Devotion for Sunday, January 14, 2024

The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1).

Genealogy is important, for it is that which connects us together.  God, who sees all moments as now, sees us in the lineage to which we have been born.  When We read Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, we see a connection of family, generation after generation.  At the end of the day, they were either faithful to the Lord, or else, as the majority were, unfaithful and sinned against the Lord.

Lord, I too come from a long lineage, only I cannot tie my name back to Adam and Eve as some are able to do.  But, I too am a descendent of my first parents who chose to sin.  I have inherited sin.  I do not need to remain there.  Regardless of what my parents have done, I need not choose to remain in sin.  I can receive the grace of Jesus and be one of the few who follows the way of eternal life.

Lord Jesus, You came into life in this world in a family just as I did.  You who are God in the flesh chose time and space and dwelt amongst us for our sake.  Through all of the mystery that surrounds why You would do this, help me to not lean upon the modern idea of excusing my sin by blaming my family, but instead, follow the offer You give to come by grace and live the new life that You give.  Amen.