“And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah” (Matthew 1:6b, ESV)
Have you ever taken a close look at the genealogy of Jesus found in the first chapter of Matthew? When I read the Bible and the genealogy of someone is given (it happens a lot in the Old Testament), I tend to skip over that part of the chapter or read it really quickly, not giving it much thought or time. However, I would encourage you to read these opening 17 verses of Matthew now if you are able.
Think of your own genealogy. Mine is filled with many believers, providing a legacy for which I am very grateful. Yet in these people, there is much sin and many mistakes found. Though believers, we are still sinners and very good at sinning. However, despite all the messiness of my ancestry, many people have come to know the Risen Christ through these people. God works through the junk of our lives to bring himself the glory.
You will see the same thing on the list of people mentioned in the Jesus’ genealogy. When God was lining up the genealogy of his Son to come to earth and save the world from their sins, you would think he would make sure the lineage would be perfect and no imperfections. But this is not the case. He allowed sin-ridden, foolish people to establish the line of the Savior.
Take, for example, King David, “the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah.” Let me quickly refresh your memory on this story: David had an adulterous affair with a lady named Bathsheba (who eventually became his wife), a woman whose husband, Uriah, served in David’s army. Because of his guilt and shame, David has Uriah fight on the front lines of battle where Uriah would be killed. Now here’s an even quicker synopsis: David was an adulterer and murderer.
Listen to what Paul, hundreds of years later, remembered of David, from the pages of the Old Testament (the only “Bible” Paul had): “I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will” (Acts 13:22). The all-knowing, sovereign God of the universe, who knew what David would do in the future, set him apart as king and even said out loud that David was a “man after my heart.”
To me, this seems scandalous. But it is not surprising in the least bit. The gospel itself—proclaiming that Jesus has come to set sinners free—is scandalous. We deserve death and hell. Yet, through Christ’s perfect life and death, we can be set free and live eternally with him in heaven. Murderers, adulterers, convicted felons—if they come to Christ, they are set free. What a scandal!
You see, God knew what he was doing when he allowed wretched, ungodly people in the lineage of Christ. That’s exactly who Christ came to save! He came for the broken and sinful, the wretched and depraved, the murderers and adulterers. I love the irony. It is a beautiful thing that God sent his Son to save messy people like you and me.
—
Rosson Anderson
June 1, 2015
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.