Grace and Redemption: The Unlikely Lineage of Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: The Unexpected Lineage of Grace

The genealogy in the Gospel of Matthew is more than a mere list of names; it is a profound testament to God's grace and redemption. By including individuals with questionable pasts, such as Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba, Matthew underscores that Jesus's story is one of inclusion and redemption for the unlikely and undeserving. This genealogy assures us that our past does not disqualify us from being part of Jesus's story. It is a reminder that God's grace is not limited by human standards or societal norms. Instead, it reaches out to all, inviting everyone into His family, regardless of their history or background. [02:22]

Matthew 1:5-6 (ESV): "and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah,"

Reflection: Consider your own family history or personal past. How does knowing that Jesus's lineage includes the unlikely and undeserving encourage you to embrace your own story as part of God's redemptive plan?

Day 2: Radical Grace Beyond Norms

The inclusion of women like Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth in Jesus's lineage highlights the radical grace of God. Each of these women had their own stories of brokenness and redemption, reminding us that God's grace transcends societal expectations and norms. This grace invites all into His family, regardless of their past or perceived unworthiness. It challenges us to see beyond the surface and recognize the potential for redemption in every story. God's grace is not bound by human limitations; it is a transformative force that welcomes all who are willing to accept it. [06:52]

Hebrews 11:31 (ESV): "By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who might feel excluded or unworthy. How can you extend God's radical grace to them this week, showing them that they are welcome in His family?

Day 3: The Unconditional Call to Follow

Matthew's story as a tax collector called by Jesus exemplifies the Gospel's core message: Jesus invites us to follow Him not because we are worthy, but because He is gracious. This invitation is extended to all, regardless of our past or present circumstances. Jesus's call to "Follow me" is not contingent on having our lives in order; it is an invitation to experience His transformative love and grace. This challenges us to let go of our self-imposed barriers and embrace the freedom that comes from following Jesus wholeheartedly. [12:25]

Luke 5:27-28 (ESV): "After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, 'Follow me.' And leaving everything, he rose and followed him."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Day 4: Embracing Our Need for Grace

Jesus's mission is to call sinners, not the self-righteous. This challenges us to recognize our own need for grace and to extend that grace to others. The Gospel is not about earning God's favor but about receiving His mercy and sharing it with those around us. It invites us to let go of our pride and self-righteousness, acknowledging that we are all in need of God's grace. By embracing our own need for grace, we can better empathize with others and become conduits of God's love and mercy in the world. [19:49]

Romans 3:23-24 (ESV): "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,"

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you struggled to accept God's grace. How can acknowledging your own need for grace help you extend it to someone else today?

Day 5: The Gift of Grace and Love

Just as we give gifts to our children out of love, not based on their behavior, God gives us the gift of His grace. This Christmas, let us remember that we are called to share this gift with others, especially those who feel unworthy, reflecting the heart of Jesus's mission. The season of giving is an opportunity to embody the love and grace we have received, offering it freely to those around us. By doing so, we participate in the transformative power of Jesus's love, bringing hope and healing to our communities. [23:03]

2 Corinthians 9:15 (ESV): "Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!"

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who feels undeserving of love or grace. How can you intentionally show them the love and grace of Jesus this Christmas season?

Sermon Summary

In this final month of our 14-month journey through the Bible, we find ourselves in the Gospel of Matthew, beginning with a genealogy that might seem mundane to us but was profoundly significant to its original Jewish Christian audience. This genealogy establishes Jesus as the Messiah by connecting Him to King David, fulfilling the prophecies. However, Matthew does something unexpected by including women and individuals with questionable pasts, such as Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba. These inclusions highlight the theme of grace and redemption, showing that Jesus's lineage is filled with the unlikely and the undeserving.

Matthew himself, once a tax collector ostracized from his community, understands the power of being called by Jesus despite his past. Jesus's invitation to Matthew, "Follow me," was not contingent on Matthew having his life in order. This reflects the heart of the Gospel: Jesus came not for the righteous, but for sinners. The genealogy and Matthew's own story remind us that the unlikely and the undeserving are not just part of Jesus's story—they are the point of it. This is good news for all of us, as it assures us that no matter our past or our perceived unworthiness, we are invited into Jesus's story through His grace.

As we approach Christmas, we are reminded that the gifts we give are not based on merit but on love, just as God's gift of grace is given to us. This season, let us extend the mercy and grace we have received to others, especially those who feel undeserving. Our upcoming Nativity nights are an opportunity to share this message with our community, inviting others to experience the transformative power of Jesus's love and forgiveness. Together, as the body of Christ, we have the privilege to not only tell the story of Jesus but to change lives through His word.

