A WHO YOU FOR? A WHO YOU BELONG TO? Has anyone ever asked you that question? Have you ever asked anyone that question? What was your reason for asking? Why was it important to you? Why are people always curious to find out who someone belongs to? Well, it is out of curiosity. It is a fundamental human trait. It is the driving force behind a quest for knowledge. People always have a thirst to know who people belong to. Their family history and background provide meaningful connections.
Knowing a person’s history and genealogy is important. Do you know your family’s history and genealogy? You see, your family’s history and genealogy will provide you with a way to connect with your past while building your future. It serves to give you a sense of where you came from, while also creating a sense of pride. That is the same for Jesus as well. Do you know who Jesus is? Is Jesus really who he says he is? Do you know his history and genealogy?
We always have the tendency when reading the Bible to skip over or ignore the sections about the genealogy of persons. We tend to see those as boring, or find their names too difficult to pronounce, but we need to pay special attention to the information because the Bible’s genealogies offer many important insights.
It is time to search the scriptures and reclaim our spiritual heritage. It is important for us to know our identity in Christ so that we can embrace our God-ordained purpose and claim the power we have in Him.
So, who was Jesus? Who did He belong to? It is important to read St. Luke Chapter 3 verses 23 to 38 to find the answer to that question.
Do you see His connections? Do you see Jesus birth was not an accident? His genealogy establishes the fact that He came from the line of Abraham and the line of David – and from the tribe of Judah. This is very important information. Jesus had a legitimate claim to His heritage. Jesus genealogy also puts Him in a unique position and supports what He said about Himself. Jesus was born in the line of David and in the line of Abraham. The people could not find any way to discredit Him.
So, in the Gospel of Luke, when they heard Jesus speak they were shocked. They were amazed because they thought they knew Jesus. They watched him growing up. “So, who is this person?” they asked, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” The problem in their minds was that His occupation did not qualify Him to have that kind of wisdom. Joseph’s son was too ordinary. Where did He get such wisdom and knowledge? Joseph’s son could NOT be the Messiah. When the Messiah comes He will be someone who is greater, and far more important, than Joseph’s son.
The audacity of those people! Can you believe it? Do you see why it is important for you to know for SURE who you are, and not to allow people to define you?
Little did they know that the person they thought they knew as Joseph’s son was actually God’s son. He was indeed the Messiah. Jesus had no need to prove himself to anyone – who He was – and He did not. Born in the grip of poverty, and willingly identifying with people at the lowest level of society, Jesus revealed the glorious truth that He came to be the Saviour of all mankind. In Matthew 16:15-17, Jesus asked Peter, “Who do people say that I am?” The question strikes at the heart of the quest of his identity. The people gave many names, but when Jesus asked Peter, “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered without a shadow of a doubt, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Can you imagine how Jesus felt? Jesus replied to him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. He was absolutely correct.
Do you know for sure who Jesus is? Are you convinced that Jesus is who He says He is? Many people still do not know who Jesus is, and are still asking, “Who is this man?” Is He not Joseph’s son? Is He not the son of Mary? My friends, Jesus was, and still is, the Messiah, the Saviour and Son of God, given to us to redeem us and help us.
Do you not know that a man is not dead while his name is still spoken? Therefore, we cannot keep that amazing news to ourselves – we must celebrate it and share him with others.
The most common way for others to know us is by our name. That is usually the first step in getting acquainted. It is important not only for others to know what to call us, but our names reflect who we are – our family heritage and our self-identity.
Remember: Names make a difference! A name can hold great value and meaning to persons and even carry their legacy long after their lifetime.
About the Author: Mrs. Marilyn Hodge owns and operates the Wellness Centre in the Farrington, Anguilla. The Centre offers Counselling Services by Appointment Only and has now published Positive Living Volume 3. Contact information: 476-3517 or email: marilynb@anguillanet.com. www.facebook.com/axawellnesscentre
