The Family Name

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:16-21 ESV).

 

It is not surprising that many people find their roots more and more important as they age. In our family, the surname of Emmitte is relatively “new.” My Dad was born in the United Sates from parents who immigrated to this country from Cefula, Sicily. The original surname was Imite. There is a long story attached to the changing of the name that I will not get into here because of space; however, it is an interesting story to be sure. In these later years we have pieced together much of the family history of the Emmitte/Emmite genealogical tree. The picture you see with today’s devotional was taken in 1991, and includes all of the sons and their children of Frank and Rosa Emmitte, my father and mother. It is one of those rare photos of all of us together. The youngest in the picture is now 35, my son. And, I am now the oldest, since both my older brothers are deceased, leaving only myself and my youngest brother, Nick.

 

When you are part of a family, you represent that family. On more than one occasion I have been presented with the dilemma of defending my family, for good or bad. Sometimes it was through the admonition of well-meaning, though wrong people saying something like, “Oh, you don’t want to hang around with that boy. He’s one of the Emmitte’s.” None of us were perfect by any means, but I can say without hesitation that was their loss in many ways.

 

But that is certainly a discussion for another time. Today I want us to consider our heavenly “surname.” As children of God, we represent the family of God, whether we are aware of it or not. The world will judge our Father based on our words, behaviors, and attitudes. Jesus challenges his followers to let their light shine into the world’s spiritual darkness. Our deeds, good or bad, beautiful or ugly, will reflect an image of the Father that others will see.

 

If you are a Christian, you bear the name of Christ. You represent Jesus wherever you go. The Bible goes as far as to call us “Christ’s ambassadors” to the world. Christ is making his appeal to the world through us. He sends us to share his transforming love with our neighbors, friends, relatives, coworkers, everyone we encounter on any given day. We carry the family name of Jesus wherever we go, whatever we do. I am proud to be an Emmitte… I am also proud to be a Christian. That motivates me to reflect well on both!