The Christmas Code - December 4, 2022
THERE IS GOD IN THE FAMILY TREE OF JESUS
And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.
Matthew 1:16
Note carefully what today's verse says... and doesn't say. It does not say, "Joseph begot Jesus." Here the repetition of the "begots" ends. The "whom" in Greek is feminine singular, referring only to Mary and not to Joseph. Can you see God the Father right here in the family tree of Jesus? Jesus was the virgin-born son of Mary, in whose womb the Father implanted His Son. Hundreds of years earlier, the prophet Isaiah had said the virgin birth would be the "sign" of the long-awaited Messiah (Isaiah 7:14).
It is because Jesus was Mary's seed (the seed of a woman, Genesis 3:15) and not the seed of Joseph that entitles Him to be your Savior and Lord. The virgin birth is the bedrock of His authority.
Some see only grief. But look closer and you will find grace. And, if you look close enough, you will see the hand of God molding, making, forming, and fashioning you. He has been there all along.
CODE WORD: BOOK
The only book that ultimately matters is the Lamb's Book of Life, where the names of all those who have put their trust in Christ are listed. Is your name in that book? Jesus said, "Do not rejoice... that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20).
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Lord, thank You that You are working in my life this very moment. forming and fashioning me into Your very image.
In Jesus' name, amen.