Mo, 02/23/15, "Day of Praise"
"A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ" - Matthew 1:1
You're in.
You got the job.
You have a place in the world.
And it's important.
There's no reason to reinvent the wheel in explaining what I mean. The Daily Bible says it really well. And succinctly to boot.
"Matthew's genealogy contains several happy surprises. Back in Jesus' early roots are not only such notable righteous men as Abraham and David, but also several who stand out in history as being particularly unrighteous, including wicked King Manasseh. Not only are there Jews, as would be expected, but also Gentiles, including a Canaanite and a Moabite, whose respective countrymen have been notorious enemies of God's people. Also somewhat surprising, in view of their social status at this time, is the listing of women as well as men. Furthermore, at least two of the women are known best for sins which they had committed." (The Daily Bible, 1984, Harvest House, commentary by F. LaGard Smith, p.1353)
See! You're in! Jesus' family includes righteous and wicked and Jews and Gentiles and friends of God's people and enemies of God's people and men and women and those with good reputation and those with bad. Surely you're in there somewhere. You're in Jesus' family and lineage.
So you've got the job! You get to tell the world about Jesus! After all, since the Holy Spirit has opened the way for you to know Jesus personally, to be over at his house all the time, and to eat a meal with him regularly, then telling others about Jesus is a piece of cake.
Oh! What did you say? You don't know Jesus as well as you should? You don't sit at the table of Holy Communion with him as often as you should? You don't go to his house of worship as much as you should?
Well, all isn't lost.
No, to the contrary, you share in the victory over death and the grave. Jesus won, so you won...if you believe. It's there for you to claim...in faith.
After all, you're in.
You got the job.
You have a place in the world.
We're in God's family together. Matthew, er, God, says so. Right there in the genealogy.
So let's get out there today and tell the world about Jesus!
And later then, I'll see ya at the house. God's house. Where I look forward to being next to ya at the table, the Lord's table. Where we'll grab a bite of supper, the Lord's Supper.
Isn't it great to be in the family together?
"A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ" - Matthew 1:1
You're in.
Praise God!
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