Who is Called ChristÂ
Key Bible Passage:
…and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. (Matthew 1:16)
Reflect:
Some of us come from a troubled family background. Even if we come from a healthy home, weâre all familiar with unsavory, awkward, or downright embarrassing relatives. Many join the military as a means of escaping family drama or to straighten up. One now-successful E8 tells of standing at age 17 before a judge for repeated DUIs and being given the option of jail or military service. Times have changed!
Jesusâs lineage boasts some interesting characters, reminding us Godâs grace is based on Christâs merit, not ours.
The lineage of the Messiah had been foretold, so Matthew opened his story of Jesusâs life with a full ancestry list, from Abraham to his mother Mary. This genealogy is an index to some of the greatest stories in the Old Testament–stories of Godâs grace given to messed-up, broken, sinful people. Consider these examples from Jesusâs genealogy:
- David was a king of Israel and God promised that one of Davidâs descendants would be the Messiah. Yet for all his professional success, David failed as a husband and father. His son Solomon was born from an affair with Bathsheba, the wife of Davidâs faithful soldier Uriah. David then arranged Uriahâs murder on the front line so he could take Bathsheba as his own wife! Matthewâs genealogy never lets King David off the hook for that sin–Bathsheba is named as âthe wife of Uriah,â rather than as Davidâs wife (2 Samuel 11).
- Rahab was a former prostitute from another nation. She proved a loyal asset and married into Godâs people (Joshua 2-6).
- Ruth was a widow from a foreign nation. God redeemed her story (book of Ruth).
Respond:
- Consider writing out your genealogy and praying Godâs grace over each person.
