The Jesus Bible Reading Planنموونە

AN UNLIKELY ANCESTOR OF JESUS

The story of Rahab serves as a glimmer of hope in the midst of the destruction of the pagan nations who inhabited the land God had promised to give his children. News of God’s might and power had long ago reached the nations, though they continued to harden their hearts in unbelief. As a result, God’s judgment was poured out on the people for their sin. At this point in redemptive history, that judgment was enacted primarily through God’s people, the nation of Israel, who were told to destroy these pagan nations.

Rahab proved to be an exception. Although a pagan and a prostitute, this woman had protected the Hebrew spies as they entered the land and, as a result, was given the promise of protection. Now that the people were finally laying claim to the land, the spies remained true to their promise and allowed Rahab and all of her family to escape the destruction that fell on the city.

Rahab stands in a long line of unlikely recipients of God’s mercy. Matthew, in his Gospel account, begins with a lengthy genealogy, which was meant to demonstrate to his Jewish audience that Jesus Christ was the long-awaited, promised descendant of Abraham and David. This genealogy is not what one might expect, however. Matthew did not simply list the fathers of the faith — such as Abraham or David. The list prominently included a wide assortment of unlikely or unheard of characters, such as Tamar, Bathsheba, Ahaz, Eliud, Mary and Rahab. Some of these are only mentioned briefly in the annals of Scripture; some are not mentioned at all. Others such as Bathsheba and Rahab are known for their sin. But there they are listed, called by name and linked to the coming of Jesus.

The ancestry of Jesus may be one of the greatest testaments to the grace of God recorded in all of the Scripture. Not only was Rahab spared from death, but she also was brought into the family of God and given a share of the inheritance promised to his people. Her story serves as a great encouragement to all subsequent generations of outcasts, no-names and sinners of all sorts. God’s grace extends to all types of people. In fact, the grace of God is seen most clearly when he saves and transforms those, like Rahab, who otherwise have no hope.

Jesus, thank you for allowing Rahab to play a role in your genealogy. Thank you for loving each of us, no matter who we are or what we’ve done. Help me to follow your example in loving others unconditionally. Amen.