Matthew 1
His Grace
I was reading and studying Matthew 1 and discovered the profound significance of why Matthew listed Jesus's genealogy. Initially, I thought it was just a narrative, but I realized it reveals His grace upon us.
When you study it, you will find that all the men and women mentioned in that genealogy were far from perfect; many had committed grievous sins. For instance, Solomon came from Bathsheba, who was originally Uriah's wife, and David orchestrated Uriah's death to take her. The lesson here is not about their actions or qualifications to be included in Jesus's genealogy; it is all about grace.
Matthew 1:21 says, "You will call him Jesus because He will save his people from their sins." It's not because they were perfect, righteous, or holy. It's God's grace!!
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 says, "26 Think about the circumstances of your call, brothers and sisters. Not many were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were born to a privileged position. 27 But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong. 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, what is regarded as nothing, to set aside what is regarded as something, 29 so that no one can boast in his presence."
We are nothing! Nothing!!
The gospel is all about this. Verses 29-30 state, "It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God, that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption."
So, it is by His grace that we have been chosen.
I didn't take it seriously when, at the end of church services, the pastor or someone would ask us to accept Jesus as our Savior. It seemed too simple to be significant. But remember, just because it looks simple doesn't mean it is cheap. Imagine going to a mobile shop to buy the latest phone. When the provider tells you it costs $1200, you prepare to pay, but then he says you can take it for free. As humans, we might think it's a fake phone because no one gives away something so valuable for free after naming a price!
In Matthew 1, this is the story. It starts with Jesus's lineage, showing flawed humans who made mistakes, yet Jesus came to this world to cleanse it all. It was free for us because we did nothing to earn this privilege. Acceptance into His kingdom is entirely by God's grace, which is Jesus. That's why it says, "Therefore, as it is written: 'Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.'" (1 Corinthians 1:30-31)
So please live by that truth. You did nothing! It is God's grace, which is Jesus. He sees Jesus in us! Live as someone who received this life as a gift and protect it well. Don't take it lightly; it is far more serious than anything! It is life! Let's make it a lifestyle to reflect His Son through us every day. His Grace saved us all!
Let's open our hearts and minds to know Him well and show Him to others!