Teachings from the Christ Child
Jerry Watts
Matthew 1:1-16
Four years ago, on a Sunday morning, as a part of a series of messages entitled ''A Baby Changes Everything'' - I offered us a message which has become one of the more popular messages on the internet.
Now, let's return to our text with the truth that He came to bring hope firmly place in our mind and let's examine our text. Isn't this an exciting text? It is a genealogy. As a general rule, most of us skip over these extended 'begats' and 'fathered' passages of scripture. However, in this one we find something very interesting. When we take into account that Matthew penned his letter in a culture that was highly patriarchal and women had few, if any, rights; it is amazing (at least to me) that 5 women are found listed among the 42 generations of men. Now for today this would be considered 'discrimination' but in that day, it was unheard of. For any females to be listed was almost unimaginable. Yet, here they are, five of them in all.
For years, this truth passed me by. Yet, could it be that even in His genealogy that the Christ child was attempting to teach us eternal truths about the reason for His coming and what He desired to offer us. Jesus is our hope! This baby in a manger became the lamb of Calvary. He came to offer you and me life to the fullest, healing from the sicknesses which keep us in bondage, help to find meaning and purpose, as well as forgiveness from the sin which holds us captive.
Today, let me call you this Christmas to hold up the banner which says, ''There is HOPE in Jesus.'' Even in His Genealogy we find hope. By taking a brief look at each of these five women, perhaps we can discover what Jesus desires to teach us about His coming and His Hope.
Teaching from the Christ Child - Pg 2
HOPE FOR THE FORGOTTEN -TAMAR
Have you ever felt forgotten? I remember being left at an uncle's house during a sickness in family and I felt forgotten. The story of Tamar could wel ...
Jerry Watts
Matthew 1:1-16
Four years ago, on a Sunday morning, as a part of a series of messages entitled ''A Baby Changes Everything'' - I offered us a message which has become one of the more popular messages on the internet.
Now, let's return to our text with the truth that He came to bring hope firmly place in our mind and let's examine our text. Isn't this an exciting text? It is a genealogy. As a general rule, most of us skip over these extended 'begats' and 'fathered' passages of scripture. However, in this one we find something very interesting. When we take into account that Matthew penned his letter in a culture that was highly patriarchal and women had few, if any, rights; it is amazing (at least to me) that 5 women are found listed among the 42 generations of men. Now for today this would be considered 'discrimination' but in that day, it was unheard of. For any females to be listed was almost unimaginable. Yet, here they are, five of them in all.
For years, this truth passed me by. Yet, could it be that even in His genealogy that the Christ child was attempting to teach us eternal truths about the reason for His coming and what He desired to offer us. Jesus is our hope! This baby in a manger became the lamb of Calvary. He came to offer you and me life to the fullest, healing from the sicknesses which keep us in bondage, help to find meaning and purpose, as well as forgiveness from the sin which holds us captive.
Today, let me call you this Christmas to hold up the banner which says, ''There is HOPE in Jesus.'' Even in His Genealogy we find hope. By taking a brief look at each of these five women, perhaps we can discover what Jesus desires to teach us about His coming and His Hope.
Teaching from the Christ Child - Pg 2
HOPE FOR THE FORGOTTEN -TAMAR
Have you ever felt forgotten? I remember being left at an uncle's house during a sickness in family and I felt forgotten. The story of Tamar could wel ...
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