When we are walking through hard circumstances, it can often be our default to conclude that God has left us. We may have originally believed God’s promise to always be with us, yet when surrounded by darkness, it’s easy to feel like we’ve been abandoned. In these painful times, maybe you’ve heard someone offer encouragement in this platitude: “Don’t doubt in the dark what God told you in the light.” This is solid, wise advice…and it’s also easier said than done.
In today’s reading in Jeremiah, the surrounding nations were saying the Lord chose Israel and Judah and then abandoned them. These nations were sneering and saying that they were no longer worthy to be counted as a nation. Would they ever be saved? Had God forgotten about them? Throughout the Old Testament, it seemed even Israel and Judah doubted God would fulfill His promises. But the Lord said that He would no more reject His people than He would change His laws that govern the night and day, earth and sky (Jeremiah 33:25–36).
In the book of Jeremiah we see no specific mention of the Messiah’s name, but rest assured, the hope of Jesus is there.
God was unfolding His perfect plan—the hope and future for His people even when it couldn’t be seen. While the people of Judah felt fearful and hopeless, God was preparing for the hope of the world Himself all along. He did not leave His people. He was faithful to His promise and would ensure it was carried through. And as we walk through challenges and hardships, we know that God’s sovereign, good plan will prevail. He has not left us.
His faithfulness is evident as we read Matthew 1. It’s easy to breeze over these names and continue with your daily reading, but I encourage you to stop and take in this truth. Each and every soul carved into the genealogy of Jesus was an ordinary person, used by a mighty God for His good plan. While the people of Judah lamented in the book of Jeremiah, the seed of the Messiah was being carried down through ordinary people also searching for hope. They couldn’t see it, but hope was there. Rather than looking at these verses as merely a list of names, search instead for the character of God woven throughout. It is evidence that He is faithful and will always be faithful.
This Advent season, if you are walking through darkness, hold on to the hope that God is faithful in keeping His promise to you. He will never leave you. Even when you don’t see it, He is working all things out for the good.
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102 thoughts on "The Family Line of Jesus"
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God is indeed faithful through every season even in the waiting season. He promises never fails. He is not a man and will never lie [Numbers 23:19}. My life is indeed a testament that God is good. For every time i get to a crossroad and dunno what to do He shows up and tell me ‘my daughter be still I am God, i never change’. Brethren i urge you to trust Him even when it doesn’t feel easy and watch Him take control.
amen! He is faithful through all of our ups and downs of life! His promise, “I will resotre their fortunes and have compassion on them.” He is faithful to restore!
Amen!
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Today reminded me how intentional and faithful God was in the family line of Jesus. Despite brokenness, waiting, and imperfect people, God kept His promise. That brings me comfort, knowing that through Jesus, I’m invited into His story and His family ❤️
Thankful for our loving God!
I thank God for his grace as we have been walking through a dark time with my husband’s health. God brought him through a miraculous healing of an 7 day AFib episode and we are very grateful for his healing. It is so encouraging to know God worked through ordinary people to give us His Son as our redeemer!
Wow! An ordinary person, with. Seed of hope. That’s what we are! Even as we wait for the second advent of our wonderful Jesus!
Amen!
Amen.
Thank you Lord for keeping your promises to us. Help me remember What you say in light is also very true in dark. This year has been tough and I pray for light Lord. As your plan unfolds for me let there be light. Amen.
Thank you for not leaving me in the darkness you are always with me Father God! Amen!
I love how God has a plan for each of our lives. I pray that I would walk according to his plan for mine! ❤️
Praying for your family sherry
Praying for all of you but especially those who advent season feels a bit heavy. I too have been there and know there is hope on the other side. Happy Friday ladies!
Instead of looking at these names as a mere list, search for the character of God woven throughout. This spoke volumes to me as I tend to start out reading the names and then scanning as soon as I cannot pronounce one!
I agree Traci Gendron, this time I started asking myself what was each person’s story who was mentioned in the genealogy!
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The original audience loved a good family line while we just get bored of them.
Lots of truth there, Caroline! ❤
So good❤️
These verses remind me of how God uses ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary mission! We just have to trust and obey! Let Him worry about the outcome!
Just think because we belong to Christ, we are now in this lineage!! We are in His family and loved as His own children!
