The Right Lineage

January 15

(Luke 3:23-38 NIV) “He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli, {24} the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melki, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, {25} the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, {26} the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, {27} the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, {28} the son of Melki, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, {29} the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, {30} the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, {31} the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, {32} the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, {33} the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, {34} the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, {35} the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, {36} the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, {37} the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Kenan, {38} the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.”

Early in his gospel, Luke establishes the fact that Jesus had the right lineage to be the Christ. By tracing Christ’s genealogy all the way back to Adam, the first human, Luke testifies that Jesus is the Messiah for more than just Israel. Because God so loved the world, Christ is the Messiah of all humanity. Luke’s genealogy reveals a God who often works through average people to accomplish His glorious purpose. It also reminds us that God keeps records. Our lives matter and God knows our names. Many in Luke’s day believed that God reserved His blessing for only a select few. Some still believe this. But the lineage of Jesus contains the names of regular people, some who lived very questionable lives. Yet they were used by God in His plan to redeem humanity. This means there is hope for all of us. God can use us in spite of our flaws. You have the right lineage. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day