The Family Business
Scripture Reading — Ezra 7:1-10
Ezra, son of Seraiah … the son of Aaron the chief priest—this Ezra came up from Babylon.
—Ezra 7:1, 5-6
Many of us can think of examples of children following in their parents’ footsteps or taking on the work of the family business. Ezra followed his father Seraiah in the family of priests. It was his family’s calling to lead God’s people into the presence of God.
It was important that Ezra understood how he got into the family business. His line went back many generations to Aaron, the chief priest during the time of Moses. Ezra did not strike out on his own to become a priest (mediator) between God and his people. He was born into the position. He was part of the long history of God’s faithfulness in providing holy leadership for a reconstituted people. God’s business was Ezra’s family business, and Ezra was employed by God alone.
As children of God, you and I are brought into the family of God by our high priest, Jesus Christ. The Bible reminds us, “We have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus, the Son of God” (Hebrews 4:14). We are born into the family business of blessing, mercy, forgiveness, and love. As God’s dearly loved children, our salvation is provided not because we are great people. It was God’s business to make salvation work. Let’s give thanks to God that his hand of grace has done everything we need to inherit eternal life!
Father, sometimes I’m tempted to think I earned my way into the family of God. Forgive me. Help me remember that my place in the family comes through Jesus Christ alone. Amen.
About the author — Reginald Smith
Dr. Reginald Smith is senior pastor at Roosevelt Park Community Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he has served for seventeen years. He has also served as a pastor in Paterson, New Jersey. He and his wife, Sharon, have three daughters, Janelle, Katrina, and Mariah.
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