I remember when my boys were growing up I wanted to instill in them a sense of pride in family. I’m not talking about a sinful pride rather a sense of belonging to something bigger than self. But even more than family, I wanted them to remember the larger family for which they were a part. When they would leave home I would remind them, “Remember who you are and Whose you are!”
I have written many times about the importance of a family heritage. Let us consider some additional thoughts.
Think of the heritage of some of our Bible heroes. Paul’s first missionary journey begins in the 13th chapter of the book of Acts. We are introduced to Paul and Barnabas’ traveling companion, John, in verse 5. We learn later that John departed from them in Pamphylia (Acts 15:36) but he was a companion of Barnabas going forward. He is called John Mark and we learn something of his heritage earlier in Acts 12.
Acts 12:12 – So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.
John Mark’s mother Mary was a faithful follower evidenced by her hosting other believers in her home. John Mark’s heritage exposed him to the LORD and the truth. He probably witnessed the miraculous release of Peter from prison discussed in the Acts 12 account. He no doubt had a spiritual heritage.
Another one of our Bible heroes is the young evangelist, Timothy. Paul first meets Timothy in Acts 16. From verse one we see Timothy’s mother was a believer. The text’s silence about his father suggests he was not a believer.
Paul gives us a further glimpse of Timothy’s heritage in the second epistle to the young preacher.
2 Timothy 1:5 – when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.
As with John Mark, Timothy also had a spiritual heritage, having at least two generations of believers to thank for his faith.
In both of these passages, don’t miss the influence of those godly women. John Mark had a godly mother. Timothy had a GOD fearing mother and grandmother. Women have a powerful spiritual influence in the family. I urge you young mothers to take advantage of those young formative years in your children.
An even longer lineage of faith is found in the book of Genesis and the story of Joseph. Taking what is found in Genesis 50:23 and 48:13-16, we find 7 generations listed in the Bible. These generations are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Manasseh, Machir, and Machir’s children.
If you have an ancestral tree of Godly servants, count yourself very lucky. Joseph was such a man.
Godly ancestors are a blessing, but you have no control over those who came before you in your family tree. However, you have much influence over those who follow in your lineage.
Yes, the perfect scenario would be for one to be like Joseph in the family lineage. That is to say, have generations before and generations after, that serve the LORD. But we have no control over those who came before us. It is those who follow for which we can impact.
My greatest desire, my prayer, is to leave a heritage of love of the truth and service for my GOD to those who follow me.
If I am lucky I may be able to see 2 or 3 generations of my descendants. Maybe even like Joseph, to have my great-grandchildren sit on my knees. But in the afterlife, the greatest blessing will be to have those multiple generations join me in the heavenly abode and have at least a small part of it be because of my influence. Yes, that is my prayer.