The sculptures and carvings above and throughout tell the Biblical story. The lighting and decorative accents are intentional to represent the light of Christ, lights in our sky, the four seasons, the animals and the beauty of creation. It is an impressive display of creativity that clearly reflects its designer. Though he is long gone the work continues according to his original design.
Sagrada Familia is named for Jesus's earthy family. It is sacred because God the Father, in His perfect plan, chose for Jesus the Son of God to be born into it. Mary was chosen to be the mother of Jesus through divine conception and Joseph was chosen to be His earthly father. It makes sense to see Joseph included with Mary and Jesus. After all, he was chosen as well. And he made big sacrifices to be obedient to God in the role of an earthly father and in carrying out God’s blueprint for family.
I came away from that experience very impressed by the Spirit about the emphasis on “sacred family”. God sees His design for family as sacred. The blueprint is sacred because it comes from Him. Not something to be worshipped or idolized, but something to be seen as holy and a reflection of His glory in creation. Family is worth respecting, honoring and valuing according to His design. It represents His heart as a father. A place to experience a father (man created in His image) and a mother (woman created in His image).
As I have prayed and processed this emphasis in the context of our modern society I had the recognition that today we don’t see the Biblical model of family as sacred. Yet the blueprint for family is divinely given in Scripture.
Family is God’s design to grow healthy and holy people. It is our first church. Our first experience with authority. Our first experience with the world. We bring our experiences and belief about family into other community groups -school, friends, work, sports, church. It is the subconscious communication happening within us everywhere we go.
God the Father did not send Jesus to be born in a church, a monastery, a business, a school, or an orphanage. He sent Him into a family. A specific family. One that was chosen on purpose. The same is true today. What we believe about family matters. Family is God's blueprint for people.
Family is the foundation of culture!
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