Oh, God is so good! He is faithful! Keep looking to Jesus!
Praying for all! Have a beautiful day! Thank you for all of your lists and insights and songs!
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When I read the genealogy (confession, I am one of those that does most often skim it quickly) it just reminds me that God used everyday, ordinary people to fulfill His plan. How they lived, who they were mattered right to the time of Mary and Joseph being the parents of Jesus. It also always stands out to me the increments of 14 generations for each segment of time. Not coincidence at all and only by God’s design could that all come to be.
The weight and importance of my faithfulness and obedience of God is important to my family. I have mentioned this before that what if my parents, grandparents, great grandparents had not walked with Jesus? What if I didn’t? We all well know there are no guarantees of choices our kids and loved ones make but would my girls be where they are in their own walk with Jesus if we as parent did not seek to raise them in a Christian home? Praise the Lord, by His grace and mercy with all our shortcomings and mistakes as parents we muddled through and our grandson has parents that love and live for Jesus. He has grandparents and great grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and cousins that love Jesus. Somewhere along the way, generations farther back than I know, made a choice to say yes to Jesus and that mattered to all of us here now. My faithful obedience to the Lord, walking with Him, living for Him matters to my family. God’s design was used all the way along to fulfill His purposes and each generation both flawed and faithful mattered. There is both challenge and reassurance in this as I reflect on these passages today. The reassurance in that even if I stumble and question and struggle, He is at work. The challenge is to pursue living faithfully committed to Jesus, to be steady, and boldly shine the light, truth and hope of Jesus to my family, friends and all of those around who don’t know Him. My heart today, everyday and this Advent season is to live a life that proclaims the Good News of great joy. ❤️
What an incredible legacy to come from and to pass on to future generations! Such a gift!
Beautiful, Wendy! ❤
What a good reminder of God’s faithfulness and also how God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things
He will never leave us! Never! It’s not in His character. WE are HIS forever and ever! To the She that may be out there reading this beautiful devotion, and you are in a place (how our writer this morning concludes), PLEASE, please know YOU are not alone, even if it feels like it. WE are here for YOU. REACH out to someone! Don’t be shy. We as the family of God are here for one another. I don’t know where I would be if it weren’t for the She’s in this beautiful platform of She Reads Truth! Happy Friday sweeties! My last day of work for two weeks! I’m going to miss those little munchkins. We have a FUN day planned of gingerbread house making with their parents.
When I come to genealogy verses, I’ve started adding the scripture verses beside the names when/if I come across them in scripture in a different place – especially the less familiar names. And only if I can verify it’s the same person but it helps me remember they are people who lived and were servants of God whether they knew it or not!
Great idea, Kimn! I don’t have much space in my margins, but each time I read though I recognize another name so I need to find room for that. ❤
Amen! ❤
This is one of the reasons I love the Gospel of Matthew so much. From the very beginning you can see both God’s planning and His grace. Jesus’s family line was anything but perfect, but God used it to accomplish His perfect plan and show us the grace of God through it.
Amen! ❤
The genealogy we read about is proof of God’s MERCY and planning through the ages. Through this list of names we are reminded that
God is SOVEREIGN.
Gos is FAITHFUL.
God is PATIENT and LOVING.
God is MERCIFUL… and SO much more!
We serve a mighty and awesome God!
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The Jeremiah passage brought this song to mind.
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Excerpt from ALL BECAUSE OF MERCY by Casting Crowns:
But the truth is I’ve been broken since my very first breath
And the truth is I’ve been wanderin’ since my very first step
I know the only reason
I can stand here unashamed
It’s not because I’m worthy
It’s all because of mercy
There’s no way that I could earn it
Praise God, my debt is paid
It’s not because I’m worthy
It’s all because of mercy
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Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
Of Matthew Chapter 1, Warren Wiersbe says: “Genealogies were very important to the Jews, for without them they could not prove their tribal memberships or their rights to inheritances. Anyone claiming to be “the Son of David” (12:23) had to be able to prove it. Matthew gave our Lord’s family tree through His foster father, Joseph, while Luke gave Mary’s lineage (Luke 3:23–38.).”
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And John MacArthur Study Bible notes:
“Tamar.
