Should We Embrace Our Heritage?
The Messianic rabbi said, “We want to know who you are. Take your cell phone out, and those of you who are Messianic Jews, we want you to text ‘yes.’ If your grandparent was Jewish, Hitler would have considered you a Jew so you are Messianic.”
I periodically attend Messianic services like this one, but this was the first time I’d labeled myself a “Messianic Jew.” My paternal grandmother was Jewish, so that made my father Jewish. Since my father died before I was born, I never grew up practicing Jewish customs, but I always knew I was a daughter of Abraham. My grandmother called me her little “Jew baby.” Even though I was blonde, I still have some of the distinct features of that heritage.
Years ago, when I was in my first television job in Chattanooga, Tennessee, there were two synagogues in the area. Both rabbis called me up, and invited me to worship with them at their respective congregations. Since I am a Christian, I respectfully declined, but how did they know about my Jewish roots?
There’s something about our roots, and because of mine, I’ve always felt a supernatural connection with Jewish people. When I fulfilled a lifelong dream of going to Israel in 2014, my message there was “Your Jewish father died, but your Jewish roots have not died.” I am still trying to figure out what I’m supposed to do with that.
The cool thing is, according to Scripture, everyone can be Jewish. Because when we believe in Jesus Christ, we are grafted into God’s special people. In Romans 11:17, Paul refers to Gentiles as a wild olive shoot, grafted in among the others, and now sharing in the nourishing sap from the olive root.
That means if your family roots are not noteworthy, you can embrace a new family in Christ.
Maybe you had an abusive father. God becomes your loving Dad (Ephesians 1:3-6).
A dysfunctional family? Your Christian brothers and sisters become your new family (Hebrews 13:1).
Rejected by a loved one? God will never leave you nor forsake you (Matthew 28:20).
We should not wallow in past family indiscretions. Instead, we need to embrace our Judeo-Christian heritage.
Jabez was a guy who wanted to trade in his heritage for a better model. From birth, he was labeled, because his mom gave him a name that meant, “I gave birth to him in pain.”
What mom would do that?
But Jabez desired to overcome his familial shortcomings, and cried out to God, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain” (1 Chronicles 4:9-10).
He wanted to break free of the label his mother gave him, but he knew the only one who could transform him was God. And because of Jabez’ faith, God granted his request.
Are you repeating family indiscretions, handed down for generations, or are you claiming your new heritage in Christ?
Like Jabez, sisters and brothers, you can ask God for a new identity, and the strength to overcome. You don’t have to dwell in unfertile soil anymore, because as a fringe benefit of your new family roots, God’s flourishing promises are waiting to be unearthed. Will you pray with me?
Lord, I am tired of living in the past. I am ready to give my life totally over to you because I want to break free of the family dysfunction, addictions, and generational curses that plague me. Please give me a new identity. I want to be grafted into your roots, because without your nourishment, I cannot grow into the person you created me to be. Thank you for grafting me into your family. Thank you for your transformational power. Thank you for loving me enough to send your Son to die for me.
In the Name of Jesus, I pray these things. Amen.
Loved this, Lisa! Thank you for sharing about the blessing of our heritage.