Redemption in a Genealogy

I don't really care for reading the genealogies in scripture. I suppose history "buffs" might get a kick out of it, but not me. I mean, really, should I care who begot whom? I know there is a reason to include genealogies, so I am not questioning why God would include them in scripture. I am just saying that I don't care for reading them.

However, in our small group last night, I realized something about a genealogy that I had never realized before. Matthew 1:1-6 says, "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king."

Check out the portion that is in bold. David's great-great grandmother was Rahab - prostitute! And of course, Jesus was a legal descendant of David through his adoptive father, Joseph. Why did Matthew point this out? He could have continued the pattern saying, "Salmon begot Boaz, Boaz begot Obed," etc. The first introduction we have to Rahab in scripture is the account of her hiding the Hebrew spies found in Joshua 2:1-7. It is there that we first learn she was a prostitute.

As I reflect on this account and her inclusion in the genealogy of Christ, I can't help but realize that perhaps God is trying to point out his redemptive nature, even in something as seemingly "meaningless" as a genealogy. (And, no, I don't think the genealogies are meaningless! There obviously are some great truths to be find with a little background knowledge!)

Christ's legal ancestors were not always upright citizens. Look at some of the others. Tamar, who deceived her father-in-law, Judah, into thinking she was a harlot, gave birth to his twins. David had Solomon by his wife Bathsheba, the woman with whom he committed adultery. Rehoboam was a wicked and ruthless king who condoned idol worship. The list could go on.

Christ came to "seek and to save" those who are lost. He came to redeem all mankind to Himself...including you and me. It doesn't matter what is in our past...whether we were a prostitute, an adulterer, an idolater, or someone who for the most part has believed in God their whole lives and lived a morally upright life (such as David's father Jesse). We all stand in need of redemption. Isaiah 59:2 says, " But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear." So, like Rahab, we all were separated from God because of our sin. But here is the key: "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace..." (Ephesians 1:7). Through the incarnation of Christ and His subsequent death and resurrection, we can experience His redemption!

This Christmas, even if for a few moments, read through the Matthew 1 genealogy of Jesus. When you do, think about Rahab and the other characters who many of us wouldn't think should "belong" in the genealogy of Christ. Remember this: redemption is found in that genealogy!

Are You Crazy?

I thought I would pass along something that came to me through e-mail. I thought it was on target, and a little humorous, so...here it is:

To the Congress:

The U.S.. Postal Service was established in 1775 - you have had 234 years to get it right; it is broke.

Social Security was established in 1935 - you have had 74 years to get it right; it is broke.

Fannie Mae was established in 1938 - you have had 71 years to get it right; it is broke.

The "War on Poverty" started in 1964 - you have had 45 years to get it right; $1 trillion of our money is confiscated each year and transferred to "the poor"; it hasn't worked and our entire country is broke.

Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965 - you've had 44 years to get it right; they are broke.

Freddie Mac was established in 1970 - you have had 39 years to get it right; it is broke.

Trillions of dollars were spent in the massive political payoffs called TARP, the "Stimulus", the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009... none show any signs of working, although ACORN appears to have found a new source: the American taxpayer.

And finally, to set a new record:

"Cash for Clunkers" was established in 2009 and went broke in 2009! It took cars (that were the best some people could afford) and replaced them with high-priced and less-affordable cars, mostly Japanese. A good percentage of the profits went out of the country. And the American taxpayers take the hit for Congress' generosity in burning three billion more of our dollars on failed experiments.

So with a perfect 100% failure rate and a record that proves that "services" you shove down our throats are failing faster and faster, you want Americans to believe you can be trusted with a government-run health care system?

20% of our entire economy?

With all due respect,

Are you crazy?

Lukewarm?

Ok...so I have just finished reading Francis' Chan's book: "Crazy Love." It's an incredible book by the way. There was one chapter in particular that kicked my butt. It was chapter on lukewarmness...is that a word? :) Here are a few excerpts about lukewarm people.

- Lukewarm people give money to charity and to the church...as long as it doesn't impinge on their standard of living. If they have a little extra and it is easy and safe to give, they do so. After all, God loves a cheerful giver, right?
- Lukewarm people are moved by stories about people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act. They assume such action is for "extreme" Christians, not average ones. Lukewarm people call "radical" what Jesus expected of all His followers.
- Lukewarm people rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, or friends. They do not want to be rejected, nor do they want to make people uncomfortable by talking about private issues like religion.
- Lukewarm people will serve God and others, but there are limits to how far they will go or how much time, money and energy they are willing to give.
- Lukewarm people think about life on earth much more often than eternity in heaven. Daily life is mostly focused on today's to-do list, this weeks schedule, and next month's vacation. Rarely, if ever, do they intently consider the life to come.
- Lukewarm people are continually concerned with playing it safe; they are slaves to the god of control. This focus on safe living keeps them from sacrificing and risking for God.
- Lukewarm people do not live by faith; their lives are structured so they never have to. They don't have to trust God if something unexpected happens--they have their savings account. They don't need God to help them--they have their retirement plan in place. They don't genuinely seek out what life God would have them live--they have life figured and mapped out. They don't depend on God on a daily basis--their refrigerators are full and, for the most part, they are in good health. The truth is, their lives wouldn't look much different if they suddenly stopped believing in God.

There were many other statements regarding lukewarm people, all of which were followed by supporting scripture. So, what are your thoughts? Do you think these are accurate descriptions of people who are lukewarm?

I was convicted after reading the book, especially this chapter. I believe I had become lukewarm in many ways. My prayer is that God would "light a fire in my soul." As the song says, "Light a fire in my soul. Fan the flame. Make me whole. Lord you know where I've been, so light a fire in my soul again."

New to the Blogging Scene

Have you ever been hesitant to try something new? Perhaps that describes the way I feel right now. I like to write occasionally, but do I want to write where the whole world can see? Wait...that's a little presumptuous, as I have no followers of my blog yet. But, hey, it's a possibility. I have learned it is best not to make promises regarding the frequency of my posts. Let me just say from time to time I will post some thoughts. If you care to "chit chat" with me, then join the conversation. If nothing else, this will be a good mental exercise for me. Until next time......