Messiah, Son of Abraham

Scripture             Matthew 1:1-17, Genesis 12:1-3   
Focus Verse        Matthew 1:1
An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

God tells Abraham that all the families of the earth will be blessed by his descendants.  When Matthew calls Jesus the son of Abraham, it is his way of saying Jesus is the Messiah of all people, not just the people of Israel.  God will deliver ALL those who call upon the Name above all Names!

Throughout history, heroes are generally defined by their association with powerful, prestigious, and wealthy men, especially male ancestors.  And yet, Matthew chooses to include women in the genealogy of Jesus, and not just any women but “foreign women,” which is even more unusual. And these women, just like King David, were notorious sinners but also just like King David accomplished great things for the kingdom.  Shocking!  It is rather humbling to know that without them, the genealogical line would have been broken.    

Reflection:  How does it make you feel to know that God calls sinners as well as saints, and aren’t we all a little bit of both all at the same time?   What do you think about God’s intention to bless ALL people of the world, not just some “good” people?

I found a little song called "Some Children See Him," sung by James Taylor this year that really spoke into the depths of my soul.  One of the famous "Burt Carols" written in 1950, at first I wasn't sure it was appropriate to share in today's world, it often offends people to talk in different ways about diversity.  But as I researched the song, I found an article (Gloria Gaither, 2011) in which she talks about purity in the way "children embrace the baby Jesus, seeing Him as being just like them. The innocent acceptance of a fellow child actually is full of meaning for the rest of us, as children seem to know that God came to be like them so that they could be like Him ... insights of children hold profound truths that are eclipsed by our adult sophistication."  And may we ALL be filled and blessed by this wisdom of the depths of God's love in Jesus Christ!  

Prayer: Breathing “The Jesus Prayer”       
Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places.  You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing.  And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ...

Blessed Are You!

Scripture                     Luke 1:26-45
Focus Verse                Luke 1:42, 45
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb … blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

Before she did anything else or told anyone else, Mary went on a journey (some sources say it took her around 9 days) to see her relative Elizabeth, whom the Angel had told her was pregnant in her “old” age.  Mary needed to see the truth of the miracle of Elizabeth’s pregnancy.  It isn’t unusual to say yes, then wonder what we’ve gotten ourselves into.

The greeting Mary receives does not disappoint, blessed 3 times she was! The word blessing means “having received something of value from someone as a sign of the respect or grace they feel toward you.”  Once again, we see how God must have loved and trusted Mary to have called her to such a bittersweet task … the joy of motherhood but the angst of suffering!  Well, that is the journey of every parent!

Reflection: Who showers you with blessings during difficult times in your life?  Who affirms God’s hand in your life?  How does that strengthen you for your continuing journey?

If music is a pathway for you, here is a lovely little arrangement called, "Blessed are you among Women" by StillSong. 

Prayer: Breathing “The Jesus Prayer”         
Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places.  You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing.  And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ...