It takes good and bad to truly know your family

The birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was not a happenstance. 

No, it was a carefully planned account from the beginning. Yes, at Creation, God instituted a plan that would see the entrance of His Son into the world.

Hence, as you look at the family line and legacy of Jesus, you must understand that those included in the family tree of Jesus are there on purpose and for a purpose. 

How interesting it is that in the very first book of the New Testament and indeed in the very first verses of this book of St Matthew, God clearly establishes those who are honourably mentioned as a part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ. 

It is not that each of them was indeed honourable. Oh no.  

In the family of Jesus, there were quite a few of those who many would have deemed unworthy to be connected with Jesus. 

Yet, God insists that you and I understand that all are welcome into the family of Jesus. 

There will be no excuse for a person to be left out of the family of God.

Matthew 1: 1-6

1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;

3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;

4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;

5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias.

Family

Let us take a look at a few of those mentioned that are a part of the family of God.

1. Judah –– A betrayer of his blood brother. Judah sold his brother Joseph into slavery for 20 pieces of silver. 

This Judah was a foreshadowing of the Judas who would sell Jesus into the hands of the enemy for thirty pieces of silver. In your family, there will be those who ”sell you out” and disappoint you to the highest level. Yet, they are family and even their lives can serve as an example to others of what not to do.

2. Rachab or Rahab –– A harlot. As a matter of fact, Rahab ran a prostitution ring. She encouraged and arranged for others to fornicate and commit adultery. 

Yet, God still chose to turn her life around. The “hooker” became a housewife. The prostitute became an “institute” as the grandfather of King David was ushered through her lineage. God took Rahab from a prostitution ring to wearing a wedding ring.

3. King David –– A murderer. King David arranged to have a husband killed because he lusted after the man’s wife. King David deserved death himself, but God allowed him to live.  

Not only that, but God also allowed David to live as king, in spite of his wrong because David did the right thing as he truly repented of his sin.

4. Asa and Joram. They were kings in the same family. Asa was a good king while Joram was an evil king. God wants you and me to understand that good and evil will run through our family, and His grace can be applied to the lives of all.

5. Joseph –– not the biological father of Jesus, but he was the lawful or legal father of Jesus. Joseph’s name means “he shall add.” 

That is just what Joseph, a real father did. He added a covering of protective care around Mary and Jesus. 

Blood cannot be the only thing that dictates whether you are the father you ought to be. Fatherhood must be measured by the care and covering you become in spite of the circumstances you experience.

What is this St Matthew really about? What is it saying to you?  What is it saying to the world? 

God wants you to know that you do not have to have a perfect start or a perfect middle, in order to be needed and welcomed into the family of Jesus. 

Jesus was born into a family of failures and successes. It takes the good and the bad of life to truly get to know your family. 

Your family will love you; do not allow your circumstances to change that.

If God determined that Jesus would be born into this family, then let it be known that you are most assuredly welcome to be a part of the family of God. 

That is what will make this Christmas a truly meaningful one. Merry Christmas! RESPICE FINEM.