Author: kezha1

Today we’ll look at the Genealogy of Jesus as it’s listed in Matthew 1:1-16. In particular, we are going to focus on the four women (minus Mary) who were part of the lineage of Christ. For one thing, it was unheard of in those times to include women in this listing…but especially because of their scandalous backgrounds. However, it also goes to show God’s Sovereign Will, grace & mercy regardless of our past. First listed is Tamar, a Canaanite woman and daughter-in-law of Judah who deceptively disguising herself as a prostitute to secure her rights and become the mother of Judah’s twin sons, Zeran and Perez. Next is Rahab, a harlot of Jericho who saved the lives of Joshua’s spies by hiding them, giving them military information, and helping them to escape the city. Then we see Ruth listed, a woman from the heathen land of Moab who faithfully followed her mother-in-law, Naomi, to Bethlehem where she caught the eye of Boaz who became her kinsman-redeemer. Finally, we see Bathsheba who was embroiled in an adulterous affair with king David, culminating with the planned murder of her husband on the battlefield. All four women would have been relegated to an unimportant position in society…but yet God chose to use them in the big picture of Jesus coming to earth as a baby.

Over the next week leading up to Christmas, we’re going to be looking at the seemingly unimportant people in the world’s eye, that were pivotal in the story of the Nativity. Dr. Charles Stanley once wrote, “What appears to be unimportant may have eternal significance.” And yes, while we are unworthy servants in God’s eyes…His plan & purpose unconcerned about the details here on earth, for they are incapable of affecting the essential blessedness of God. Our existence as a Follower of Jesus may have eternal significance beyond anything we can imagine. So, while many of us may feel marginalized, small, and even worthless…in the eternal scheme of things, our life is very important in God’s eyes.

Both Josiah’s father & grandfather ruled as wicked kings, but it tells us that young Josiah “did right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in the ways of David his father.” So, when during repairs to the Temple the high priest Hilkiah found the lost Book of the Law (probably the Pentateuch) he gave it to Shaphan, who in turn presented it to king Josiah… reading it out loud to him. Josiah then accepted the Book of the Law as God’s Word and used it as a guide for reform, repentance, and revival of the nation. In II Kings 23:3 we read that, “King Josiah stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord – to follow the Lord and keep His commands, regulations and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this Book.”

As we thank God for His steadfast love, we should remember these things: Trust in God’s timing. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Everything God does is always appropriate and fitting at just the right time. Rely on His promises. (Joshua 21:45) All of His promises have been or will be fulfilled…and we can be assured of this fact. Wait for His answers. (Psalm 37:7) We are to patiently wait on the Lord for answers, walking by faith & not by sight. Rejoice in His goodness. (Natham 1:7) We are to offer up a thank offering, for God is good all the time. Finally, we are to rest in His Presence. (I John 3:19) And set our hearts at peace as we dwell in His fellowship.

Just because you’re a Christian doesn’t mean you’re immune to adversity or troubles…it’s just how we approach these things that makes the difference. First, we need to ask for Godly wisdom (James 1:5) and discernment. Secondly, ask for Godly insight to see clearly into the situation we’re faced with. In the Parable Jesus taught in Matthew 13:13 He spoke about the human inability to understand or see through God’s eyes, the “Seeing but yet not perceiving” like God can. Finally, we need to ask for Godly perspective…a seeking of His viewpoint into the true importance of said problem in the eternal scheme of things. For as Isaiah 55:8 tells us, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord.”

The Lord’s unspeakable love and tender mercies for Israel was the grounds of His election of them. (Deuteronomy 7:6-7) This everlasting character of the old covenant was first affirmed to Abraham in Genesis 17:7 and here in Jeremiah 31:3 is a sign of the reestablishment of the broken covenant talked about in Jeremiah 9:24, “But let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, Who exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight, declares the Lord.” But with the shed blood of Jesus on the Cross, the new covenant was established…a covenant of grace, redemption, and the promised hope of eternal life.

We all commit sins daily that we think we can hide from everyone…things like envy, hatred, and lust float in and out of our minds & hearts without a moment’s thought. But before God there are no secret sins, for He knows the secrets of the heart. (Psalm 44:21) Or as Hebrews 4:13 reminds us, “Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account.” But we still want to believe God can’t see our shameful ways, though this only goes to show the deceitfulness of sin itself…blinding us to the truth. The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 5:12-13, wrote that what the disobedient do in secret will be exposed to the light…the light of God that has no darkness and sees all.

The bottom line is this…we can’t change people. Nor can we “fix” them as much as we would like to. Neither can we make appropriate choices for them or rescue them from the wrong choices they do make… and all the unfortunate circumstances that follow. God judges each of us for our own sins. (Numbers 15:31) So what can we do? We can pray for them. We can remind them that we’ll be there for them so that they won’t be journeying alone…even lending them our roadmap (The Bible), but that ultimately, the trip is theirs.

What is the Gospel Message anyway? The Gospel Message is not an angry God hatefully yelling at you, “Turn to Me or I will send you to hell!” Rather, the Gospel Message is a loving and merciful God whispering, “You’re already on your way to hell, turn to Me and I will save you & give you eternal life.” The Gospel Message is the Good News that we can be saved and forgiven from our rebellion against the God Who created us if we will trust in the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ…and accept His gift of eternal & enduring faith anchored in hope.

King Herod was in an adulterous relationship with Herodias, against which John the Baptist had vehemently preached against, (Mark 6: 18, with reference back to Leviticus 18:16,20) So when Herodias saw the chance to silence John’s constant condemnation, she took it by forcing her daughter to make a horribly macabre request. For even though King Herod feared John as a righteous and holy man, his boastful & rash promises to this young girl sadly became John’s death sentence. John refused to stop or back down from preaching the truth…rather choosing to count the cost…for which inevitably caused his demise. Very few of us will ever have to face the same situation as John the Baptist did…counting the cost for Truth & Christ even unto death…but we still must be willing to take a stand for what is right & true.