So many wars and persecutions have arisen when people focus on the things that divide us. We can argue and quarrel over doctrine and ritual; we can look down on those who are different in any way; we can think of ourselves and those like us as superior to others. The Daughter of Zion, however, sings that many are turning to God - even the so-called Gentiles. God is so much bigger and grander than our own ways of thinking and the ways in which our hardness of heart can exclude others. God is God, far beyond our manipulation and control, and God has a compassionate and merciful love for every human being who has ever lived.

The words of Jesus must have seemed very shocking indeed, especially in a culture that exalted the bonds of family and kin. He appears to be turning away from his family. What he is really doing, however, is redefining family. He is not losing, but gaining, for now family will not be limited to those related to us by blood. All who seek the good and desire to do God's will can now be considered as our family. He is revolutionizing the worldview of His listeners and He presents the same challenge to us. Let your vision and your hearts be as wide and deep as the world itself. Look into the face of every decent person you meet as you would a member of your own family. And for those who aren't so decent, see them as at least capable of being so!