Take JR Ewing for instance, can you imagine him having to write a resume?
Going on a job interview? Sitting across from an HR person answering
questions? Consider that one for a moment, and you see his birthright left with
no alternative but to go to work for his dad at Ewing Oil. Even Bobby left, but
came back, the power, security, and the draw of a family owned and operated
business can be too much. JR never had another choice to make, it was his
fortune to head Ewing Oil someday. He would have titles, but they were only to
refer to what and who he really was, a Ewing. Now just east of Dallas, lies the
state of Louisiana, where in real life a family has made a fortune out of duck
calls. The Robertson family, and they are every bit as proud of their heritage
and family as the Ewings were. Being a Robertson is a badge of honor they carry
proudly, and are passing it down to their children and grandchildren, just like
Jock passed it on to his sons and grand kids. And just as the Ewings will
always be associated with oil, the Robertsons will always be associated with
duck calls. Even works in sports, as another southern family, the Mannings, are
now in the second generation of NFL legacy. Counting who has won the most Super
Bowls, and like their southern family neighbors, just mention JR, Willie, Jase,
Eli, or Peyton, and you know of which family you are talking. No last name
needed, but yet being born into the family of that name brought them power and a
future, it was just up to them to follow the course set for them, and how much
success it would bring. And real life can be more interesting than a TV drama,
as even two George Bushes have lived in the White House, and another brother is
considering running. Some families have destiny built into them, while some
have it thrust upon them. Yet others, no matter how they try, cannot escape
it. Families, business but none of your business.
Now we all want our father’s blessing, and JR definitely had Jock’s. He
loved and adored his daddy and wanted to make him proud. And JR definitely had
his daddy’s eye for business. But needed to be kept under that watchful eye,
for JR could run free, just like the Robertson boys do. But a strong patriarch
sets the tone, and demands the honor. But it is not always like that, as
birthrights are important, and Esau got outsmarted twice, losing the birthright,
then his father’s blessing, both times being tricked out of what was rightfully
his. Splitting a family forever, until the end of both His and Jacob’s lives,
when they made amends. Makes the fight for Ewing oil seem frivolous by
comparison. So we each have a birthright, a gift from God, no matter where we
are born in the pecking order, it is up to us to do what we can with the gift.
Or watch as it melts away, never really ours to start with. What we become can
not always be depended upon who we are. Life makes it interesting that way.
And it makes for good TV.
A young Jesus of Nazareth was faced with many decisions. Born into a
family where his dad was a carpenter, he was trained by Joseph to be a finishing
carpenter, one who built yokes for cattle, a true talent. Think of the times
spent with His earthly dad, learning the trade, choosing wood, how to handle
tools, and how to make it fit just right on the oxen. How many times did He
fuss to make it just right, to please His dad, to earn the name on earth as the
son of Joseph and Mary. He had a successful career ahead of Him, but knew deep
inside that the calling His heavenly Father had called Him to was more
important. He had all the talent to make it as a carpenter, but had
supernatural power to make it as our savior. For 33 years He was the son of a
carpenter, but for eternity would and will be known as the Son of God. Two
titles, one that could have brought Him fame and fortune, to be financially set,
and pass on to His own sons, or one that He would die for, and pass onto
countless sons and daughters unto a last generation. Choosing to be the Son of
God, and the continuance of a family business, one that continues today without
interruption. But with a difference, as Jock, Phil, and Archie would have
grandchildren, and pass on to them the family name and heritage, we find God has
no grandchildren. A strange idea at first, but then realize we are so precious
to Him that we have a direct lineage, we are His children, and joint heirs with
His son Jesus. We who are grandchildren here on earth, will carry the title of
children in heaven, no generational differences in heaven. A family history
without end, and one you are not born into, but must be born again into. For we
are all not children of God, as some would have us think, but we must be born
again, into the family, and without it we have no right to being called a
Christian. We are not family until then, but we are loved so much that Jesus
died so we can be reunited with His Father in heaven. John 1:12-13 offering us
the chance to join the family, to sit at the table, and get all the blessings.
With all the rights and power that go with it.
So consider Jesus if you will, and make the same choice He did. Born in
obscurity, no other person has changed history, or the world like He has, and
continues to do today. His titles are many, Son of Man, Son of God, Master,
rabbi, teacher, and savior. But you can call Him by His name, His first name,
Jesus. Do you know Him well enough to do that? Would you like to? To each of
us, has been given that opportunity to be part of the family of God. Born into
sin, we can be saved. No other family can offer you that, you may marry into
the Ewings, but only by name be one. Same with the Robertsons, Mannings, and
your own family. But once born again into the family of God, you have that
title and name forever.
Some may ask about the Ewings, what hath Jock wrought? The same can be
asked about Phil and Archie. What does that say about Jesus? Why not choose
Him today and join the real first family, royalty and meekness all at once.
Power and glory, more than any political power could ever attain. More wealth
than can be counted, and eternal life. Jock passed on, Phil and Archie will
someday. As will their sons, as so will we. What we pass on to our children
will be the most important. God passed on the love and salvation to man through
His son Jesus, and we can pass it on through Him too. Jesus Christ, still
taking care of the family business 2000 years later. Imagine Him applying to be
savior of your life today, He has the credentials, the power, and the lineage.
Intangibles no HR person could ever dream of. Interview Him, ask Him into your
life today, and start on a lifetime career that ends in heaven. Does your
present job offer that? Mine does, and Jesus is still hiring. Come to Him
today, be part of the family. Meet Jesus personally. Y’all bow.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com