You probably have heard, or even perhaps have done this – but, you can now send your DNA into a lab where it is genetically tested. The test will reveal to you, people and places in your past – how you are connected to your heritage. My understanding is that you will receive a report about your DNA and that will give you the details of your family history and story. It’s intriguing to me; however, I have never done it before. But, I do believe that our past is important to us. Our past, our family history reveals our identity. It gives us a name, places us in a ‘group’ of people that we can relate. We know to whom we belong!

In Isaiah 11:1-10,Isaiah prophesizes the coming of Jesus. He says, “Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot.” In Matthew’s Gospel, the Apostle begins with the genealogy of Jesus, confirming this prophecy of the coming Christ. (See Matthew 1:1-17). This is done so that we know who Jesus is – the Christ child that was promised to us as far back as the Old Testament. We can know that Jesus is the Messiah. We know whom Jesus belongs! It’s like each of us learning about our genealogy and knowing who we are!

If we could possibly trace our genealogy all the way back to the beginning, we would find that we are all connected to our Father Abraham – meaning that we all belong to God. We may have different biological moms and dads, but in the end, we belong to God and will return to God (Isaiah 11:11). It’s who we are – A child of God – and to whom we belong!

Let us pray…Gracious and Loving God, you love us. You love us because we are your children. You want us to have peace. You want us to feel safe. You want us to know you just as we get to know others. Help us and guide us to your Son, who reigns with you in your heavenly kingdom. Amen.