Spiritual Genealogy
Spiritual Genealogy
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; (Jn. 17:20)
Jesus's words were given to his disciples on hills, in cities, by the lake. Not just the Apostles, but all of his many disciples. Thousands heard his sermons and were impacted by them. Yet this prayer wasn't for them. Perhaps they taught their children as well. Many more came to know the Lord through the word of his many disciples. And of course the Apostles proclaimed His words throughout Jerusalem and other regions in Judea and beyond. These folks were prayed for by the Lord himself.
Paul spread the words throughout the greater Greco-Roman Empire. And many teachers came from them. Polycarp and others. The Church Fathers, Augustine, on down to St. Patrick even, where my family comes from. They heard Jesus' words, were saved, and told others.
Somehow through the dark medieval times, the gospel kept going, kept spreading, somehow. In the shadows, among the illiterate, passed on dispite an apostate church and apostate ministers. Later it burst into new vibrancy through Martin Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, and Bucer. On into the Continental Churches then to England and Scotland. On and on it went. Sometimes nearly extinguished, sometimes alive and growing. Still there were those who heard His words being passed down, and were saved, and passed His word along.
Then His words were taken to the New World in wooden ships on the water. More and more it spread. Nations rose and fell. Wars killed millions around the world. Technologies emerged to both heal and to devastate. America emerged as the world's leading country. And Bachmans and Powers emigrated from Germany and Ireland through Nova Scotia. Along the way one Bachman married a Cherokee woman and took her off the reservation. She had children, my forebears. They continued through farms in Oklahoma, settling in Arizona before it became a State. None of them knew God, as far as it can be known. Just lost people living.
Then some unknown neighbor, or family member, told Mr. and Mrs. Mace about the Lord. I don't know where they were, or how old they were. But they were saved by the atoning blood of Christ through His word, just as He had prayed for them. They moved to a street in my neighborhood. They invited me to Church in the 1960s. A little Nazarene Church. No big deal. No fancy programs. Just Church and Sunday School. Pastor Morford preached every Sunday, and I came and listened and sang hymns. And then I met Jesus and His words at the annual revival meeting. I don't remember the evangelist's name. My brother and I went. He didn't like it. I went the whole week. I was saved then. My brother wasn't. He's dead now, without the Lord.
I met my wife there years later in that very church. We were married there by Pastor Hawthorn. Now nearly forty years later, I still hear the Lord's words day and night in reading and in sermons. God is good. Jesus prayed for me over 2000 years ago, and here I am. In His sheepfold, waiting for that glorious day when I too shall be like Him for I will see Him as He is. And I tell others about Jesus too. Some of them Jesus prayed for too, and I will see them in Glory. I hope I will see you there. Listen to Jesus’ words, who ever it is that tells them to you, don't wait. Come to him and be saved.