The Perfect Plan - Miracle of AdventSample

Perfectly Human - Finding Hope in the Lineage of Jesus

The very first verses of Matthew’s gospel immediately point to the lineage of Jesus. Within this genealogy are the names of righteous men, models of obedient faith, and even kings. But we also see ordinary people whose names are ultimately lost to history and known only to God.

We also read the names of several ordinary women who had extraordinary purposes to help advance God's kingdom here on Earth. Rahab was a Canaanite prostitute who was living in Jericho when Joshua’s Israelite spies covertly snuck into the city on a reconnaissance mission. Rahab protected and hid them. In exchange for her hospitality, the spies instructed her to tie a scarlet cord—the same color of the blood that would one day save all people—and hang it from her window while the city was under siege. Because of her obedience, she and her family were spared from death.

Tamar is also listed in the genealogy of Jesus. Her first two husbands, Er and Onan, were put to death by the Lord for their wickedness. Twice widowed, she posed as a prostitute and tricked her father-in-law, Judah, into sleeping with her to bear a son.

Then there is Ruth, a Moabite woman who was a widow and gave up her hometown and everything familiar to her in order to lend care to her mother-in-law.

And of course, we also read about Mary, the Mother of Jesus, a poor young girl from a small, relatively obscure town.

The hope found in the lineage of Jesus is that God cares about both men and women, rich and poor, prominence and obscurity, widows and orphans, foreigners, saints, and sinners. We all have a place in the story of God’s family, furthering his Kingdom work. Redemption is available for everyone.

This morning, we light the second candle on the advent wreath, often called the “Peace candle.” We are reminded of death, division, destruction, and dispersion, including the arduous journey Mary and Joseph made from Nazareth to Bethlehem. But we are also reminded that a Savior is soon coming who will bring peace and unity to the world. He can work through the lives of each of His people, including you and me, no matter our circumstances.