Jesus was born into a Jewish family, a descendent of the great Jewish king David. God had long promised to restore the throne of David, to send a successor who would reign over the Jewish people in the love of God. Jesus was that promised king. Yet his own people rejected him. Familiarity tends to breed contempt. And a prophet receives no honor is his hometown and in his household. Jesus was sent into the world as God’s greatest act of love toward his chosen people. But how could he love a family that would not receive him? What good is love if it is unwanted? The answer to that question lies hidden in the very heart of God. His love is the sort that does not ask permission and does not turn when unrequited. His love is ever knocking, ever hoping, ever waiting. And it is this love that he promises to perfect in us.