The Grace of Christmas

Matthew 1:1-17Th coming of the Son of God to this world marked a new beginning for humanity and fulfillment of the redemptive promises of God. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23-25). We are also told that the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. (Romans 6:23). God so loved the world that He sent His begotten son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send His son to condemn the world John 3:16-17. The genealogical tree of Jesus revealed a combination of persons of different characters, personalities, and ethnic background. God demonstrated His love, grace, and faithfulness by working through human flaws to fulfill His redemptive purposes. God wants to work through you despite your weakness to advance His will. The birth of Christ is a new beginning for humanity Jesus is the Son of David: David was the respected conquering king of Israel. The word ‘son of David’ describes a promised personality who will perpetuate David’s dynasty, thereby pointing to the Messiah 2 Sam 7:11-16Jesus is the Son of Abraham: The reference ‘son of Abraham’ refers to God’s promise to Abraham to use his descendants as a blessing to all the nations of the world. So this reference holds the light of hope to the world Gen 12:1-3, 22:18The inclusion of five women in Jesus’ genealogy:TAMAR: the daughter-in-law of Judah who disguised and slept with her father-in-law Gen 38:13-18, was abused by men and of questionable characterRAHAB: a Canaanite woman, of questionable character and a prostitute, Joshua 2:1-2, however, she was Biblical heroine when she preserved two men sent by Joshua to spike the promised land, Joshua 6:22-23RUTH: a gentile (Moabite) forbidding from entering the assembling of God’s people, Deuteronomy 23:3-8BATHSHEBA: An adulterous relationship with king David, 2 Sam 11MARY: Became pregnant without being married, In this list, included sinners as well as righteous people.REMARK: The presence of women in the genealogy of Jesus Christ represent part of God’s plan to restore the value and dignity of women in the culture. It also tells us that God offers salvation to all, including men and women, for “He came to seek and save that which was lost” Luke 19:10The Faithfulness of GodThe character of the persons in Jesus’ genealogy were insightful and intriguing: ordinary people with all of human shortcomings as well as potentials. However, God worked through such common people to bring about the divine plan of salvation.-in Jesus’ linage, we find adulteress, prostitute, heroes, villains, and gentiles. There were wicked kings (Rehoboam) who gave birth to either wicked successors like (Abijah) who however gave birth to a good king like (Asa). God allowed Matthew to put down the list of all kinds of people, not for us to focus on their shortcomings but to see the faithfulness, mercy, grace, and love of God. The coming of the Messiah was preserved even through the Gentiles when Israel was not faithful. Judah confessed that Tamar was more righteous than him. Rahab was more courageous than the desert generations of Israel who were faithless. Ruth proved to be more faithful than unfaithful Israelites were to God. Uriah demonstrated gallantry and courage compared to David’s sinfulness and adultery.