I recently met a woman who had grown up her whole life, well into her early 40’s, not knowing who her father was. Her mother didn’t even know. So when the technology came along for DNA testing and lineage tracing, she was an early adopter. For over a decade she waited for a hit.
Then, one day, an email landed in her inbox saying that a DNA match had been found: a cousin. The two ladies connected online and eventually met in person. As they talked, and as more family extended family members did DNA tests, the picture became more clear. All genetic signs pointed to two brothers: one of them was her uncle, and one of them was her father.
Then came an opportunity to meet one of them. Unsurprisingly, there was clearly a family resemblance. I saw it with my own eyes. Same mouth. Same eyes. Same skin tone. Sort of the same nose. Direct paternity had not been confirmed. But dang. In my opinion the science would only confirm what was obvious to everyone.
When I asked her how she felt about it all, about meeting him as well as other family members, she said, “You know that part in the Grinch where his heart grew two sizes too big? That’s what I feel like!”
When Jesus’ disciples asked him to show them the Father, he said, “You’ve already seen me!” He bears the family resemblance. So if you want to learn to recognize the Father, spend lots of time with Jesus. Taking this further, if you want to learn to recognize Jesus, spend lots of time with others who also bear the family resemblance.
Then, one day, perhaps quite unexpectedly, it will dawn on you what a big, messy, beautiful family you have, and what a gracious Father you share with them, and your heart will grow two sizes too big.
