Climbing my family tree I came across bad blood on the branches. That can probably be said for many of us.
I love paging through old family scrapbooks. Faces captured on paper resembling those I love, those I don’t know . . . and me. Resembling not a picture perfect family.
I think we all would like to know where we come from. I would.
Years ago, I did extensive genealogy research on a few branches of the family. A close relative was displeased with me for overturning dirt. We don’t have to live in the shadow of our family tree.
We all have dirt. We’re made from dust.
It would be nice to boast of a heritage of those coming over on the Mayflower. My family was more like the Irish immigrants stowed in steerage on the Titanic. Either way, our families are a cherished heirloom and we get only one group of humans assigned to us linked by DNA and God’s creative design. Those we call kin.
Most of us come from a mixed heritage. Not even Jesus had a sinless lineage. In the first seventeen verses in the book of Matthew, we see a list of the boring begats. Or are they?
Genealogies are important because they demonstrate the mystery and majesty of God’s plan. God-inspired Scriptures tell of the ancestry scattered with shame. Jesus wanted His family recorded. All of them.
Tamar, the scheming widow yearned for offspring and posed as a shrine prostitute to trick her father-in-law, Judah, in pregnancy to preserve the line. (Genesis 38)
Rahab, the Jericho harlot sheltered spies and later was known for faith and courage. (Joshua 2)
Bathsheba, the woman involved in infidelity with King David, yet years later became the mother of Solomon, the temple builder. (2 Samuel 11).
And Ruth . . . different from the other ladies, but from the despised nation of Moab. Ruth was not a Jew, yet God chose her to be in the line of the Kinsman Redeemer (Ruth 1-4).
Worthy accounts of a turn-around. A desperate housewife, two prostitutes, and an adulteress, all part of the Messianic family tree. All important.
Bad blood on branches covered by the Blood. The stories are not about the sin, but about the grace.
Our Savior had a background much like you and me. Every one of us has a lifeline stained with sin, the reason for Matthew vs. 18 . . . Now the birth of Jesus is as follows . . .
Not just about roots, but God roots, and Who is on the top of your tree.
The Morning Star. The One who covers shadows of familial darkness and adds new leaves of life.
To my great-great-greats, I choose to leave a blessing, that I may not cast a shadow on your tree.
Verna
Great perspective, Verna! Thanks for speaking to my heart. Love you!
And thanks for encouraging mine, Carolyn.
Thanks for the reminder Verna – the Root is greater than the branches!
Love that, thanks Karen!
great …love this
. . . I undertand! Thanks for stopping by, Dottie.
Verna,
Great post!! I love this: Bad blood on branches covered by blood. It’s all about grace! Hugs!
It sure is – thank you, Glenda!
Very nice AV… U always share a wonderful wake up call that helps keep me, n im sure so many others, focused on the race 4 the prize. Thanx so much. My branch may not have any offchutes but it is blessed by the same grace that has been undeservingly given 2 us all n exposed by the example God has allowed me 2 share with those who r not my earthly offspring but part of the body of Christ… God Bless u in all the work u do 4 Him <
Thank you for your encouraging comment, John. . .
This really touched my heart Verna. My entire life I’ve felt the weight of “bad blood”, genetic “quirks”, and poor decisions from those who went before me. I’ve also been blessed by many beautiful branches. However, so often the sinful darkness leaves such a stain! What a blessing to be reminded by the day, by the hour, by the moment, that the blood of Christ truly does cover all. Thank you for blessing me this moment.
This is the blessing that we know His blood covers the not so-beautiful-branches . . .and your comment touches my heart, Janeen. Thanks for always adding so much.
What a neat post Verna! Yes, thank goodness God has covered all of his branches 🙂
Thank you for stopping by to comment, Celeste – I enjoy your blog so much.
I love the fact that God led Matthew to list four women besides Mary in the lineage of Jesus. After all, if He can use those four women with all their baggage, He can certainly use us!
For certain, which is why I love the Word . . . such encouragement and possibility! Thank you, Vonda.