Scripture

“She will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Observation

Mary was engaged to Joseph. But before the marriage can take place Mary becomes pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Joseph decides to break the engagement, but an angel appears to him in a dream. The angel tells Joseph that he should take Mary as his wife. The baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Joseph is to name the baby Jesus, for He will save people from their sins.

Joseph does as the angel commanded. He takes Mary to be his wife and names the boy Jesus.

Application

It took quite some faith for Joseph to believe that Mary had not been unfaithful. The angel gave him a very strong and powerful message – the baby is the Messiah, and he will save people from their sins.

I wonder about the ridicule and scorn that Mary and Joseph faced. People then could count as they can count today. The neighbours knew that Jesus was conceived before the marriage. Rumours abounded about the boy’s parentage and about the parents’ virtue.

Mary and Joseph paid a big price for the privilege of being the parents of the Messiah.

Following Jesus always costs us. For some it is a social cost – loss of friends, and respect within the community. For others, there is a financial cost. Some even pay with their lives.

But Jesus is the one who saves us from our sins. Any worldly cost is worth paying for the sake of the kingdom.

Prayer

Jesus I acknowledge that you are the one who saves me. Thank you. Amen.

Scripture

All those listed above include fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the Babylonian exile, and fourteen from the Babylonian exile to the messiah.

Observation

Matthew starts he’s account of the life of Jesus with a genealogy, a list of ancestors of Jesus.

Jesus’ ancestry goes back to Abraham, the father of faith and of Israel. Jesus is the one who fulfils the promises given to Abraham.

Application

I am not very good at reading genealogies. Some people get very excited at the significance of these things, but I am not one of them.

There are some important things that stand out.

1. The lineage of Jesus goes right to Abraham. He is a true Israelite. All of the promises given to God’s people – to Israel – are given to Jesus.

2. There are some women in the list because God’s kingdom is not restricted to men alone.

3. There are some Gentiles in the list because God’s kingdom is open to all the nations.

4. Jesus comes from the line of King David. He is the true King of Israel. God promised David that one of his descendants would remain on the throne for ever. Jesus is that one who reigns forever.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for your amazing planning for the lineage of Jesus. Please help me to appreciate your plans for me. Amen