SET UP: My younger sister got married a couple of weeks ago. The wedding was beautiful and the reception was an absolute blast! But the best part of the whole shebang was getting to spend time with both my sisters throughout all the showers and parties leading up to the main event.
Like most families, the three of us fought like cats and dogs during our childhood. I was the oldest and often got annoyed that my younger sisters would follow me everywhere, which meant I received quite a few lectures from my parents about being a good example and being patient with my siblings (if you are also the eldest sibling, you’ve probably faced a similar experience).
What I realized throughout my sister’s preparation for her wedding was that my siblings and I aren’t just sisters, we’re friends, too. We enjoy spending time together - not just forced family time, but actually hanging out with each other. I’m thankful that we’ve put aside our childish arguing and bickering as we’ve grown into adulthood.
The Bible is full of dysfunctional families and siblings that try to stab one another in the back. There’s a story of two twin brothers named Jacob and Esau. These guys are the epitome of sibling rivalry.
In ancient Israel, the oldest son was the primary receiver of the father’s inheritance - his money, title, and land. The firstborn son would receive the “birthright”; he would become the leader of the family and receive the judicial authority of his father. In the story of Jacob and Esau, Esau was the firstborn son. According to their culture and laws, he should have been the recipient of the birthright. However, thanks to family drama, Jacob and his mother tricked their father into giving Jacob the birthright. When Esau found out his blessing had been given to his younger brother, he lost his mind and vowed to kill Jacob after his father passed away. Their mother told Jacob what Esau planned, and Jacob fled.
Fast forward twenty years. Jacob was now married (to two women - the family dysfunction continues), and had created a new life for himself away from his brother. And then God told him to return home.
It’s no wonder that Jacob was terrified to return to his homeland. What if Esau was just waiting to kill him? If he followed God’s instructions to return, would he be putting his entire family and livelihood in danger?
Jacob chose to trust God and followed His command to return home. He was prepared for the worst, but when Jacob saw Esau, his brother ran and greeted him with a loving embrace.
Esau had every right to be angry at Jacob. He could have exiled his brother when Jacob returned or attacked him as revenge for stealing his birthright. No one would have faulted him if he decided to seek justice for being wronged. But Esau chose peace and forgave his brother.
We’re not so different from Jacob. How many times have we acted against God in order to get what we want? How often have we decided to take things into our own hands instead of trusting in God’s plans?
Because of our sin, God has every right to exile us from His family. Instead, He forgives us and welcomes us back home with a loving embrace. Christmas is a reminder of when Jesus came to earth, but it also reminds us of Jesus’s mission while He was here. Jesus didn’t just come to die for our sins; He also came to restore our relationship with God. He came to bring peace between humanity and God so that we can return to Him without fear of rejection or retribution.
PASSAGES TO READ: Genesis 25:19-25, 27:1-46, and 33:1-4
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
What stuck out to you in the story of Jacob and Esau?
Is there a relationship in your life where you would like to have peace and reconciliation? What would that look like to you?
Jesus died to pay the debt for our sins, but also to bring peace between humanity and God. Why do you think both those truths are important?
PRAYER IDEA: “Jesus, You are the ultimate peacemaker. Thank You for wanting a relationship with us and sacrificing Yourself to make that happen. May this Christmas season remind me to seek peace with others. If there is someone I need to make peace with, please show me and give me Your strength to take any next steps towards reconciliation.”