In the Line of Jesus

Matthew 1:1, 5-6a (ESV)
 
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham…and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.
 
 
Reflection

There is something about genealogy that I find thrilling. Tracing family history back hundreds of years, intriguing. Genetics, fascinating. What isn’t exciting about discovering why you are the way you are by examining your family lineage?! Okay, maybe I don’t ALWAYS find it thrilling. Genealogy is all-inclusive, which means it includes the messiness of family members, too. You know, the ones that don’t align with who you are and can ruin the family reputation. They are not the representation that you want to be associated with your lineage because their actions and reputation somehow define you as well. But maybe that is what should be thrilling about genealogy. Everyone has a place and purpose in genealogy, even in imperfection. When you get the opportunity to dig a little deeper, sometimes you can find a redemptive story. Rahab’s story is just that, one of redemption, as she finds herself in the lineage of Jesus. In spite of her past as a prostitute, God called upon her to fulfill His promise to the Israelites. Her life choice of prostitution was never looked at again when she turned from her past. Her identity was changed.

Jesus was fully human. His divine entrance into the world by virgin birth doesn’t negate the fact that He would still have lineage beyond His mother. The lineage of Jesus was imperfectly perfect. It reveals the steadfast faithfulness of our loving God. We can see it throughout the extensive history recorded about the many people listed in the genealogy of Jesus. But there is great significance to each name mentioned. It’s necessary and significant to see Rahab specifically mentioned. The first time we hear of her, she is mentioned as ‘Rahab the Prostitute’, the next time is here, in the lineage of Jesus, mentioned only as Rahab, the mother of Boaz. Her past of prostitution was no longer important. The moment she stepped into God’s plan, her identity changed forever. God needed her to fulfill His plan of redemption for all mankind. Rahab isn’t just the mother of Boaz, she is the example to all of us that we don’t have to be perfect to be used by God. Imperfection given to God will change our identity and create perfection in His plan.


Action Steps
 

1. In what ways do you feel imperfect, which in turn makes you feel unqualified?
2. Take a moment to repent for any sin causing the imperfection, asking for forgiveness and receiving grace.
3. Open your heart to God to be used by Him and step into obedience to His calling.

Prayer
 
Jesus, it is easy to feel unqualified and unworthy when I only see what I can do. I give you my all, the imperfect messiness, and ask for grace, wisdom, and vision for what You can do in my life. Amen.