Does God give us a second chance? Today some people like to do research in their family tree maybe in hopes of finding someone important, famous, or rich. However, we might find some pretty notorious characters we wish we hadn’t found. But look at the lineage of Jesus Christ. It was one of the most messed-up family trees of all time. Recorded in Matthew 1 and Luke 3, it included a prostitute, deceivers, adultery, liars, and even murder. This is the genealogy of Jesus and it is the grace of God on display.
Normally, Jewish genealogies did not include women, but in Matthew we find Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and of course, Mary. While there were those who we could want to claim as our descendants, several of them were immoral. This reminds us that Jesus came to heal broken lives and restore shattered hopes. We’re not perfect and like some of them could use a second chance.
I like the way Paul put it in Romans 8:1-2, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” We are no longer defined by who we used to be or what we once did. Instead, we’re defined by what the Lord has done for us. Yes, God gives us a second chance through Jesus Christ no matter our family tree or what we may have done ourselves.
Yours In Christ,
Rev. David Edgar
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