Heritage and Continuity

Num 26:16-31         12/17/2017

The census continued with the identification of the clans and the numbering of each of the tribes. Gad, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar and Manasseh were featured in this passage.

Heritage. You secretly think it doesn’t matter. Your grandfather’s grandfather; what is that to you? Who is that to you?

I sense my own autonomy. I want to believe that I am self-made – especially when things are going well.

I don’t think about my ancestors who proceeded me four hundred years ago. I especially don’t think about how their lives have affected mine.

Truth be told – I don’t even know how to think about that.

Is it a spirit that causes heritage; like the kind of spirit that causes a family resemblance of behavior? Do I follow in the spirit of my fathers – even if I don’t actually know anything about them?

Yeah, that’s it. A spirit. I follow even if I don’t realize what’s leading me.

Now we call ourselves Christian. We say we are adopted. We acknowledge that every good thing about us is a product of our heritage in Christ.

If it’s true, we bear the family resemblance. They will know we are Christians by our love. They will recognize the Authentic Community by its love. They will know you are a Christ follower by your love. And they will see you in your child.

The spirit of adoption.

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God” Rom 8:14