As I started with the first chapter of Matthew, it got into the "begats". Normally, and especially in the Old Testament, I glossed over those, sometimes thinking to myself, "will those ever end? C'mon, if you're honest with yourself, you probably have done the same thing! ☺ But for some reason, this time was different. As I read each name, I imagined a big family tree line. I thought to myself, "If all lines were this easy to trace since they are spelled out for me."
And then it really hit me. These people are the ancestors of Jesus Christ. Each one of them had some part to fit in the big puzzle. Actually, it is the ancestry of Joseph, but we know through scriptures that Jesus claims this ancestry. All of these people mentioned in the begat section are of royal lineage. And even over that, they are family.
As I pondered that, my mind went to my own family tree. I have some lines that connect onto royalty. And we know when that happens, the records kept are very precise and one can fly down the lineage by a factor of 8+ generations! They are also family. They all have some part of who I am today. All of our ancestors, through the modern discovery of DNA are contained within us. I bought my wife a DNA kit for Christmas. It wasn't the most expensive gift I have ever bought her, but the way she handled the box, and look of glee told me it was her perfect gift. She understands more than I the importance of finding her ancestors. The DNA kit will give her locales throughout the world where her DNA matches others. It is the modern-day way of linking those generations, and making one big family.
I am also grateful for another lineage that I have. The Holy Priesthood of God. Through that priesthood, I have been both the giver and recipient of the blessings of holding that priesthood. It is a royal priesthood. A royal lineage that can be traced back to the Savior Himself, the great High Priest. I strive to honor the priesthood that was given to me through the laying on of hands by one who had the authority to hold that priesthood. My priesthood lineage is also about family; the family of God.
As I pondered the opening pages of The New Testament and the list of "begats", I felt the love of my Savior even more. I felt as if He was telling me, "this is my mortal lineage". It was important to set that at the very beginning of the scriptures. And then, my mind wandered to the beginnings of other scripture, "I Nephi, having been born of goodly parents...", It is all about family!
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