Both Matthew and Luke make 'due diligence' in chronicling for us the lineage of Jesus Christ. Matthew traces the genealogy of Mary, while Luke that of Joseph. While much alike, there is significant difference and with that, divinely provided insight.
First, we note the root source of each: Mary is connected to David, and then directly to Abraham. Two men with unique relationship with God. David is characterized as 'a man after God's heart' and flowing out of that is expressed the theme of worship, expressed in Psalms.
Abraham is noted as a man of faith, willing to give up everything to follow God. He gave up the land of his birth, his family, his wife and, ultimately, the child of promise, Isaac. He is singled out by God Himself as, 'Abraham, my friend.'
In each lineage are found glaring imperfections of which all of us would be ashamed. Judah, whose very name means 'Praise', had an immoral fling with his widowed daughter-in-law, Tamar; Rahab, was a prostitute rescued from Jericho; Ruth the Moabites, a people known as hostile toward God; and by reference, without being named, Bathsheba, who was the partner with King David in adultery.
But the root system of Mary's lineage is founded in men of persevering faith and redemptive grace. What a heritage she brings to the family.
Ultimately, we arrive at the point of inquiry: Me. Have I traced my lineage in search of 'bragging rights', of some historic figure that adds imagined stature to prop up my being? While I am not responsible for what has been passed on to me, I am responsible for that imprint my life makes.
So, the question comes: would I want me in my family tree? Take a moment and re-read Psalm 1. Which of these two options would I want hanging from my family tree? Think about it.
More later
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