It is unusual for women to be named in genealogies. Matthew names 5: “Tamar” was a Canaanite woman who posed as a prostitute to seduce Judah (Gen. 38:13–30). “Rahab” (v. 5) was a Gentile and a prostitute (Josh. 2:1). “Ruth” (v. 5) was a Moabite woman (Ruth 1:3) and a worshiper of idols. “Bathsheba” (“Uriah’s wife,” v. 6) committed adultery with David (2 Sam. 11). And “Mary” (v. 16) bore the stigma of pregnancy outside of wedlock. Each of these women is an object lesson about the workings of divine grace.”
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According to what I’ve read, I am reminded that Matthew lists the “royal” lineage through Joseph and Luke lists the “blood” lineage through Mary. How do I forget that from year to year?!
5 flawed women. That helps lift some of the perfection characteristic trait that I have.
For all of us, Traci! ❤ Most of our examples are focused on the Proverbs 31 woman. Great goals to attain, but we are still valuable even if we don’t measure up to that standard.
I’m usually guilty of just skimming over the genealogies, but today I slowed down and really looked through the names. I wondered why some women/mothers are listed but other not. Thank you so much for these notes! A great reminder of how God can use imperfect people like me ❤️
❤ Like me, too!
You are faithful. Thank you Lord. Amen
He has not left us and never will. Remember that ALWAYS, sweet sisters!
Tamar – unmarried widow who played the prostitute, Rahab – a Canaanite prostitute and Ruth from a pagan Moabite background, and yet, here they are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus as God unfolded His perfect plan.
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I too am forever grateful that God chooses and uses ordinary people to accomplish His work and His will. God was, is and will always be faithful. Thank you Sarah for the reminder that I am not to doubt God in the dark of what He has told me in the light.
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…”for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:28-29
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I (we) belong to Christ! I’m (we’re) adopted, hallelujah I’m a child of the King!
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@Caroline Bridges – praise the Lord on the good report of your grandma!
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Happy Friday She’s!
Amen! ❤
I’ve always enjoyed reading the genealogy of Jesus and that 4 women were recorded. A former prostitute, a faithful servant, a woman that had an affair, and Tamar. What I usually get mixed up about Tamar, was this the one that was sexually abused by Absalom or is this another one? Anyway, God used these ordinary women, some sinful, some not to bring Jesus into the world. If he can do it through them, he can do anything for me.
In Genesis 38 Tamar pretended to be a prostitute and became pregnant by her FIL, after she was widowed. Judah deceived her, and then she deceived Judah.
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Just goes to show how He can use those who are deceitful (like me!)
The Tamar they are referring to, correct me if I am wrong, is the daughter-in-law of Judah.Her husbands died because they were evil in the sight of the Lord. Later, she tricked Judah into sexual relations by pretending to be a harlot and got pregnant.
I have often said that I arrived here, at this point, on the shoulders of others. Those who long ago held me, a future relative, up in prayer, Those who guided me, cared for me, showed me. Yes, even those who were not so kind and did me harm or wrong..
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Life is a journey, one that is never done, embarked on, alone, even if in some instances it feels like it!
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I know i was covered in prayer by the faithful that have gone before, and they help shape who I am. But i also know, the ‘raggamuffins’ members of my past, have also contributed to the person i am, and my story.
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BUT GOD..
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He has been in their stories, and He for sure is in mine, He has been the ‘glue’, if you like, that has held it/us together, connected.
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From the beginning of time, waaayyy back when I/we were not even twinkles, GOD was making a way for us, through the ancestors whose names we may or may not carry, even those ‘secret ones’ hidden in the family closet.
Our stories come alive, because GOD had a plan for us.. to arrive at this point… today, tomorrow, next week..
Our stories written by His Great, Mighty and faithful hand, keeping promises of long ago, still. Never to leave, never to forsake, always present, always hopeful.
A faithful promise keeper!
Looking back, thankful to those who have gone ahead, my genealogy and thankful that I do not stand alone, because GOD has always been present no matter our journey..our faults.. our wondering..
He is present..
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AMEN.
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It’s Friday.. Happy today wrapped in much love and prayers..♥️
I found it an encouragement to think that people in Jesus’ lineage may have been looking to the hope of the Messiah and may not have even realized they were part of it; a part of God’s plan!
Thankful He’s always working on our behalf and using us in His work!
