The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. (Mat 1:1-2, 5-6, 11-12, 16-17)
We now move back to the New Testament, which reveals the Old, in the person of Jesus Christ. Here we have His genealogy and lineage of the kings and rulers of Judah. Jesus Christ, the God-Man, was born after the flesh, of the line of Abraham, David, and the kings of Judah. Matthew's account of our Lord's time on this earth, documents the Kingdom and the King, so here we have the birthright of the King of the Jews.
In the midst of this account, three interesting names are revealed. Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba (The wife of Uriah) are included, despite their own genealogies and histories. Rahab was a harlot who believed GOD and protected the spies at Jericho. Ruth was a Moabitess, who rejected the gods of Moab and believed GOD. Bathsheba was involved in an adulterous relationship with David. And yet, all three, because of their faith in the One true GOD and the forgiveness and reconciliation that comes from faith in the Messiah, Jesus Christ, are included, and specifically mentioned, in this account.
We are all sinners as these were, even the kings, and in need of a Saviour. Those of us who have believed on Him and received His grace by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, are born again, not to sin again, but to walk in His righteousness. Raised to live in Him, and He in us, we are to do His work, for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do His will and accomplish His work until He takes us Home.
We are His ambassadors, to minister to the hurting and those in need. We are a new creature in Christ, encouraged and equipped by one another in love and through His Word as His disciples. We are the saints of GOD, a royal priesthood, a Holy Nation, a peculiar people called to show forth the praises of Jesus Christ who has called us out of the darkness of our sIn, and into His marvellous light. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel to all who will hear, and believe, that in believing they might have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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