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SCRIPTURE
Matthew 1:1-17OBSERVATION
God has been faithful to His promise to Abraham that all the families of the earth shall be blessed. (Genesis 12:3)In today's reading, we can see very significant details and composition of Jesus' lineage. Though some may have even downplayed the importance of this verses, in this devotion, we will take a look at some of the characters forming part of God's genealogy.
APPLICATION
A. Jacob - Deceiver (Genesis 27:1-46); Family Wrecker (Genesis 28 and 29)B. Boaz; Mother 'Rahab' - Prostitute/Foreigner (Joshua 2 and 6:25)
C. Obed's Mother 'Ruth' - Foreigner (Ruth 4:18-20)
D. David - Adulterer (2 Samuel 11-12)
E. Solomon - Unfaithful to God (1 Kings 11:1-8)
F. Ahaz - Burned his son as an offering (2 Kings 16:3)
G. Manasseh - Murdered a lot of innocent people (2 Kings 21:16)
The lineage of Abraham consists of people just like us - humans of pure intent to commit evil since youth (Genesis 8:21). Yet, despite of these backgrounds, God is committed to bring His promises and plans to Abraham into reality.
As we could see, God didn't pick another man and made another promise to make a new breed of followers. He, until the end, is faithful to His first covenant. He remained faithful. He stayed true to His words.
We may have never appreciated this chapter, but we could see here that Jesus clearly assures us that He is in control. He associated Himself to these men not only because of God's promise to Abraham but also because of one thing: God's plan of Salvation for mankind. He desires all people to be saved (2 Tim 2:3-4)
Brethren, we don't deserve these - the opportunity to know God, the presence of God, His grace and love and mercy. Wherever you have been before coming to Christ; an adulterer, a murderer, a deceiver, unfaithful; may you be reminded of these imperfect and broken people whom God included to become a part of His Son's lineage.
Yes. God still hears us and cares for us and loves us though we tend to fake our worship to Him; or we have already stopped seeking Him and His words; or we have stopped loving Him.
We think that doing good for the greater cause for all will earn us points from God - NO.
Paul was very clear on what he said in Ephesians 2: 8-9 'For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.' Jesus wanted us to do the one thing - to remain faithful to our commitment to follow Him. We cannot please Him if we don't have a genuine faith.
God is challenging us right now in the midst of this pandemic. God is waking us up from our unfaithfulness, from our sleep, and from our laziness.
Our flesh is indeed weak but, we should let God's Spirit to take control of us. Peter and the apostles were cowards before, but when the Holy Spirit was poured unto them, they were changed radically.
Are you ready for God's radical change?
Are you willing to really change?
Photo by: Jaime Legaspino
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