It was a lovely early summer day in May, the time when we “visited the graves” to clean away the weeds and placed flowers on the headstones of those who had gone on before us.  This was a ritual that was performed by my grandparents and then my parents in my growing up days.  On my dad’s side of the family; it was a family reunion.  We would first meet at the grave of my grandfather who passed away before he was 60 who left behind a very young widow.  My grandmother had four sons who brought her great joy when they would together there with their families.  After placing flowers, meditating with a prayer over the grave of my grandfather, we would then go to a local park to enjoy a picnic lunch.  The kids played ball and enjoyed each other’s company while the adults talked and laughed loudly, catching up on each other’s lives.  This was tradition.  I smile because as a young child I thought everyone did this.

We did the same with my mom’s side of the family. As my parents passed however, these traditions faded as being less important.  The family reunions of the past were no longer tradition as families scattered across the nation.  Honoring those who have gone on before us are remembered only by the memories that pop up in our minds while doing daily tasks.  However, I still lay flowers on my parents grave…I am compelled by love to honor them in this way.

But before my parents passed, I distinctly remember one of the last times I went with them to visit the grave of my grandparents as if it were yesterday.  We had completed our mission of cleaning up the area around the graves and laying flowers and were headed back to our car.  This cemetery where my grandparents were buried was located “way out in the country” on a hill in Oklahoma.  As I was corralling my kids who were running around, an elderly man limped hurriedly came over to greet me and no one else.  He was staring right into my face as he said, “You have to be Blanche Lacquement’s girl—I see her in you.”  Tears welled up in his eyes.  I told him, “Why yes, I am her granddaughter.”  I will never forget that day as this moment connected me once more to those who greatly loved and cared for me as a child and whom I adored.  This connection also reminded me of what they taught me about God and His connection to us.

Why am I telling you this memory alongside (an obscure to most) passage of Luke that shares the lineage of Jesus both as Son of Man and Son of God?  It is important to God for us to know we are descendants as “sons and daughters of Adam” who God created. It is important for us to know where we came from and where we are going.  It is important to know that Jesus is alpha and omega—He was at the beginning of creation with God, died and rose again so that we could follow Him in victory over death, and that Jesus will be at the end of time on earth when HE comes back once more to claim all “family members” and establish God’s Heavenly Kingdom for all who believe in Him.  Now that is a family reunion!  New life in Christ leads us to eternal life with God, the father of all who began the lineage of eternal hope! 

We who believe are connected!

Luke 3, The Message

Son of Adam, Son of God

^23-38 When Jesus entered public life he was about thirty years old, the son (in public perception) of Joseph, who was—

son of Heli,

son of Matthat,

son of Levi,

son of Melki,

son of Jannai,

son of Joseph,

son of Mattathias,

son of Amos,

son of Nahum,

son of Esli,

son of Naggai,

son of Maath,

son of Mattathias,

son of Semein,

son of Josech,

son of Joda,

son of Joanan,

son of Rhesa,

son of Zerubbabel,

son of Shealtiel,

son of Neri,

son of Melchi,

son of Addi,

son of Cosam,

son of Elmadam,

son of Er,

son of Joshua,

son of Eliezer,

son of Jorim,

son of Matthat,

son of Levi,

son of Simeon,

son of Judah,

son of Joseph,

son of Jonam,

son of Eliakim,

son of Melea,

son of Menna,

son of Mattatha,

son of Nathan,

son of David,

son of Jesse,

son of Obed,

son of Boaz,

son of Salmon,

son of Nahshon,

son of Amminadab,

son of Admin,

son of Arni,

son of Hezron,

son of Perez,

son of Judah,

son of Jacob,

son of Isaac,

son of Abraham,

son of Terah,

son of Nahor,

son of Serug,

son of Reu,

son of Peleg,

son of Eber,

son of Shelah,

son of Kenan,

son of Arphaxad,

son of Shem,

son of Noah,

son of Lamech,

son of Methuselah,

son of Enoch,

son of Jared,

son of Mahalaleel,

son of Kenan,

son of Enos,

son of Seth,

son of Adam,

son of God.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Revel in being connected!  We all have different memories, traditions, cultures in which we were raised but we are one in Christ who connects all of us to God and each other!

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”  Romans 8:17

What does it mean to be co-heirs/joint-heirs with Christ?

According to this verse, we share in the sufferings of Christ now and will share in the glory of Christ later as His “co-heirs” or “joint-heirs.”

The term heirs of God emphasize our relationship to God the Father. As His children, we have “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade . . . kept in heaven” (1 Peter 1:4). The Greek term translated “heirs” in Romans 8:17 refers to “those who receive their allotted possession by right of sonship.” In other words, because God has made us His children (see John 1:12), we have full rights to receive His inheritance. We are His beneficiaries (see Matthew 25:34; Galatians 3:29; Colossians 1:12; 3:24).

Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, is the natural “heir” of the Father. “God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father” (Hebrews 5:5; cf. Psalm 2:7).

Christ’s inheritance is the whole universe, all that is in existence. Hebrews 1:2 says that the Son has been “appointed heir of all things.” Being a co-heir with Christ means that we, as God’s adopted children, will share in the inheritance of Jesus. What belongs to Jesus will also belong to us. Christ gives us His glory (John 17:22), His riches (2 Corinthians 8:9), and all things (Hebrews 1:2). We are as welcome in God’s family as Jesus is; we are “accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6, NKJV). All that belongs to Jesus Christ will belong to us, the co-heirs, as well.

“You are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir” (Galatians 4:7). Think of all that means. Everything that God owns belongs to us as well because we belong to Him. Our eternal inheritance as co-heirs with Christ is the result of the amazing grace of God!

Why wait?  Believe and be saved.  Trust God and be made whole.  Be assured you are part of the family that is always and forever connected and reconciled to God!

Lord,

Thank you for the memories you brought to my mind today of the rich inheritance of the examples of faith from my parents and their parents, but also of the rich inheritance I have in you—all because of Jesus.  Thank you for reminding me of the connection you established with your created from the beginning.  Thank you, dear Jesus, for paying the price for our sins so we can be reconciled—reconnected back to God!  I am grateful.  I will live gratefully as I remember how deep your love flows in and through us.  I pray that our children and grandchildren know how much I love you and believe and love You, too.  On and on and on—throughout all generations—you are faithful!

In Jesus Name, Amen