Descended From...

Studying: Isaiah 66, Matthew 1-2
Memorizing: Romans 2:1-4
Thoughts: Good

Call me strange but I like the genealogies in Scripture. Yes, I know that a long list of hard-to-pronounce names isn't the most exciting thing to read in the world, but remember it is God's Word. But in particular I like Matthew's Genealogy. What a way to present the Messiah to an audience than through showing that Jesus had a real, legal right to the throne of David. But what also amazes me is that the Bible doesn't hide anything when it comes to tracing back Jesus' ancestry. I mean, take this genealogy for a moment, it's filled with less-than-admirable people? There are cheaters, liars, former prostitutes, adulterers, murderers, evil kings, etc. Let's face it, if I was going to invent a story to convince people throughout the ages that some man was God this is not how I would begin.

But that's what's amazing, and what I think even adds to the arguments of the Bible's truth and validity. No one in their right mind would make up something like this. The ancestry of Christ is shown, warts and all. What a mystery that Christ was born perfect in the midst of all this mess. Something supernatural has taken place.

But also, I think it highlights another very basic point; the gospel is for sinners. It is not for those who have cleaned up their lives already. It is not for those who live perfectly. The gospel is for cheaters, liars, prostitutes, adulterers, murderers, etc. It is for people like you and like me.