Have you done much study into your lineage? I had an aunt who did a lot of that for our family. When I look at today’s passages, I am reminded of how important family is. And I am amazed about how connected Scripture is. The same men are mentioned in Genesis 10 and Luke 3. They attest to the lineage of Jesus. I’m amazed at how many lineages you find in the Bible. What does this say to us about a list of names. I have had several thoughts come to mind:
- Each person in the list has a life lived on this planet. Some lived 900 years others not so many (I’m not sure I’d want to live 900!).
- Wouldn’t it be cool if our names were in God’s Word? Well, if you are a Christ follower your name is in the Book of Life that is kept in heaven. You are part of a very important lineage that is reflected in the annals of God’s record keeping.
- I think of another genealogy that all of us can start. How many spiritual children do we have? How many spiritual grand children and on it goes. Who is one person you can start praying for right now that you can lead into your spiritual family?
Another amazing thing about this passage today is found in Luke 3. It speaks to the point above. Just think how connected the entire book we are reading is. Luke 3:4-6 reads:
4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.
5 Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth.
6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’”(NIV)
This is a prophecy from Isaiah 40 quoted here by Dr. Luke. Isaiah’s prophecy was made 700 years before John the Baptist came on the scene. God was/is working out his plan for the world and us even if it seems as if it is taking a long, long time. When I become impatient because of an unanswered prayer or an unresolved situation I need to remember that God’s timing is not mine/ours. He has a plan and is working it out and someday we will see it all from beginning to end.
Father God thank you for your book, the Bible, and how it all fits together as we read it and apply it to our lives. Thank you for the plan you have for each one of us. I pray your Holy Spirit would remind us of it often and that we would be alert to those around us that need to be brought into our spiritual lineage. We love you and do pray all these things in Jesus name, Amen!
Sixty-six books in a year 