Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.
If you’re tempted to gloss through the opening two chapters of Matthew, don’t! Woven throughout the long list of names and familiar lines from the “Christmas Story” are life-changing truths about 1) God’s faithfulness to His promises. 2) His mercy and grace are available to ALL through Jesus. 3) His sovereignty. God can use any person or circumstance to accomplish His plans - past, present, and future.
Every name intentionally listed in the genealogy of Jesus bears powerful evidence of God’s faithful love for all people across all time. God delights in using unlikely, ordinary, and imperfect people for His extraordinary purposes on this earth. Matthew’s account includes Abraham and David (with whom God made covenant promises fulfilled in Jesus). And the names listed between and after those include many other imperfect men! Also included are the names of five women, four of whom Biblical experts believe were all Gentile women (Rahab, Ruth, Tamar, and Uriah’s Wife; Bathsheba ). The audacity to include women, especially those not of Jewish ethnicity (and three with complicated sexual stories), was outright scandalous. Yet, each of their stories was deliberately woven into the story of Jesus. Their names point to The Name. Each one is proof of God’s power and compassion.
These two chapters remind us that whatever the heart or plans of man, God’s plans are never prevented and His love never fails. Abraham’s faith, David’s heart, Ruth’s loyalty, Rehab’s courage, Joseph’s obedience, Mary’s willingness, the Wise Men’s searching — even Manasseh’s idolatry and Herod’s cruelty were ultimately used by God to bring salvation through Jesus to all the world.
I wonder if the familiar names of men and women in his own family tree and those in Mary’s family tree ever came to Joseph’s mind — people who’d trusted God in uncertain times, people God used despite their plans or circumstances. I wonder if in a quiet moment, he thought to himself, “Well, God used them; Why not me? Why not us?” This is the same question I submit to you (and to myself!)!
How might remembering God’s faithfulness and His willingness to use ordinary, imperfect people embolden your faith today? And, how might seeing your name or hearing stories from your life embolden your children or grandchildren or great-grandchildren to more deeply know, love, and follow Jesus someday?
Prayer: Father, thank You for using ordinary, imperfect people to accomplish extraordinary things. Give me courage and a willing heart to follow after you! Use my life for Your glory, for the good of those around me, and for those who come after me.
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.
Reflection:
- Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
- SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
- OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises?
- APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you?
- PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.
The Way of Jesus: 7 Marks of Discipleship
As we begin a new series, we encourage you to lean into the 7 Marks of Discipleship each week. The 7 Marks of Discipleship provide a simple tool to help us identify areas where we are thriving in our calling and where we can grow. Check here each week for a new 7 Marks Challenge that will encourage you to follow Jesus closer every day.
