December 1, 2023
Topic: THE BIRTH OF JESUS: LESSON IN HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE –
The Genealogy of Jesus Christ
Text: Matthew 1: 1-17
Memory Verse: “So, all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations”. (Matthew 1:17 NKJV)
Over the next two weeks, we shall be reflecting on the birth of Jesus starting with the roles of individuals used by God in the process. Many times, when we read the Bible particularly the Old Testament, we tend to quickly read through some passages, books, and chapters. The genealogy and ancestry of Jesus recorded in Matthew Chapter 1 and Luke 3: 23-38 is one of such.
Historical recording of God’s plans over the ages from the creation of the world to the creation of man, to the plans for salvation and redemption of man, to the birth of His Son, our Lord and Savior. These records show that we are not here by accident!
Isaiah 46:8-11 tells us that thousands of years may pass, but we can be confident that God keeps his word. The genealogy of Christ spanned many generations and shows that God’s plans and salvation is for everyone; people we consider unholy or evil, some wicked kings and evil personalities are listed. God can use our human weaknesses and circumstances to fulfill His purpose. Jesus, God in the flesh was willing to go down to our level just to save us from our sins. He came down as a baby stripped himself of His divinity.
For us, a careful study of our ancestry or family backgrounds may reveal to us the reasons for our present life situations, our health conditions, behavioral patterns and things we need to do to improve or change our life’s trajectory.
Consider this:
Do we know our family history and background? How much was shared with us by our ancestors and elders and how much of it are we sharing with our children and the future generation? Will a documentation of my life, that of my family, my ancestry reveal a lineage that ends in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour? If not, what are we doing to make that happen?
Prayer: O Lord help me to examine my life, my present and my past and take steps to direct the focus. Search me, God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. Ps 139: 23-24