December 18
“The Geneology”
Matthew 1:1-17
– Lisa Love, Preschool Associate
Silence! Between the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, and the first book of the New Testament, Matthew, there were 400 years of silence. God had not spoken to His people in 400 years! No prophets came forward with God’s message, no one heard from God. But, that doesn’t mean God was not working; that does not mean God had forgotten His people. God made His people promises, and God is faithful. He keeps promises. God was working and preparing to bring His Son into the world. God’s chosen family began with Abraham and continued with his son, Isaac. This family tree included King David and Solomon and countless others. During these years when God was silent, God was still working, creating this family from which our Savior, Jesus, would be born.
Even now, we have promises from God that have not been fulfilled. After Jesus ascended into heaven, God said Jesus would return one day. This is a promise we are waiting to happen! When we worry or have doubts about these promises, we can look back on the promises God has fulfilled to remind us that He is a faithful God who does all things He promised to do. We can remember that God promised He would send a Savior to defeat Satan. We can point to Abraham and see the family tree God grew from which Jesus came. Finally, we can celebrate Christmas, remembering that Jesus came to save and transform our lives with His truth.
This Christmas marvel at God’s faithfulness! He is faithful to bring about just what He promised in His perfect timing. God used Abraham’s family to bring forth the promised Messiah, Jesus.
- Read Matthew 1:1-17. Ask God to use this genealogy to prepare your heart for Christmas. What does verse 1 say about Jesus?
- Read 2 Samuel 7:12-16. In Matthew’s genealogy, what point was he trying to make in saying Jesus was the Son of David?
- Read 2 Samuel 7:12-16. Is there something you have been waiting on God to do? Does He seem slow in keeping it? Reflect on the waiting in this genealogy; think about those who never saw the coming of Jesus.
- Read Hebrews 11:39-40. Why did all those named in Hebrews 11 not receive what was promised? What is the something better for all who place their faith in God?
- Read 1 Peter 1:13. What would look different in your life if you set your hope on the grace to be brought to you on the day Jesus comes again? What would change in your life?
Join us for Christmas at Green Acres! Info below: