PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 1
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Whose mother was… Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Uriah’ wife, Mary.” (Matthew 1:5,6,16)
Matthew wants us to know who Jesus is, and who Jesus is for.
It is surprising to see these women in his family tree.
Tamar had sex with her faith in-law to get pregnant.
Rahab was a Canaanite prostitute.
Ruth was a Moabite woman, an outsider to the faith.
Uriah’ wife (Bathsheba) was taken by David, though she was married.
And Mary was an unmarried mother, and her betrothed not the father.
And of course, they were women… what mention the women at all?
Judah and David are also included, who dishonoured Tamar and Bathsheba.
But Matthew is making a point: Jesus comes from and for the ‘sinners’.
These are the ones Jesus associated with, and got in trouble for.
Jesus elevates the shunned and shamed and humbles the religious proud.
Think about it, look at who God welcomes into his family.
And then consider this – Jesus welcomes you into his family too!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you for your gracious love, and your willingness to have my name associated with yours.