The Bible is truly about Jesus Christ. His own family history and lineage is given to us in chapter 1 of Matthew's Gospel.
He came through the line of King David, going all the way back to Abraham.
Then from Abraham moving forward in time, the people in Jesus's earthly family line are listed.
This listing goes on for about 16 or so verses.
It ends with Joseph who was the husband of Mary.
Jesus came from Mary, but not by the normal natural means.
No, she was a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus.
After Jesus's birth, Joseph and Mary had other children, who were in essence the half siblings of jesus.
A couple of quick thoughts at this point.
God used imperfect people to bring about the line of Jesus's family leading up to Joseph.
Abraham, while the father of our faith, had some of his own personal issues and problems.
He lied two different times, and the result was that it endangered his wife Sarah's well being.
But, the Lord got it worked out, and God's plan moved forward.
Tamar who is mentioned in verse 3, was at one time, be it for a short time, a prostitute. Her profession is not being affirmed as good, but simply stated that she was. And, that she was part of the line that led up to Jesus Christ.
King David, while a man after God's heart, had an extra marital affair, and actually murdered the husband of the woman involved, her name was Bathsheba. Thus, another spiritual and moral blip in this line of family members.
Manasseh, was one of the worst kings ever. Yet, he was also in the family line.
Perhaps a lesson through him, is that even at the worst and darkest of times, God is still at work, carrying out His plans and purposes.
There are others in this list as well. And, then if you were look at the list given in another gospel that traces Mary's line, you would find the same thing.
Point...........No one is perfect, except God.
Man's imperfections are indeed something man is responsible.
God is not encouraging us to live that way.
Yet, God is not bound by our sins, and our mistakes etc.
He is going to carry out His plan, by His own power and wisdom.
So, in the darkest of times, take comfort and courage, because God is still at work.
A few more thoughts from the rest of the chapter.
The birth of Christ was indeed a miracle itself. She became pregnant through a working of the Holy Spirit in her womb. Unexplainable, to our minds, yet, nothing hard for God. God creates, and He created in Mary a child.
Things could have gone very wrong right from the time that Joseph realized she was pregnant.
But, God worked this problem out also. Directing Joseph as recorded for us in the chapter.
Not to be overlooked, Joseph was a person of great and Godly character.
And on a practical level, God sent an angel to direct Joseph at a very critical moment in this entire story.
The tail end of the angels message tells us the main truth of the Bible and the main truth about Jesus Christ, and why He was born into this world of ours. "He will save His people from their sins"
Saved from sins, is something needed, lest a person leaves this world without God's forgiveness in their lives. So, no mistaking here. This is the primary thing. This is why Jesus came. It was to save, to rescue man. To change the eternal course of man's future and of his present life while here on earth.
The mission of Christ, was not an afterthought by God. It had been planned out as mentioned in the book of Isaiah and other places in the OT.
Another aspect of Christ's birth that so wonderful, is that His name is also Immanuel, which means that God is with us. He is in fact, with every person who has opened their heart to Him for forgiveness of sins.
Last little thought. Joseph "did as the angel of the Lord commanded him etc, "
He is an example to all of us, to follow the direction of the Lord in our lives, especially during critical times. Crisis, often become stepping stones in the future plan of God for our lives. It was so with Joseph for the next 3 decades or so .
Many blessings to you this Christmas season
Pastor Bob Grenier
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