This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham...
Today's Reading: Matthew 1:1-17
Devo Author: Margo Bodishbaugh
Date: December 1, 2022
Have you ever felt drawn to someone and not really known why? I have. Sometimes it has been due to their personality, their transparency, or because they seemed full of joy. Other times, it seems like a mystery. Last year, I was involved in a study, and a woman who was gifted with decorating encouraged us by preparing the food table each week. It was always fun to anticipate what she would create. One week I walked in and felt a peacefulness. She had placed old baskets, a quilt, and an ancient scale on the table, along with the flowers. This design fed my soul. I wanted to let her know how much it meant to me, so we struck up a conversation. During this time, she mentioned "her people" came from Madison County. My ears instantly perked. You see, my parents are from Madison County, and my sweet mama is the queen of making (or almost making) our family related to, or connected to anyone from over that way. My new friend had an app on her phone that helps locate family members and descendants. She asked for the names of my grandparents and we decided to meet for lunch. She brought pictures and family trees to our lunch and her fourth great grandfather was my fifth great grandfather. We’re related! I don’t know how related, but we now have a bond. We are family.
The lineage of Our Savior was foretold in the Old Testament in the line of David. Take a minute and read
Isaiah 9:6-7,
Isaiah 11:1, and
Jeremiah 23:5. In our New Testament passage today, the gospel writer, Matthew, begins with this in
chapter 1 verse 1, “This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham...”
I loved finding out that I have a familial bond with my new friend. Before the beginning, God knew the lineage of the Messiah. The prophets told us. The Jews and Gentiles knew their Savior would be from David’s family. Today, reach out to someone in your family, whether it’s your family line or your brother/sister in Christ. Let them know you’re thankful they are a part of your history, your story.