The Family Tree of Grace | Matthew 1:1-17

We often think we need to have our lives perfectly together before we can approach God, but Matthew's genealogy of Jesus tells a radically different story. This passage reveals a stunning truth: the bloodline of the Messiah includes prostitutes, adulterers, murderers, deceivers, and idolaters. From Abraham's moments of extreme doubt to David's adultery and murder, from Rahab the Gentile harlot to Ruth the Moabite outsider, God deliberately chose broken people to bring about the Savior of the world. This isn't a timeline of purity—it's a timeline of grace. The genealogy spans 4,000 years and 42 generations, arranged in three sets of 14, like a divine countdown building toward one specific moment in Bethlehem. It reminds us that Jesus didn't come to join a family of perfection; He came to redeem sinners. If God can pull the Messiah out of this lineup, He can pull purpose out of our lives too. Our past mistakes, family background, and personal failures aren't hurdles God needs to overcome—they're the very material He uses to demonstrate His redemptive power. This Advent season, we're not just celebrating a birthday; we're celebrating the arrival of the King who redeemed all of history and offers to redeem our stories too.