Devotion:
This week we have been looking at the family tree of Jesus. Matthew begins his story about the life of Jesus with a listing of that tree. In the listing, he was willing to include some of the people and incidents that most families would prefer not be included. What might Matthew have wanted to communicate with this list?
A primary message I take away from this listing is that God can work through all people and all situations in their lives to bring about something good. So often, we want to hide the details of our past or our family, but we need not do so. The better approach is to look for the ways that God worked even through difficult and painful times to teach us lessons and bring about change. Even when things did not turn out well for us or our family, we can always use that experience to relate to others who may be going through similar experiences, assuring them that we understand and helping to see them through those times. Too often in the church, when someone in a family does something that is publicly looked down on, the family withdraws from life in the church, feeling ashamed and somehow like they no longer belong. The best thing we can do for them is let them know they belong as much as they ever did.
Personal Worship Option:
Who do you need to reach out to and let them know they are accepted and belong in the family of God?
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