Family Tree

A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,

The son of David, the son of Abraham.

Matthew 1:1

I have spent the last 5 years doing a great deal of research on Ancestry.com, hoping to discover the identity of my birth parents.  The process is very slow and exacting.  I always say a silent “Thank you” to the individual who is meticulous in the construction of their family tree.  The more information that person includes, the easier my fact-finding journey. 

There are two different genealogies of Jesus in the Gospels, one in Matthew (1:2-16) and one in Luke (3:23-38).  They are somewhat different in the order of naming, but the biggest surprise is that Matthew’s listing includes women.  And not just any women!  Matthew chose four women whose names we automatically recognize – not because of their goodness, but because of their inappropriateness.  Two of them were foreigners (Rahab, Ruth) and two were pregnant from an immoral union (Tamar, Bathsheba). 

That Matthew would include them is astounding, but I’m so glad he did!  It reminds me that Jesus' earthly genealogy wound its way through a long line of outcasts and sinners.  Praise the Lord that He loves and accepts us all.

Summer Reading – New Testament

Tuesday, June 1  Matthew 1-3

Wednesday, June 2  Matthew 4-6

Thursday, June 3  Matthew 7-9

Friday, June 4  Matthew 10-12

Saturday, June 5  Matthew 13-15

Sunday, June 6  Matthew 16-18

Monday, June 7  Matthew 19-21