Beautiful, Tina! Mwah!!! Hope you are all recovered from your back issue!❤
Today’s message put Waymaker on my mind. Even when I don’t see it your working…you never stop working…Appreciate all you ladies that share daily and help me bring clarity to each days lesson. You are loved and valued! ❤️
Waymaker
You are here
Moving in our midst
I worship You
I worship You
You are here
Working in this place
I worship You
I worship You
And You are
Way maker, miracle worker
Promise keeper, light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
And You are
Way maker, miracle worker
Promise keeper, light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
You are here
Turning lives around
I worship You
I worship You
You are here
And You’re healing every heart
I worship You
I worship You
And You are
Way maker, miracle worker
Promise keeper, light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
And You are
Way maker, miracle worker
Promise keeper, light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
And that is who You are
(That is who You are), yeah
That is who You are
(That is who You are), yeah-eh-ay
Even when I don’t see it, You’re workin’
Even when I don’t feel it, You’re workin’
You never stop, You never stop workin’
You never stop, Jesus You are
Way maker, miracle worker
Promise keeper, light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
(I know, I know You are)
Way maker, miracle worker
Promise keeper, light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
Yeah, that is who You are
(That is who You are)
That is who You are
(That is who You are)
Jesus, that is who You are
I so love this song.. thank you..Sandy..♥️
I love this song! I always turn it way up.
I come here today asking for prayers for my 94 year old mother in law. She is facing her final days. She has accepted Jesus into her heart but she is scared and doubting. Please pray for peace for her as she makes this transition to heaven, and for her family as we search for the words to comfort her. I think today’s devotion was sent for a reason. Thank you, Sherry
Praying for your precious mother in law..that Father God himself will wrap her in His arm giving her the safe haven she needs to trust Him in these her last days.. prsying for you too Sherry as you journey with her. ♥️
Will pray, indeed! ❤️
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How hard for her and for you.
Praying, Sherry
Praying for your MIL! For peace and to be surrounded by God’s loving presence!
praying for your MIL, Sherry, that she will feel God’s comfort and have confidence in His peace as she waits to meet Him face to face.
Praying for a peaceful passing for your MIL and comfort and peace for the family. ❤️
Lifting you MIL in prayer, Sherry.
I loved the commentary that although there was no mention of Jesus in the book of Jeremiah, the hope of Christ was still evident! Maybe I needed to hear that today as a reminder that even when I don’t understand His plan or feel His presence as intimately, He is still with me. Thank you Jesus for your loving presence! I know you’re with me Lord!
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Amen!
Ever since I heard Lisa Harper explain that “the genealogy of Jesus is not a census; it’s a sermon,” it has really changed how I read His genealogy. And today the perspective that the seed of the Messiah was being carried down through ordinary people, gives me so much hope. It makes me feel closer to Jesus because it was people like you and I, that God used for his ultimate plan for redemption. Thank You, Jesus, that You choose and empower the humble and unworthy, making us ambassadors of Your Gospel by Your grace.
Hi Maria, I have heard Lisa talk as well. That lady is wonderful at
Ruth and Rahab had no idea that they would be included in the genealogy of Jesus. They were ordinary, gentile women who heard of God and feared Him enough to follow their convictions and do the next right thing.
Rahab was Ruth’s MIL, and Ruth was David’s great grandmother. It’s mind-boggling to see God’s perfect plan unfolding 3500 years ago as He orchestrated the family line that His Son would be born into.
Oh my soul, remember the God that you love and serve. He isn’t sleeping, He hasn’t forgotten. He is working. He has a plan. He is faithful. He is a promise keeper.
God has plans for me. Will I be bold like Rahab, or faithful like Ruth? Will I stand firm in my convictions, and be faithful to what I know is good and right, and trust God with the rest?
God, I want to participate in the work that you are doing. I want my legacy to be that of faithful obedience as these two women modeled so well for us.
Yes ma’am. So good.
Right??? ♥️
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“This Advent season, if you are walking through darkness, hold on to the hope that God is faithful in keeping His promise to you. He will never leave you. Even when you don’t see it, He is working all things out for the good.” I needed this today. I have been feeling dark and weary, and also disconnected.
