I have been doing a little reading into my family history in the last year or so, going over papers my mother gave me and some history on the internet. We are all descended from kings and queens, I suppose. One ancestor was half brother of William the Conqueror and came to England during the raids of 1066, another, Nesta, a beautiful princess among the Welsh. So if I am descended from royalty, why am I making my own breakfast this morning? (By the way, I like making breakfast.)
Jehoshaphat brought great religious reform and was loyal to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the covenant brought by Moses, favored by God. Not so with Jehoram, his son. He chose to live as someone else’s child, like Jeroboam, like his mother and his wife, both the daughters of Ahab. How can a man be so doubly cursed to be both the grandchild and son-in-law of Ahab? He lived as they did and died with no one’s regret, 2 Chron. 21:20. His son Azariah lived and died a rank pagan, killed by the men of Jehu.
Jesus challenges the cantankerous Jews to own up to their true heritage. “Abraham is our father and we have never been slaves to anyone.” Jesus reveals the truth: Your blood line may be one thing, your spiritual heritage is another. Your foundation of life and your actions tell who your true “father” is. When Jesus claimed God as his Father this context may reflect his Deity, and certainly he says this later, but the point being he is the child of the one he imitates, Eph. 5:1. The counterpoint of the whole confrontation comes when Jesus forces the realities upon them: Your father, your allegiance, your true nature are known by your actions: you are the spawn of Satan, liars, hating the truth. Rejecting Jesus, later they will become his murderers.
So, I am a Celt, and a few other things. I like to play with the Irish language, and enjoy the green of the rolling fields on the emerald isle–perhaps some day I will see it with my own eyes. Yet, you can read of the beliefs and practices of ancient Celts I do not share, and a few from the 18th century Restoration leaders which I do share. I must choose each day who my “father” is, who my real “family” is. My parents came to Christ as young adults, and I am blessed that my father and mother are my “brother and sister” and my siblings are doubly my “brothers.” Yet, again, each day I must choose who my family and “Father” is, to be faithful, they cannot do it for me.
So, who is your Father?
Prayer: Thank You, Holy One, that we may call You “Father.” May our lives bear out that we are truly Your children. For Jesus sake and in His name, we thank You. Amen.
