I rely on Jesus to change me, grow me, and challenge me. I am learning to persevere in that process. And as God and I walk together, I have the joy of admiring the author and finisher of my faith, Jesus the Christ.

Recalibrate: When did you last spend quality time allowing the wonder of Christ to fill your mind? Can you book time to do so again soon?

Respond: Ask God for the clarity to see where you have spent time and energy that is not beneficial to you, your family, or your relationship with God. Work with Him to minimize or eliminate this area, as much as possible.

Research: Listen to “Keep Making Me” by Sidewalk Prophets. What would you like God to keep making in you?

Remember: “How beautiful are the feet of the ones who bring good news of good things” (Romans 10:15, KNT).

Jenniffer Ogden serves as the children and family pastor for Walla Walla University Church in College Place, Washington. She has been pastoring since 2009 and serves our church community masterfully as she ministers to kids and parents, adults and old folks alike.

Read through the recalibrate section once more. What are the things you’ve seen fill your child’s eyes with wonder recently? Nature? Food? New people? Animals? How do these things point to Jesus? What things have filled your own eyes with wonder this week? Spend some time with your child telling them of the wonder that is Jesus. Don’t just tell them Jesus loves them, explain why and how Jesus loves them. Explain why and how Jesus loves you!

Read Romans 10:4: “Christ ended the law, so that everyone who believes in Him may be right with God.” Did you know that Jesus said He was the way? And that when you go to God, you go with Jesus? Make a treasure hunt and a map for a brother or sister, or a family member. To get to the treasure you have to use the map! It’s a great reminder that when you’re going to God, Jesus is just like a map, showing you the way. He is also holding your hand all throughout the journey!

The earth is the only place I’ve ever lived. This is home. Good, bad, ugly, it is the only home I’ve ever known. The bad news is that this makes me a member of the poorest family in the universe, and I also live in the worst pit in the universe. Now for the good news! None of us has to stay in that posture. God saw our mess and has made provision for us to escape our “birthright” and capture something better than we can even imagine. Jesus said that we get a new family and that living as a member of that new family starts now!  We don’t have to wait until some point down the line. Do you want to live that new reality? Just asking . . .