Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, ‘A son has been born to Naomi.’ They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David.”
NL Daily Devotion for Saturday, October 20, 2019
by R. Fergus Moir, Clergy Stuff
I am well over half German, with a generous sprinkling of English and Scottish and a soupcon of Euro-mutt. My grandfather’s genealogical research led him to believe that I’m a direct descendant of Gustavus Adolphus, the celebrated Swedish king and general who defended the Protestant cause in the Thirty Years’ War. I’m not so sure about that. But in any case, it’s fascinating to look at our family trees and genealogical history. It gives us a sense of connection and identity, an inclusion in something far bigger than we are alone.
King David, the most celebrated monarch in Jewish history, had as his ancestor one Ruth, a Moabitess—that is, a foreigner, a non-Israelite, an immigrant alien from an otherwise hated nation. And since David is an ancestor of Jesus, that means Jesus himself had a diverse family tree.
At a time when white supremacy runs rampant throughout the world, when people of many races and cultures claim superiority by reason of genealogy, we would do well to remember that Jesus’ own family tree was far from “pure.” God chose to reveal God’s self to us in the person of Jesus, descended from outsiders, himself a former alien in Egypt, a member of an oppressed society, and a challenge to all those who held themselves to be superior.
Gracious God, inspire me to celebrate the diversity of your beloved children, and embrace my membership among them as equals. Amen.
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