ALL IN THE FAMILY
Last year we drove to see my dad in the assisted living facility he’s was in. He was declining rapidly, so his brother came down to see him as well, and we got to spend some time catching up with both of them. My uncle has spent the last 30+ years researching our genealogy… tracing our roots back, back, way, waaaay back… and he shared some of his research with us. He’s gone all the way back to the Mayflower, where apparently some of our ancestors were passengers from Europe to America. It was really interesting, and incredibly complex, and the records show we’re related to several very famous people. (Of course, THEY don’t know we’re related, so I don’t foresee myself being written into any of their wills! *laughing*)
This got me to thinking about genealogies in the Bible. The Old Testament is filled with them, and Luke records Jesus’ lineage all the way back to Adam. (Without the archives in Salt Lake City and the internet! What a testament to the record keeping of the Jews!!) Jesus is related to some pretty famous people too, and not all in a positive way. His human lineage was just that… very, very human, with a few kings, a couple prostitutes, and loads of normal-every-day-Joes. But, to my knowledge, this is the last recorded genealogy in Scripture. (I could be wrong, but I can’t think of another one after Jesus’.)
Why??
Well, maybe what’s really important isn’t Jesus’ genealogy on His mother’s side… (Luke 3:23-38) but His genealogy on His Father’s side. I’m not talking about Joseph, as we get that genealogy in Matthew. (Matthew 1:1-16) No, Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and so He is the Son of God. (Luke 1:35) And, the amazing thing is, because of His great love for us, what He did on the cross made a way for US to become God’s children as well! (John 3:16 -17 and 1 John 3:1) Jesus said, “Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.” (John 3:6 - 7) 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
This is awesome news!!!
So, while our human genealogies are interesting, and it’s kinda cool to be related to some famous people, what’s really incredible is the Family we have been adopted into! When I look at it this way it doesn’t *really* matter if Clint Eastwood writes me into his will… I’m a co-heir with Christ! (Romans 8:14-17) And my treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20) is way beyond my wildest dreams. (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Amen, amen, and AMEN!!!
SCRIPTURES
Luke 3:23-38 ~ The Genealogy of Jesus through Joseph, the son (in law) of Heli (Mary’s father) all the way back to Adam… (NET)
Matthew 1:1-16 ~ The Genealogy of Jesus from Abraham up through Joseph (NET)
Luke 1:35 ~ And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. (ESV)
John 3:16 -17 ~ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. (NASB)
1 John 3:1 ~ See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. (ESV)
John 3:6 - 7 ~ Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ (NLT)
2 Corinthians 5:17 ~ This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (NLT)
Romans 8:14-17 ~ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (NIV)
Matthew 6:19-20 ~ Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. (NET)
1 Corinthians 2:9 ~ But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” (ESV)