Actually, I don’t think that I have ever even read it that carefully.
Yet, it is how Matthew chose to begin his account of the life of Jesus.
Forty-four people are named as Matthew does his own version of Ancestry.com on Jesus, going all the way back to Abraham.
Every other Gospel begins with a focus on the divinity of Jesus as God’s Son, or the Word that became flesh. But, Matthew focuses on the humanity of Jesus.
And is it ever human.
This Sunday at the Gathering Church we will look at the Surprising Roots of Jesus in Matthew 1:1-17. The list includes many who would be a great embarrassments if they were your ancestors.
Why is it important for us to know the human side of Jesus’ heritage?
Why would God do his most incredible work through such flawed people?
Christians are often thought to be some of the most judgmental and self-righteous people on the planet.
How could that be considering where Jesus came from?
If some of those people could speak to us today, what might they say?
I am looking forward to my first sermon on this passage.
I hope to see you this Sunday.
Mark
