Jesus’ Family

Every family has a number of great folks and, inevitably, a few odd balls and crackpots.  My grandfather was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows club.  That may clear up some doubts for more than a few of you.  “But, certainly”, we should think, “the Son of God would have nothing but stellar citizens in His earthly genealogy.”  That isn’t exactly true, though.  In fact, He had a few rogues.

The genealogy given in Matthew is Jesus’ genealogy through Joseph’s side of the family.  A Jewish rabbi would need a full genealogy to be taken seriously. 

Matthew begins with Abraham.  While Abraham is certainly a hero of the faith and the one who God used to begin the Hebrew family, he was no angel.  He was called directly by God out of the land of Ur to a place he didn’t know.  Abraham was told he was to leave his kindred and his father’s house and just go (Gen. 12:1).  So, he was to leave his family – except his wife, I assume – and head out no doubt to learn on God alone. In verse 4 of Genesis chapter 12, we see Abraham is accompanied by Lot, his nephew, so the family member thing didn’t happen. 

Abraham took Sarah, his wife to Egypt and lied to Pharaoh saying Sarah was just his sister.  Pharaoh nearly slept with her because of this, but the lie was found out.  Abraham did the same thing again later with King Abilelech and was found out.  From Genesis chapter 12 to chapter 22, we see Abraham continually disobeying God.  He even slept with Sarah’s servant and had a son by her against God’s promise. Abraham was no gem.

Then there is Isaac in Jesus’ genealogy.  Isaac pulled the same stunt Abraham did with the King Abimelech of his time, probably the previous king’s son.  Isaac claimed his wife, Rebekah, was his sister for fear the king would kill him to gain the beautiful Rebekah.  He was found out like his father.

Next we have Jacob, a scheemer who talked his older brother into selling his birthright to him for a pot of stew. 

Then there is Tamar who disguised herself as a harlot persuading Judah to have a son with her since he would not allow his youngest son to marry her and give her a son as the Law commanded.

There’s also Rahab the harlot who hid the Israelite spies in Jerico and Ruth, the gentile from Moab who came to Israel with her mother in-law Naomi.

Later we have Bathsheba who with King David committed adultery.  Her name isn’t even mentioned, only as the “wife of Uriah” who David murdered.

There are a lot of other folks in this family, but you can see the point.  There are foul ups and screw balls in every family including Jesus’ family.

Why is this important?

Abraham, even with his twelve chapters of sins, was called God’s friend.  David, an adulterer and murderer, was the apple of God’s eye. All these characters were favored by God.  Four of them: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Rahab are mentioned in the “Hall of Faith” of chapter 11 of Hebrews as great examples to us. Why? Because they repented and wanted to please God.

Our lives are a struggle.  Our dedication to God is what matters.  God is more interested in our hearts than our acts.  Forgiveness is available for those who want it.  If there is great sin in our lives we feel unworthy, and we are.  But, God loves unworthy people and draws them into His family.  If you feel you’ve had too much sin in your life, look at the people in Jesus’ family and how God used them greatly.  He will do the same for you.