Matthew 1
By Pastor Libby
Where Have You Come From?
Have you ever traced your genealogy? I haven’t, but recently my curiosity was piqued concerning my Great Grandfather on my mother’s side. I had heard stories of him from childhood. He was called “The Roamin’ Man of the Smoky Mountains.” Legends grew about him as he hiked Henry Ford and others through the Tennessee Mountains as a guide and naturalist. I was delighted when I Googled Wiley Oakley and came up with old recordings of his voice, historical narratives, and pictures of him, all on the internet….imagine!
Here in the beginnings of the Book of Matthew we are introduced to the earthly family of Jesus, those who had gone before him. As I look at the names, that are included, I see mistakes made and forgiven. I see kindness received and passed down through generations. I see a way for us all, men, women, Gentiles, and Jews, to claim their heritage in Christ.
I never knew my Great Grandfather; my ties to him are tenuous as he died before I was born. Stories I hear from my mother are brief as at an early age she herself lost strong connections with the Oakleys. Her father divorced her mother and he then completely and terribly walked out of his daughter’s life, leaving my mother without paternal family support.
Despite the history of our families, despite sin and broken dreams that might dog us, a full and complete relationship can be found in the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. As I look back on the heritage of my mother and see in her the grace of God, despite familial rejection, I am given heart that all things are possible.
Rahab was a prostitute, Ruth was from a foreign land, and King David took another man’s life and wife, … but Jesus? Jesus “will save his people from their sins.” (v. 21) It doesn’t really matter where you have come from, it only matters where you are going and who you are going with. Today claim the heritage of Christ; ask him into your heart and life or renew your commitment to him, become a Child of God.
