Family Trees

Gospel:  Matthew 1: 1-16, 18-23

In today's Gospel portion we are presented with the family tree of Jesus.  The creator of said ancestry chart goes to great lengths to show that Jesus is both a descendant of Abraham and a descendant of David.  In order to do so, the construction departs from the traditional method of tracing these origins through male ancestors by adding two women to the family tree in order to make it work.  Some generations are skipped entirely in order to maintain the neat 14 generations between significant figures and events.

It all seems like a lot of work to get to Joseph, who is not even Jesus' biological father.  So, why all the fuss?  Jesus is adopted by Joseph, and according to the ancient laws of ancestry the adopted child inherits the lineage of the father.  They now belong to that household and ancestry regardless of actual biological origins.  What is more, that heritage and inheritance can never be taken away.  An adopted child could not be disowned in ancient societies.  

We are all adopted children of God in the same way that Jesus was adopted by Joseph.  Regardless of our bloodlines and family trees, we have all been adopted into the family of God.  We cannot be disowned.  We are part of this great heritage and so heirs of God's kingdom.  We need not have any fear.  We need not spend time creating lineage charts and the like.  Our relationship with God is secure.  The family of God is a safe house for all who accept their adoption.