Great Beginning

We have so many family pictures!  Way too many of them aren’t so flattering, and are best kept in a box in the back of the closet.  Among those most treasured and guarded are those taken by someone else and of people I never knew!

 

The Gospel of Matthew, first book of the New Testament, has a great beginning: the genealogy of Jesus.  I do acknowledge Chapter 1 is packed with difficult-to-pronounce names and is probably one of the least read chapters in the Bible. Nonetheless, it’s one of my favorites. How beautiful to read the Messiah’s family tree!  Verses 1-17 affirm Old Testament prophecy, detailing Jesus’ biological and Jewish ancestry.  Verses 18-25, however, make absolutely clear Jesus’ divine lineage: “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:18).  Be sure to see this: Matthew confirms that Jesus was Divinely conceived – like no other human – Jesus, the One and Only has such a [beautiful] genealogy!  I challenge and encourage you – be inspired to read Matthew 1 – yes, the names and all; read it slowly and attentively and see how amazing is the Savior’s lineage.  I just love where Matthew began his Gospel, and I can think of no better place to begin this Advent. Let the Season begin!