Our Scripture lesson for the day describes how God first created people-- male and female--and told them to multiply and fill the earth. Someone has said that this was that only commandment that humankind has obeyed. In order to achieve God's goal of a planet populated by people, God gave us the family. As soon as the scripture says, "He created them male and female the entire dynamic of life on earth was changed.

The New Testament affirms the worth and dignity of the family. William Barclay voices the opinion that the early commentators were right when they suggested that the TWO or THREE in Jesus' saying: "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them," means FATHER, MOTHER AND CHILD.

That is why I have entitled today's message THE DIVINE FAMILY. I do not …