"Genealogies"

 

“Genealogies”

 

Last fall our son Dave began a search of our families’ ancestry. His research (as of early February when this is being written) has thus far uncovered almost 700 people in Karen’s and my genealogical records, the last of whom is our great-granddaughter Harper Florence McMillan, born on August 21, 2023. Because of Karen’s British heritage her side has been easier to trace than mine which is mostly in Germany and Northern Ireland. He found out that his 17^th great-grandfather was King Henry VII of England which makes Henry VIII his 16^th great uncle. And he also discovered that both Karen’s parents were descendants of William I (“The Conqueror”) in the 11^th century so they were about 30^th cousins! (Dave’s comment when he uncovered his roots: “If enough people die I could be King of England!”)

Bloodlines are meticulously kept in thoroughbred horse circles to (hopefully) breed race winners. Family genealogies are interesting to trace (as long as we recognize we might find some unsavory characters) and are important to royal lines as well as to some A-listers. For these reasons sites such as Ancestry.com, MyHeritage.com and Findmypast.com have attracted millions of users in recent years. Some also offer DNA testing which have brought many surprises as to national and cultural origins.

Genealogies were very important to the Israelites in the Old Testament to document their inheritances in Canaan as well as priestly successions so many are recorded. As we move to the New Testament both Matthew and Luke tell of the ancestry of Jesus, Matthew through Joseph and Luke through Mary. They meet at David (Matthew 1:6; Luke 3:31), showing Christ’s right to rule as King of the Jews.

Most Christians can’t trace their spiritual roots beyond a “generation” or two. In my case I was led to Christ by two Sunday School teachers, Mrs. Poppo and Mrs. Kenny, but I have no idea whom God used to bring them to faith. But someone did and was His instrument to show them that “(Jesus) is the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through (him).” (John 14:6). And this process will eventually lead back to Jesus and His followers. One who was led to salvation by Jesus Himself, Saul of Tarsus (aka the Apostle Paul), gave this commission to one of his converts: “…The things you have heard me say…entrust to reliable (people) who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:2). Who will be the next one (or maybe the first) to be part of your (and my) spiritual family because we (I) take this seriously to fulfill our (my) part of Christ’s Great Commission?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan