The manilla folder contained several yellowing documents. As I opened them, I was surprised to discover these were various documents of my paternal grandmother and grandfather. After she passed away, they were given to my father and when he passed, he gave them to me along with a box of other memorabilia. It was the first time I critically analyzed the documents and one of the pearls I gleaned was the maiden name of my grandmother and the names of my grandfather’s parents. Inspired, I created a simple family tree. Both were born in 1904 in Hawaii. Their parents emigrated from Japan, from cities in Southern Japan. This was the first time I learned of my great-grandparents, my father never spoke of them. Studying the chart, I wondered how far back I could go. If I visited the home villages in Japan where they grew up, would I find clues about them or even distant family members? Perhaps someday I would have this opportunity.
I have never been obsessed with learning about my family tree. Although I teach my children about the accomplishments of their grandparents and how their sacrifices enabled us to live the lifestyle we now enjoy, I never thought of going further back. I have always been more focused on the present and how they should be thankful for the resources and talents God has given them and use them to bring glory to His Kingdom.
The Bible painstakingly records the genealogy of many of its Saints. Establishing lineage was critical for inheritance. Since King David, all the Kings of Israel came from the tribe of Judah. Jesus Christ was a direct descendent of David. His earthly mother, Mary, was also from the tribe of Judah. Because of His ancestry, He was uniquely qualified to be the King and Messiah of Israel and our Lord and Savior.
He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:11-13 (NKJV)
Our ancestry is important if we choose to honor these relationships. In my family, my great-grandparents left Japan for Hawaii, seeking a better life for their family. I, and my family, are the beneficiaries of their sacrifice. Jesus accepted God’s calling for His life. He left the comfort of His home and for three years, taught the Good News of the Kingdom of God. By dying on the Cross and being resurrected three days later, Jesus Christ gave us eternal life and salvation for all who confess their sins and place their faith in Him.
How far back do we need to go to trace our ancestry? God created all of us and we are related to Him through faith and belief in Jesus Christ. Our true family begins when we join the family of God.
Amen.
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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