GENEALOGY

^{stock photo}

To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1: 12-13[i]

Off and on through the decades I have dabbled in genealogy. Given that greater importance should be attached to where I’m headed than from where I’ve come from, I haven’t gotten too serious about genealogies. Recently, however, my family has stirred up my interest again. Currently, my research has gone back into several branches. Some have come to a dead end within two centuries, whereas some have gone back as far as the eleventh century.

Should these documents be taken seriously, especially when I see too-close relationships or eleven-year-old girls giving birth to one of my ancestors? Who knows? Knights and ladies? Am I really related to Stonewall Jackson and Lady Diana? I’m more inclined to believe the farmers and weavers. Rogues, indentures, those who left because of their faith, others who escaped political persecution: these may be more authentic. I find surname changes over the centuries interesting. For instance: my maiden name, Windle, is often spelled “Wendell.” My great-grandfather Longacre came from the Longenecker’s, which name had been changed from Langenegger. Jackson had been Lascelles. Titus may have been Tyto.

When we read the Bible, we come across long genealogy lists. We can get bogged down trying to figure out all the “begats.” These lists, however, were essential to the birth and lineage of our Lord Jesus Christ. From the beginning, with Adam and then, Seth to Noah to Abraham to David to Mary (and everyone in between), meticulous documentation was necessary to prove that Jesus is the promised Messiah. After His birth, you will note, there are no more genealogies listed. No longer is family descent important, because our true Elder Brother has brought those who believe into the family of God. Paul addresses this to both Timothy and Titus:

“Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.”

I Timothy 1: 4 (KJV)[ii]

“But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.”

Titus 3: 9 (KJV)

What can be my take-away from my genealogy research?

What is my true identity in Christ?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5: 17

I have a new name.

The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.

Revelation 3: 12

Challenge:

Are you a new creation in Jesus Christ? Do you have a new name written in the book of life? Have you considered your future more important than your ancestors?

Prayer:

Our Father, as believers in Jesus as our Savior—our True Elder Brother—we can claim You as our Father. Help us to live up to the Family name in thought, motive, attitude, and action. Help us to demonstrate to an unbelieving world what a child of the King means. Amen