The 42nd Generation

As you all know, I'm in a leadership program with an non-profit organization called G42 Leadership Academy. For three months now, I've been wanting to explain what exactly G42 means and where the name came from, but I could never figure out how to communicate it clearly and concisely.

Lucky for me, one of our staff members and teachers, Dave Hearn (The Warrior Shepherd) wrote a blog perfectly explaining G42 and the concept of the 42nd Generation. Since he explained it way better than I'd ever be able to, I figured I'd just let you read what he wrote! If you want to read more of his thoughts, check out his blog.

The 42nd Generation

The concept of the 42nd Generation is initially taken from Matthew chapter 1, the genealogy of Jesus Christ. If you’re like me, you’ve probably skimmed that genealogy to get to the good stuff like the birth of Jesus.

But I’ll give you a second to pull up the genealogy in Matthew 1:1-17. Then another 15 seconds to actually count the men in that genealogy. (hint: there are 41.)

But then verse 17 says:

there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah

14+14+14= (drumroll please) 42.

Okay... So either Matthew couldn't count, or he was trying to make a point about the generations leading to Jesus Christ, the Messiah. 

 
Photo Credit: Wolfgang Staudt 

Jesus, Son of Man, is the 41st Generation

Jesus, son of Mary, born in Bethlehem, was completely human. He went through the same growing process as we all did: learning, making friends, scraping his knee, and becoming initiated as a man into the Jewish culture. He has the same temptations we did and basically lived a "normal life." 

Christ, Son of God, is the 42nd Generation 

Now, the mysterious part - Jesus was also completely God. Introduced by the Holy Spirit and the Father's voice from heaven, his baptism kickstarted his ministry. His resurrection from the dead, defeating sin, confirmed his Messiah-ness.

So, Jesus, 100% human, is also Christ, 100% God. And man. At the same time. This was his destiny, this was the plan, for him to step into his authority as the Son of God and bring a Message of love and redemption to Earth. Same. as. you.

Christ, formed in you. 

Jump to Galatians 4. Paul is talking about heirs, sons, inheritance, and how Christ can be formed in us. Christ = 42nd Generation = Us. 

Therefore, we can also be the 42nd Generation. The generation that accepts our inheritance. The generation that accepts our son-ship as "joint-heirs" to bring redemption to broken lives, light to dark places, and life to dead things. 

All the power, all of the authority, all of the inheritance of the Kingdom of God is ours through Christ and his sacrifice and defeat of sin and evil. That is the essence of the 42nd Generation. 
Easy, right?