Have you ever taken the time to read through Matthew 1:1-17? It can be a bit tedious going through the list of names that traces the family tree from Abraham to Jesus but if you haven’t really read through it, take a few minutes and do so.
This list is Jesus’ genealogy.
The list in Matthew contains names that are both as unfamiliar to us such as Zadok to those that are quite familiar such as Solomon. But if you pick out some of the names and go back and read about them in the Bible, we can find out some interesting things about the people in Jesus’ lineage.
There were people who stole family fortunes from their own brothers (Jacob). There are people who committed murder (David). There were people who turned away from God (Rehoboam). There were those who, despite being blessed by God, disobeyed Him (Uzziah).
Jesus’ relatives included people that today might be making headline news and not for all of their good deeds.
What is the point of all of this?
To me this shows how God works all things together to fulfill an ultimate plan that he has. Through a long list of imperfect people, God worked to bring about perfection in the birth of His Son, Jesus.
There is good news in all of this for us today: God is working no differently through our lives.
Look at our families. Look at our heritage. Look at yourself in the mirror. I challenge anyone to find anything other than dysfunction and imperfection. But the good news is God still loves us and has a plan for us.
Do you think that a guy named Zerubbabel, who lived centuries ago, might have ever thought that someday he would become the great, great, great… uncle of the only perfect person ever born? A person who was the Son of God and who was sent by God to save mankind? I truly doubt it. But God used him to carry on a bloodline that would eventually lead to the birth of Jesus.
Zerabbabel had no idea of the part He was playing in helping to fulfill God’s ultimate plan.
What is Gods ultimate plan for you and me?
I don’t know. But that is okay. I do know that he is working in and through you and me to use us as a small piece of a beautiful tapestry that when he is done weaving will result in His ultimate perfection for everyone.
Matthew 1:1-17 may be a long list of uncommon names that might not seem to mean much to any of us but that is wrong. Mathew is our hope. Matthew 1:1-17 is the basis for our faith in God, His plan, and His ways.
Matthew unfolds God’s map from the past that proves to us that He knows where everything is going and the results of His plan will be glorious even though we might not see it ourselves at the time we are playing our part in His plan.
On this Christmas day rejoice in the birth of our savior Jesus Christ and rejoice in the knowledge given to us that perfection can and does come from imperfection like you and me.
Merry Christmas everyone!
the most Blessed of Holidays to every one
Thank you, this was Beautiful….. and, so much the truth… I guess I never really thought of it that way, thank you for making me think about this, hope you have a merry Christmas.
bEAUTIFUL. Gods Blessing to you an your family.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging message, truly a reason to celebrate. Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!
Thank you for the reminder! Merry Christmas from another imperfect dysfunctional although loved child of God!
Thank you for the beautiful message. This tells us to love our families, and understand they and we are imperfect, but God has a plan for each of us. Merry Christmas.
Blessings to you & yours Mr. Laydon.
THIS MESSAGE IS TIMELY. SOMETIMES WHEN THINGS DON’T SEEM TO BE MOVING AHEAD IN LOVED PEOPLES LIVES….WE WONDER WHEN WE ARE GONE… WHO WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THEM. ENCOURAGING WORDS THAT GOD IS WORKING IN ALL OUR LIVES TO PERFECT WHAT CONCERNS HIM THE MOST. THANK GOD FOR HIS GIFT “JESUS” TO US THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE. MAY YOU ALL HAVE THE JOY, PEACE AND THE GREATEST IN LOVE AT THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON AND IN THE NEW YEAR. LINDA
Merry Christmas Mr. Laydon!! And thank you for blessing me with inspiration each day thru God’s Word.
THIS WAS A BEAUTIFUL MESSAGE, THE WORDS WERE ENCOURAGING. N I THANK GOD FOR SHARING HIS SON JESUS WITH US, BE BLESSED N HAVE A PROSPERUS NEW YEAR!!!!!!
This is an awesome message and very much needed as we look toward the new year ahead. It gives hope. I’ve heard this message before but now was the time to hear it again. I am going to be with all of my family members at different times today and I need to focus on the finished work that God is going to do and not what my natural eyes see. Today, I will be looking with spiritual eyes. Everyone have a great Christmas!
Thank you for another great essage Elmer. I believe in my heart that God has a plan and he uses all of us to fullfill his plans. Merry Christmas to everyone and happy birthday Jesus!
God Bless you with Joy and Love today and always!
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas! This is truly amazing and very much needed information for those that don’t know. Very detailed! Thank God for using you in your calling. The Best Gift Ever!!
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
texas
As usual God’s timing is of perfection! I’m walking out of a past that is not one to be proud of but God still loves me and still blesses me with much favor and grace. Because He does this for me, it causes me to love those who are hard to love. I’m hard to love at times…I work on only judging myself and pleasing God and dysfunction is lessening in my life. Thank you God for your SAVING GRACE!!!
today is Christmas… Happy Birthday, Jesus !
i know what you are saying. jehovah is his name for god is all perfect he is my
everyday savoir. rejoice with everyone on this x-mas day for the son have been born. happy birthday jesus i love you thank you . have a happy holidays to all. remember always the name in which we trust jehovah.for he has sent me a message have faith and you to will be blessed.
Thank you Jesus! Perfection is for YOU alone….I await the day when no more tears will be shed, and the Son of Man returns!
Thank you! So nice to read. Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus!
I would like to thank you. May you and yours have a Blessed Christmas
Thank you so much I look forward to hearing from you every day,I loved the message today I have read this many times but still today it has a whole differnt meaning in many ways I had never thought of. Blessings to you and your family and a very Marry Christmas…. Happy Birthday Jesus!
I love this break down, Jesus is n will always be the reason for the season.
Family Christmas was wonderful. Several were missing but they were there is spirit. Let us keep the spirit of Christmas with us every day. God Bless us all
God has given our family so many blessings this year. The ultimate gift of the Saviour reminds us that he is always with us…we never walk alone. I am trying to learn to “Let go….let God”….His way ultimately works so much better than all my plans! Have a blessed Christmas & keep the spirit in your hearts all year long!
What a truly great, tremendous and amazing God we serve. Thank you, Most Heavenly Father, for ALL you many gifts and blessings…including those we don’t recognize as such!
I am so bless and happy with this web.page”The Whisper of God” It has become part of my daily schedule.All the Glory belongs to God and only God.
Be bless today and forever. Amen!!!
Thank you for sharing this,sometimes I often wonder why God bothers with us.When we mess up all the time,I’m not perfect and have a hard time with those who seem to think they are.It’s nice to know that we as a people can come before Jesus Christ and ask for forgiveness.
So as I stumble along life’s way,I know Jesus walks beside to help me find my way.
Thanks and God bless%:>}
This is really good. I talked to the girls at the jail where I go have service on Thur. nights about this. When God showed me how interesting it actually is and began to deal with me on it, I just had to share, I mean the prostitute (Rahab) in his lineage and as you said a murdered and thief and all. But Jesus was and is “Perfect”. Praise his Holy Name! Thanks for doing this again. God bless you!
Thank your for this beautiful message and for sharing it with us…God is good all the time….I know He has always perfect plan for all of us….A blessed and prosperous New Year!!!!
I believe if one understands the linage of Christ, you will be able to understand the Bible more clearly. It will become clear to you why God did some of the things He did in the Old Testament in order to keep the linage of Christ pure. Thank you for your explanation. It is most appropriate for a Christmas message.