But you are here with us in the word. Feel our presence. No God is near and your sisters surround you
I am glad you are here with us. You have had such a hard season…I can’t help but wonder if these heavy, dark feelings are a manifestation of grief? I pray that Jesus meets you in the lament and the sorrow with His peace and His presence. ❤️
As I read that, I was thinking of all of you who are facing the ‘firsts’ this Christmas season. I was also thinking of the time that I was in that dark place. Praise God He brought me back into His marvelous Light. He WILL see you through, Tami -even your darkest time. It didn’t happen overnight for me and probably won’t for you, but He is there … waiting! ❤❤❤.
❤️ the tenderness of these days for you is hard. Praying for God’s presence and comfort to lift you up
Praying for you Tami! God is with you even the dark, weary, hard places.
Thank you all. Yes maybe it is grief… I should be used to it after all the loss we have had as a family… but losing my brother has been different than losing my parents
Praying for you and your family Tami Cutler
Praying for you Tami. I truly cannot imagine. I’m so sorry
Precious Tami, the difficulty of caring for BJ and then having to deal with his passing is a huge weight to carry. The first holidays without our loved ones are so difficult (I know first hand). Know that your SRT sisters are holding you up and that our Heavenly Father loves and cares for you. ❤️
Jer. 33:22 “Even as the stars of heaven cannot be counted, and the sand of the sea cannot be measured, so too I will make innumerable the descendants of my servant David and the Levites who minister to me.”
Echos the promises made to Abraham, the Levites, and David and reminds me of what Peter wrote: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9).
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CAROLINE BRIDGES – thanks for the update on your grandmother! Rejoicing that in God’s kindness things are going better than expected.
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It has been a week since my stepdad died, continued prayers for my mom please as she navigates the paperwork. Thanks
Praying for your mom, Kelly, and for you and your family.
KELLY, apparently I didn’t make it through all the comments last Friday and missed yours. Your mom will be in my prayers along with you and the rest of the family! I know it will take her awhile to plow through all of the paperwork and more difficult due to the suddenness of your stepdad’s death. I am so sorry to be late adding my prayers, but you have them now, sister! Love you and sending hugs across the miles!❤❤❤
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Love those Scriptures; thank you! ❤
Praying for your mom and for Caroline’s grandmother
Amen ❤️
The genealogy of Jesus was carefully crafted by God before the beginning of time as we know it, generation after generation. The genealogies of Joseph and of Mary (Luke 3) fulfill Scripture from both parents in God’s precise planning. Mind blowing when I think of all the twists and turns on that path.
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Galatians 3:27-28
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
…Woohoo!
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MERCY ❤️❤️❤️
CAROLINE BRIDGES – thank you for the update! Praying she’s 100% soon.
CEE GEE ❤️❤️❤️
MIA FAITH ❤️❤️❤️
EILEEN DOWD ❤️ praying for family peace
My thoughts, too, Searching – reminds me of the wonderful Genealogy of Jesus study we did with SRT! It was one of my favorites. God in human flesh planned before there was time!! Astounding and humbling and beyond our comprehension all at one time….
Oh, yes, great study for sure!!!
Searching, I am confused, can you help me understand how the genealogy in Luke is Mary’s genealogy?
Sheryl, I don’t remember when I first learned this. I looked for help in explaining and found this on got questions.
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“Mary’s lineage, as recorded by Luke, does not mention Mary, but that’s to be expected—including women’s names in genealogies was not standard practice. It begins this way: “[Jesus] was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli” (Luke 3:23). This comment affirms the truth of Jesus’ virgin birth (see Luke 1:29–38). Joseph was a “son” of Heli by virtue of his marriage to Mary, who would have been the daughter of Heli (Matthew 1:16 lists Joseph’s biological father as Jacob).”
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“Some notable points in Mary’s lineage are that she was a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Luke 3:34); she was specifically of the tribe of Judah (verse 33). She was also a descendant of Boaz (verse 32) and David (verse 31). Significantly, Luke traces Mary’s lineage all the way back to Adam (verse 38). This fits with Luke’s purpose as he wrote to Gentiles and emphasized that Jesus is the Son of God who came to save all people (cf. Luke 2:10–11).”
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hope this helps.
Woohoo! indeed! ❤❤❤
The. Seed of the messiah was being carried down through ordinary people searching for hope… Amen!
I also really enjoyed this perspective. What a great way of looking at all those names!
Amen❤️❤️