Meaningless Identity

Scripture: In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Luke 1:5

Observation: John the Baptist is born of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Jesus is born of Mary and Joseph. In the gospels, we get Jesus' lineage back to David, of the tribe of Judah. Here we get insight into John the Baptist. His parents are both descendants of Aaron, thus certified as part of the priestly lineage, of the tribe of Levi. The fact Mary and Elizabeth a cousins but from different tribes is interesting, but after ~1,400 years, not surprising. With intermarriages, it seems easy enough to understand how most people could probably find a ancestral path back to several tribes, and likely with the four southern tribes of Judah (Judah, Benjamin, Simeon (which was contained in Judah), and Levi (who lived everywhere)).

How someone therefore identified may have had to do with the emphasis of their family. Mary's family remained loyal to their tie to the line of David. Elizabeth's family retained their status as part of the priestly line. They chose how they wanted their backstory to inform their lives.

Application: I myself can say different things about my ancestry. I am Dutch ... or German. I'm only third generation born in the US ... or my family began living in the Northwest before 1800. I am born and raised in Seattle ... or am from Southern California. I can claim all these things, so the question is, does it matter?

The answer is 'no'. My identity is found only in my adopted sonship of the Lord, through faith in Jesus. My brothers and sisters are those in Christ. My home is the church family. I live in God's blessing. Ultimately, that was all that mattered, to Mary, Joseph, Zechariah, and Elizabeth, that they chose to live within God's purpose and plan for their lives. Their stories begin with their ancestry, but they matter in their faith.

Prayer: Lord, my identity is in you alone. I am a child of the one true king, creator of heaven and earth. May that be what my life is about, and not about any history, background, or past story. Amen.