Pass it on!

Christmas reflections 2008

I often wonder what it is about genealogy that fascinates people. All the hours of research yield a just an arrangement of names and relationships on the family tree. Most of them we have never met. Sometimes we’re fortunate to have stories to go with the names. I have substantial amounts of information about several of my ancestors but I’ve never heard anything about those who had a less desirable reputation.

Two of the gospel writers, Matthew and Luke thought genealogy was a big deal too. Matthew was writing to the Jews and traced Jesus’ genealogy back 42 generations to show that Jesus was a descendant of Abraham, the father of the Jews, and a descendant of David, which fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah’s family lineage. Luke was writing to the Gentiles so he traced Jesus’genealogy back to Adam, to emphasize Jesus as Saviour of all people.

In Jesus’ lineage we find Judah who sold his brother into slavery, Jacob who cheated his way into first place, and David who committed adultery and murder. In the patriarchal culture of the day, the genealogical record was of fathers and sons, but Matthew’s account also lists 5 women, all of whom had some sort of scandal associated with them. Matthew’s account also lists a great many names of people that we know nothing about.

What can be said about this is that God’s plan was not thwarted one iota by all the flaws and failures down through that lineage. And even all those obscure and undistinguished others played a role.

The writings of my great-great grandfather Loren Webb reveals his passion for carrying forth the Good News that Jesus brought to us through his life and death. Sometimes I feel as if I’m picking up where he left off in my work behind the scenes at The City Mission. What makes genealogy fascinating for me is that sense of belonging to this family line and honoring my heritage through how I live my life.

From the first century til now, Jesus’ followers have been passing on the Good News of his redeeming love. That ancient message rings with hope and healing for the difficulties we face in this age.

Can you hear it?

Blessings to you and yours this Christmas and in the New Year!