But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.   (Gal. 4:4-5)

All the neighborhood kids knew Scotty had been adopted. This wouldn’t have been an issue, except for the fact that Scotty didn’t.

During one of those inevitable squabbles that kids get into, one boy turned to Scotty and said, “Well, at least I’m not adopted like you.”

Scotty protested that he wasn’t and then immediately went to ask his parents—we were in his backyard. After asking if he was adopted, his parents looked crestfallen. They said, “We’ve been meaning to tell you, and we’re sorry you found out this way, but yes, you’re adopted.”

Scotty didn’t say anything. He just went into his house and didn’t come out for several days.

When he did return to our neighborhood games, we all gave him a wide berth. About a week later, we got into another squabble, and the same boy said the same thing to Scotty.

This time Scotty didn’t retreat to his house. Instead, he responded: “Yep, I’m adopted. That means my parents chose me, and that also means that your parents got stuck with you.”

Today’s scripture tells us that we’re all adopted. We come into this world through natural childbirth, and we come into God’s Kingdom through being adopted through what Jesus has done for us.

Scotty received great comfort when he was able to say that his parents adopted him because they had chosen and wanted him. I encourage us to have our own great comfort when we claim that God adopted us because He chooses and wants us.

If we ever wonder who we are or whether we belong, or if ever we feel like an orphan in the world—we need not. We are the adopted and beloved and chosen children of God through the life and work of Jesus.

Reflection Questions:

1. Paul says that when the “fulness of time had come, God sent his son.” Is right now a timely or needed time for Jesus to come to you?

2. If you’re feeling like an orphan in the world, what would help you to see, know, and trust that Jesus has signed your adoption papers to bring you into God’s family?

3. Paul says that Jesus came to “redeem” those under the law. The word redeem conveys so many things: to lift up the fallen, forgive the wayward, mend the broken, heal the sick, comfort the lonely, find the lost, and love the forlorn. How might you need to be lifted up, forgiven, mended, healed, comforted, found, or loved?