Matthew 1 - Monday 5th August

Today’s chapter is Matthew 1.

Tom writes:

Clearly no-one told Matthew that listening to someone else’s family history is less interesting than filling out a passport application.  And yet, in it we see the bewildering arc of God’s grace, stretching across kings (Solomon) and prostitutes (Tamar), adulterers (David) and asylum seekers (Ruth).  On reading this stuff, barely anyone could think they are ineligible to be included in the family and plans of God.  And after putting that awesome inclusivity out there, Matthew quite happily switches into one of the most understated paragraphs I have ever read - a virgin to give birth, an angelic appearance and a promise so great the English language can’t do it justice. 

“To save people from their sins” - in six words to define the predicament and remedy for every individual in the whole of history.  In six words to sum up the huge imbalance of all Christian faith - that we bring the sin and Jesus brings the salvation.  In six words to reassure all struggling believers that they are in the hands of One who has come to rescue them.  Now that’s a message for our stressed out, lonely, confused world if ever I’ve heard one. And what does the message invite you to do? To read on. To consider these things and maybe - just maybe - give your whole life to embracing Immanuel.

Question for reflection

You have been invited into the ancient, unstoppable arc of God’s grace. How do you feel about that?