This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David,
the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram,
Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,
Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon,
whose mother had been Uriah’s wife…
Matthew 1:1-6
The family tree of Jesus included some colorful characters:
- Jacob swindled his brother out of his birthright.
- Judah slept with a woman he thought was a prostitute (who turned out to be his daughter-in-law posing as one).
- Tamar was that daughter-in-law who pretended to be a prostitute.
- Rahab actually was a prostitute.
- Ruth was a Moabite – a people who originated from an incestuous relationship between Lot and his eldest daughter.
- David, in spite of his royal pedigree, was an adulterer and a murderer.
And that’s only in the first six verses of the 17 devoted to the genealogy of Christ.
In spite of their sinful choices, God allowed each of these people—and many others—to be part of the bloodline of our Savior.
Just like Jesus, you and I will notice a few bad apples falling out when we shake our family tree (and we add our own blemishes, as well).
It’s truly amazing that God chooses imperfect people to further His perfect plan. History shows us that He delights in using the unworthy, unlikely, and unimaginable to accomplish His work.
If the characters were perfect, glory would go to them. But when He uses imperfect people, all glory goes to our all-powerful God. Only He can redeem all things, bringing beauty from ashes and life from death.
When we have an opportunity to serve—to speak, give, share, or love in His name—the enemy may whisper in our ear: It’s not enough. You’re not enough.
Sometimes the best way to silence an enemy is to agree with him: You’re right. It’s not enough. I’m not enough. But HE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH.
Perhaps we dwell far too much on ourselves, worrying about being good enough—the gift, the décor, the menu, the words we say and the things we do.
Let’s instead focus on the One who chooses to make it all enough: Jesus.
Christmas is all about Him … His birth. His coming. His humanity. His majesty. His sovereignty.
Just imagine what our families, neighborhoods, and community might look like if we allowed not only Christmas, but EVERY day, to be all about Jesus.
No matter what shame the world may cast on our name or our family, our identity is in Him. Let’s celebrate that fact.
I’m borrowing words from Paul, as I pray for you (and for myself):
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened
in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you,
the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.
Ephesians 1:18
Join us for the rest of December
as we read, write and study
the biblical account of Christ’s birth in
Write The Word: The Christmas Story.
Don’t miss the chance to download your own copy of
these free computer & smartphone wallpapers
… a lovely reminder that JESUS is our reason
for celebration this Christmas:
"Remember: it's all about Jesus" Computer Wallpaper
“Remember: it’s all about Jesus” Smartphone Wallpaper