Key Takeaways

1. righteous. This challenges us to recognize our own need for grace and to extend that grace to others. The Gospel is not about earning God's favor but about receiving His mercy and sharing it with those around us. [19:49]
5. The Gift of Grace: Just as we give gifts to our children out of love, not based on their behavior, God gives us the gift of His grace. This Christmas, let us remember that we are called to share this gift with others, especially those who feel unworthy, reflecting the heart of Jesus's mission.

** [19:49]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:22] - The Importance of Genealogy
[03:35] - Tamar's Story
[06:52] - Rahab and Ruth
[09:48] - King David and Bathsheba
[12:25] - Matthew's Calling
[15:14] - Jesus's Radical Invitation
[17:23] - Jesus's Answer to the Pharisees
[19:49] - The Heart of the Gospel
[21:12] - Worthiness by Grace
[22:17] - The Gift of Grace
[23:03] - Giving Like Jesus
[23:51] - Embracing Our Unworthiness
[24:56] - Re-gifting Grace
[25:59] - Nativity Nights and Community Outreach

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What is the significance of the genealogy in Matthew 1:1-6, and how does it connect Jesus to King David? [02:22]
How does Matthew's inclusion of women like Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth in the genealogy challenge traditional norms? [03:35]
In Matthew 9:9-13, what was Jesus's response to the Pharisees' question about eating with tax collectors and sinners? [17:23]
How does Hosea 6:6 relate to Jesus's mission as described in Matthew 9:13? [19:49]

Interpretation Questions

Why might Matthew have chosen to highlight individuals with questionable pasts in Jesus's genealogy? What message does this convey about Jesus's mission? [11:40]
How does Jesus's call to Matthew in Matthew 9:9-13 illustrate the core message of the Gospel? What does this tell us about who Jesus came to save? [15:14]
What does Hosea 6:6 reveal about the nature of God's desire for mercy over sacrifice, and how does this apply to the Pharisees' understanding of righteousness? [17:23]
How does the concept of grace, as demonstrated in the genealogy and Jesus's interactions, challenge societal norms and expectations? [23:03]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life. Are there aspects of your past that make you feel unworthy of being part of Jesus's story? How does the genealogy in Matthew 1:1-6 offer reassurance? [11:40]
Jesus called Matthew to follow Him despite his past. How can you extend grace to someone in your life who might feel undeserving? [15:14]
In what ways can you practice showing mercy over judgment in your daily interactions, as emphasized in Hosea 6:6? [17:23]
As we approach Christmas, how can you intentionally give gifts of grace and love to those who might feel unworthy or overlooked? [23:03]
Consider the upcoming Nativity nights. How can you participate in sharing the message of Jesus's grace with your community? [25:59]
How can you embrace your own unworthiness and allow Jesus's grace to transform your life, as discussed in the sermon? [23:51]
Identify one person in your life who might feel like an outsider. What specific steps can you take to invite them into a community of grace and acceptance? [27:52]

Sermon Clips

"Matthew begins to understand and wants his readers to understand as well that the unlikely, the unexpected, the unworthy, the undeserving are not just a part of the story of Jesus as kind of a footnote, but they're exactly the point of the story of Jesus." [00:13:24] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"It's not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means. I desire mercy and not sacrifice, for I did not come to call. The righteous, but sinners." [00:17:39] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"The only thing that can save them is for one who is perfect to fulfill that law in the place. The promised Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One, the Son of God, Christ Himself, is the only one who makes anyone worthy to be part of the story because that worthiness doesn't come from performance." [00:19:49] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"You don't give presents to them because of their performance. You give presents to them because of their identity, beloved children and grandchildren, not because of what they've done or haven't done. You give presents because in spite of all that, you still love them and you cherish them." [00:22:42] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"No matter how long you've been away, no matter what you've done, no matter how unworthy you know you are to receive the gift, which you are right. You are unworthy. You don't deserve it. Embrace that." [00:24:16] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Because when you embrace that, you recognize Jesus is still right there with the gift for you, to pick you up in the midst of your pieces and brokenness, and to put you back together by his grace, and his mercy, and his forgiveness. And he'll do that time, and time, and time again." [00:24:50] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"The mercy and grace of Jesus in the places that God has perfectly positioned us. Because when Jesus gives us his mercy and grace, it is a gift that we will receive. It is a gift that is meant to be re-gifted to other people." [00:25:11] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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