- Key Verse
- Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah.
All those listed above include fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the Babylonian exile, and fourteen from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah. (Matthew 1:16-17, NLT) 
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Central Truth
God's promises, purposes, and plans always prevail!
Reflections
The opening verses of Matthew are about as exciting to the modern Western reader as the genealogies of Numbers. Unlike the reader of an Eastern mindset, we have little appreciation for the rich meanings linked to one's family history. The 1st century Jewish reader would view this list with great interest. They would have immediately noted the links to Abraham, David, and the Babylonian captivity. They would have also found it unusual to see four women listed, especially some with questionable pasts.As their eyes would land on the end of this list there would be an obvious, glaring question: Who was Jesus' father and why was he omitted?
Like a great novelist, Matthew was drawing in his readers so that he could reveal the One who fulfilled the promise that was partially linked to human DNA but was unlike anyone before or after him. This Son was conceived by the Holy Spirit. This Son's Father had no skeletons in His closet. God was intervening on behalf of His creation. Human failures could now be defeated by grace.
Entering this New Year many people will try to forget their past and move forward with a clean slate. But like every other January 1, changing a year cannot change a future. The only way to change your future is to recognize God's faithfulness in your past and to allow the Holy Spirit to intervene on your behalf. God's promises, purposes, and plans for your life will prevail when your human DNA is transformed by our heavenly Father's DNA through Jesus Christ.
As we honor our "Unlisted Father," 2012 will be a year of blessing!
Discussion Questions
1. Why is the Bible so transparent about the failings of its heroes?2. What are some of the ways God has been faithful in my family's history?
3. If God would intervene in just one area of my life this year, what would I desire Him to change?
Comments
The views expressed under “Comments” are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Trinity Assembly.
Paula Richards
January 2, 2012 07:49 AM
1. I think God was transparent about the Bible character failings because He wants us to know we will fail at times and how to get victory--by not giving up and looking for a way to get our character perfected. There are no perfect people just some who think they are. 2. I can't speak for my whole family cause they thought when I got saved it would only last 6 months and here I am 34 years later with a strong desire to follow God. I love His Word, build my life around it. Build my relationships on His Word. I check with Word for my guidance and wisdom on all subjects. God has kept me, provided for me and been a present help in times of trouble as well as in the good times. 3. My legs. They hurt all the time. It is becoming hard to walk. But he healed the cancer this year and heart so the legs are next.