“So, all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.” (Matthew 1:17 ESV)
Summers calendars are filled with schedule family reunions. A lot of stories will be related in love about relatives that have since gone home to be with the Lord. Well, when you review your family tree, take a close look at your lineage. Be transparent. Like the rest of us, you will discover histories that will stand out, surprise you, and shock you. You will uncover that there are those who were of the faith and those that were faithless. There will be stories of people who lived long lives and people who left legacies in a brief life span, legacies that you would rather remain in a realm of silence. Your lineage will include those who were blessed because of their obedience and those who were, to use a biblical term, cursed for there disobedience. You will learn of people who knew how to wait on the Lord, and you will learn of people who wavered in their patience for the Lord to show up right on time. The lineages of all our families reveal some things about generations in the past. But let’s get real and look at the present generation.
To do so, I only want to ask you one question. After looking at all the generations and arriving at this present time, is Christ included in your lineage? Well, perhaps I need to ask the one question in a different way to make sure that I cause you to focus on the point I am trying to make. So, answer this question. Is Jesus still the center of your family history today, as you and yours live out your days on this earth?
My advice is that He should be! Don’t leave Christ out of the present times nor the future times where your children and your children’s children extend your family lineage. Yes, this is one of those meditations worth passing on to others, especially members of the younger generation that have strayed from their upbringing in the church. My hope is someone will end up renewing their commitment to the climb; somebody who needs to make sure Jesus is the center of their life. Jesus is the pertinent part of our lineage. As the closing verse was addressed to Abraham, imagine me saying those exact same words to you. Take it personal. Have a great Saturday! Remember Sunday, the Lord’s Day, when all God’s children get together. Oh, what a time it will be! Be blessed!
“And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me.” (Genesis 22:18 NLT)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King