It’s the quintessential summer morning and I’m driving on the road that connects our home to our church, Pleasantville Road. This nicely-named road connects Marilyn and me to home and church in more ways than you might imagine. If you’ll give me a minute, I’d love to explain.
Pleasantville Road politely points travelers to and from the village of Pleasantville. At the turn of the twentieth century, villages like Pleasantville provided the civic foundation necessary to consolidate a myriad of one-room-school houses scattered across the rural landscape into one efficient school building per community. Farm kids of all ages emerged blinking from their tiny one-room schools and hiked into town to attend the new public school. The dust raised by their bare feet provides the foundation for the road I’m on today.
I recently came across an old photograph similar to the one above of a bunch of ragamuffin kids, many in their bare feet, ranging from age six to sixteen, peering expressionless into the camera. The picture was taken in front of Oakthorpe’s one-room-school in the mid-1920’s. And in the midst of those emotionless stares, two very familiar faces peer back at me… a boy named Marvin and a pretty little girl named Carrie Mae. Twenty or so years later, I would come to know them as Mom and Dad. Twenty or so years after that, Marilyn and I would hold our wedding reception at that very same one-room school house located just a few hundred yards off Pleasantville Road.
And today, on this sun-rich morning, as I crest a knoll, I’m able to see for miles in every direction. Broad green fields of corn and soy beans are dotted by clusters of buildings, the home place of each farm. Their tall grain bins rise proudly out of the mist, like monuments in a well-mown cemetery. Speaking only to myself, I begin to name each farm, “The Mollendick Farm… the Rowles Farm, and there’s the Miller Farm.” Today, these are large agribusinesses, yet unlike other businesses, they don’t carry the name of a company or a product. Instead they carry the families’ names… real names of real people.
That thought stirred my spirit and caused me to remember I share in a rich family heritage. My niece, Katie, and her family live today in the original Grubb Farmhouse (circa1820). My father was born and raised there, as was his father before him. Its hand-made bricks—kilned on location and laid by my Great-Great-Grandpa Grubb— rest die-straight on their hand-carved sandstone foundation. I’m quietly aware of an incredible sense of heritage.
Perhaps you aren’t able to trace your family heritage. Maybe you believe you have no family heritage to celebrate. Jesus understands that completely because he was rejected and despised by his relatives. However, as believers we all share a wonderful heritage. Jesus Christ, our spiritual brother, has provided an incredible spiritual heritage. Listen to what the Bible says about your heritage:
24 “The law was like those Greek tutors, with which you are familiar, who escort children to school and protect them from danger or distraction, making sure the children will really get to the place they set out for. 25 But now you have arrived at your destination: 26 By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. 27 Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe–Christ’s life, the fulfillment of God’s original promise. 28 In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. 29 Also, since you are Christ’s family, then you are Abraham’s famous “descendant,” heirs according to the covenant promises.
Galatians 3:24-29 The Message
Read Galatians 3:24-29 in your Bible
1. As members of Christ’s family, what heritage do you enjoy (verse 26)?
2. Verse 27 refers to “dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe—Christ’s life…” What do you believe that means?
3. Is there anyone in the family of God who is more important to Him than you?
4. Abraham was promised a place, prosperity, and peace. According to verse 29, what then is your heritage?
Read Hebrews 2:11-13
1. Who is the one who makes men holy (verse 11)?
2. As believers in Christ we are made holy by Him making us of the same ___________________?
3. Prayerfully consider how it makes you feel to know that Christ is not ashamed of you.
4. Who is Jesus not ashamed to call His brothers? May He call you “brother”?
Read Ephesians 3:14-21
1. Can you find the Holy Trinity mentioned in verses 14 through 17?
2. Why do you think the Bible includes the Trinity when it speaks of the “whole family in heaven”?
3. How does God strengthen you with power (verse 16)?
4. What part of us does God strengthen through his Spirit (verse 16)?
5. How much is God able to do for us through Christ (verse 20)?
Heavenly Father, I’m not able to put into words how grateful I am that you call me your child, a member in good standing in your family. Thank you, Jesus, that you are not ashamed to call me your brother. I pray that the power of the Holy Spirit will flow through me and that I might be an instrument of your glory! Amen.