Jesus and His family tree

The Christmas story is filled with love, grace, mercy, and redemption. This can be seen by reading  the genealogy found Matthew chapter one. Granted Jesus does not have a earthly biological father. That is made clear in Matthew 1:16 which reads, "Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Christ." (ESV) Notice it does not say that Joseph is Jesus father but "Joseph the husband of Mary!" This is clear in Scripture. Jesus was born of a virgin through the Holy Spirit.

However, Matthew traces the history of Jesus' heritage through His earthly father Joseph. What is interesting is four women are included in the genealogy of Jesus. Including women in a genealogy was unusual for that time in history. Yet, Gods word included them. The women are Tamar (verse 3), Rahab (verse 5), Ruth (verse 5), and the wife of Uriah {who is Bathsheba} (verse 6). What is fascinating about this is Tamar was a liar, deceiver, and chose to dress up like a prostitute to have sex with her father-in-law. You can read her story in Genesis 38. This does make for a good children's Sunday School story! Rahab is not much better. She was a professional prostitute. Who knows how many men she slept with and many marriages she ruined. She would love Las Vegas. She also was a liar and a Gentile! Yet, through God's grace and mercy she is part of Jesus' family tree! For her story read Joshua chapter 2.

What I find most amazing is every person mentioned in Matthew 1: 1-17 has a story. Through the rebellion of Israel and the sins of murder (David and Bathsheba), prostitution, lie's, and plots of evil; came the earthly family of Jesus. This kicks in the face all legalism, good works, and self-righteousness. Jesus came to earth to die. He came to earth to, "save His people form their sins " (Matthew 1:21). Their is no person who is out of reach of God's grace. The Bible was written by adulterers (David), murderers (Moses and if you want to include Paul), and those who denied Christ  (Peter). Only through belief in Jesus, is forgiveness of our sins found. This should give us hope and cause us to be thankful for our own salvation! Because truthfully we are no better.

All who love Him, experience the peace that the Christmas story talk about. I encourage you to pray for your lost family, friends, and co-workers this Christmas. Pray that next Christmas they will experience their first Christmas as a worshiper of God.