January 2, 2019 -- Psalm 69:8 -- Jesus the Alien

I have become a stranger to my brothers,

an alien to my mother's sons.

Psalm 69:8 ESV

Jesus the alien. This word has taken on connotations of space men and so on. However, the word really means: stranger or someone from a different country. Jesus was an alien to his brothers and sisters because of His virgin birth. He was born of Mary and God is His Father.

Can you imagine the merciless mocking and cruel treatment He must have received from His siblings as He grew up? He did it to fulfill all righteousness.

In Christ not only are sins forgiveness, but God imputes to us His righteousness. We are under the rule of Christ--sin no longer has dominion over us. This makes us aliens, strangers to the people in the world around us. They are used to reveling in sin and do not understand why we keep back from joining in on deeds of darkness. In Christ we are aliens and strangers to the world and have a new family--the family of believers.

King Jesus, blessed be Your Name for all You have endured. Let all who love You live as aliens and strangers in this world even as we are beloved sons and daughters of our Father in heaven. Spirit of God, lead us by the Word into fullness of life. Amen.