It is becoming quite popular to try to trace family roots - to
try to find out what happened in your family years and years
ago.
The best known and best recorded family history it that of the Lord
Jesus Christ. The family line of His mother Mary is traced right
back to the first man, Adam. 1*. The family line of His step-father Joseph is
traced back as far as Abraham. 2*. Both these genealogies are recorded in God's
Word, the Holy Bible.
It is interesting to trace back in one's family to find out
about your ancestors. But it would be MIRACULOUS to be able
to look into the future and tell about someone who was to be born
into your family hundreds or thousands of years later!
Throughout the family line of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, God
had continually given detailed promises regarding Him. These began
with promises made to Adam and Eve, 3*. and continued throughout history to many people
- such as Abraham, David, and Isaiah. 4*. Mary was the last in the long family line
that the Messiah was born to. God made the "impossible" promise to
Mary that she as a virgin would be the mother of the Son of God,
and He miraculously brought it to pass. 5*.
Jesus was very familiar with His family history! He knew it was
public knowledge because it was in the Scriptures and He spoke
about it to those who questioned His claims. "How is it that they
say the Christ is the Son of David?", He asked them. "David himself
declares in the Book of Psalms: `The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at
my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your
feet."' David calls Him `Lord'. How then can He be his son?"
6*.
All those who had been told in advance about the coming of
the Messiah knew without a doubt that He was to be far superior to
them. Abraham realised the coming Christ would be the all important
"Seed" in his family; David recognised Him as "Lord" over all; and Isaiah gave Him many exalted
titles, including "Mighty God"! 7*. Mary knew He alone was "the Holy One",
and the One who must be obeyed. 8*.
But now, those who met the Messiah in person despised Him, although
the evidence surrounding Him could not be denied. Instead they were
ready to accept the teachings and authority of religious
leaders.
No one is equal to or able to take the place of Jesus Christ
as your Lord and Saviour. 9*. Jesus warned His listeners; ‘Beware of the
teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and
love to be greeted in the market-places and have the most important
seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets. They
devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men
will be punished most severely.'" 10*.
Are you going to trust your soul to the words and actions of men
wearing "flowing robes"? Or will you put your faith in Jesus
Christ, now returned to Heaven, as that unique Lord over all who alone can be your
Saviour?
Read these claims and warnings of Jesus in Luke's Gospel chapter
20, verses 41-47.
Bye for now,
John Nixon, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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Footnotes. Bible quotations from
N.I.V.
1 Luke 3:23-38.
2 Matthew 1:1-16.
3 Genesis 3:15.
4 Genesis 12:3. 2nd Samuel
7:13. Isaiah 7:14. Luke 1:26-38.
5 Luke 1:35.
6 Luke 20:41-44.
7 Galatians 3:16. Psalm
110:1. Isaiah 9:6.
8 Luke 1:35. John 2:5.
9 Acts 4:12. 1st Timothy
2:5-6. Philippians 2:9-10.
10 Luke
20:46-47.
