The family of God

"Mr. Corleone is Johnny's godfather. To the Italian people, that is a very religious, sacred, close relationship."

That line is from the 1972 film, The Godfather, popularly viewed as one of the best American films ever made.  This multi-generational crime saga is a touchstone of cinema--one of the most widely imitated, quoted, and lampooned movies of all time.  Marlon Brando plays the title role of the godfather Don Corleone. The line quoted above is spoken by the character Tom Hagen, who is Don Corleone's informally adopted son, and the family lawyer and consigliere, or counselor.  He was trying to explain the dynamics of the relationship to Jack Woltz, a powerful Hollywood producer. 

I couldn't help but think of the movie when I read my daily Bible reading this week.  In the 30th chapter of Exodus, as God is instructing Moses all about the Tabernacle and its furnishings, He inserts specific instructions on how to take a poll tax.   

Then the Lord said to Moses, "When you take a census of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the Lord a ransom for his life at the time he is counted.  Then no plague will come on them when you number them.  Each one who crosses over to those already counted is to give a half-shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs.  This half-shekel is an offering to the Lord.  All who cross over, those twenty years old or more, are to give an offering to the Lord.  The rich are not to give more than a half shekel, and the poor are not to give less when you make the offering to the Lord to atone for your lives.  (Exodus 30.11-15)

Talk about "an offer you can't refuse"!  Each adult male had to pay a "ransom" to "atone for his life".  This was the Law of God.  Unchangeable.  Unforgivable.   Either you paid the ransom, or you forfeited your life.  And the cost was the same whether you were rich or poor.  This was the price of their redemption.

After God had led His people out of Egypt, and after he had led them across the sea on dry land, and after He had swallowed up the Egyptian army in the sea, Moses and his sister Miriam sang a song to the Lord.  Part of that song said, "In your unfailing love, you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling." (Exodus 15.13).  So when Moses received the Law from the hand of God, the Redeemer asked for a little payback.  He wanted the people to have some "skin in the game", to participate fully in their redemption, so that they could identify with God.  In turn, God wanted to be exalted among His people.

"Do not be afraid, O little Israel, for I myself will help you," declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel." (Isaiah 41.14)

The study notes in my copy of the Bible says this about the term Redeemer:

The Hebrew for this word refers to an obligated family protector and thus portrays the Lord as the family protector of Israel.  He is related to Israel as father (Isaiah 64 and 64) and husband (Isaiah 54).  As Redeemer (or family protector), He redeems their property, guarantees their freedom, avenges them against their tormentors, and secures their posterity for the future.

Isn't it so much better to have a relationship with our Father God than it is to be beholden to a godfather?  Immortal is better than immoral.  Omnipotent is better than Organized. Don Corleone's son was a renegade; God's Son came as a Ransom for many. (Matthew 20.28)

Think about that for a minute.  Jesus gave His life as a ransom for many.  So if you want to be counted among the family of God, Jesus has paid your atonement for you.  The rich are no more deserving than the poor--all are in need of a Redeemer, a family protector, a guarantor when we reach death's door.  God the Father sent His only Son to die for you.  "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3.16)  You can substitute your name for "the world" in this verse, because God loved you that much.

Another quote from the movie goes like this: "I don't like violence, Tom.  I'm a businessman.  Blood is a big expense."  The movie character was talking about losing the lives of hit men and outlaws.  How much more precious was the blood of Christ that was shed for you.  Yet God was willing to make that sacrifice so that you could become a member of His family.

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