Matthew 1

ScriptureMatthew 1:3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (and Perez and Zerah’s mother was Tamar);Observation - What does it say?If I’m going to be honest, the first 17 verses of Matthew are ones I used to skip reading. What could I possibly glean from reading some names? I mean, the Holy Spirit is good, but could he really teach me something from a genealogy? The answer, I’ve found, is a resounding “Yes!”As part of Jesus’ family line, each one played a critical role in God’s plan for redeeming all of creation. But consider the people listed here. We know that no one is perfect, but one would assume that people with this kind of integral role would be relatively righteous compared to other people. But all throughout this list we find what appears to be the opposite. Here are a couple examples:

• Tamar was Judah’s widowed daughter-in-law. She dressed up like a prostitute and seduced her father-in-law, all so she could keep this family line alive.
• Rahab (verse 5) was a Canaanite prostitute.
• Solomon (verse 6) was the product of his father David’s adultery with Bathsheba.

Understanding - What does it mean?God chooses to use even the most broken people in incredibly significant ways!This gives me so much hope! All throughout scripture and history we see God reveal himself to people who don’t deserve it and move powerfully to accomplish his will through sinful men and women. The man who wrote the majority of the New Testament and who was one of the greatest missionaries the world has seen used to kill Christians!Yet, for some reason some of us feel that God couldn’t use us. We feel that our short-comings, imperfections and past are too difficult for God to redeem. If this passage teaches me anything, it’s that no one is too far gone for God to rescue and use for his glory. And, even our worst sins and failures can’t keep God from accomplishing his plans.Life ApplicationDon’t disqualify yourself! Trust God's power more than you trust your weakness; his ability more than your inability; the power of his Son's blood more than the power of your stains.If God can transform the lives of these sin-stained men and women and use them to change the world, why can’t he use me?! 

God, thank you that your arm isn’t too short to save. Thank you that the sacrifice of your Son was enough to forgive even me and all my sins. Thank you for saving us and also giving us significant purpose. May we live surrendered to you and be filled with faith that you can and will use us to change the world! Amen.

 

- Levi Thompson

 

To check out the discussion or to join in click here.