All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.
This opening line is from Tolstoy’s, Anna Karenina. It is considered the greatest novel ever written - a deeply moving exploration of human character!
But Luke has a more hopeful story!
Here he simply records the names of the fathers in the lineage of Joseph. For Jesus was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph.
We know very little of most of these families. Were they happy or not?
Yet we are certain Jesus’ family was a happy one simply because He was in it!
We must believe Tolstoy is right. There are many ways families may be unhappy. Many dead ends, but only one way leading to true happiness!
And even happy families have their struggles. After all, it is the way of the fallen world in which we live.
But Luke wants every father and mother, every child, to find the way through to real happiness that Jesus alone can provide.
This is Luke’s message for all families. It is one of Good News! The story of Jesus!
To become serious students of this Teacher! Allow Him to reshape our character! And in this process be led together with our families into the very happiness and joy of God!
Happy families because Jesus is in them! In this way, all happy families are alike!
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