Matthew’s challenging story detailing the grandmothers of Christmas and the Grace of God is alive with meaning for us today even if hidden in supposedly dry genealogy. Matthew 1:1-7
The commentary on these verses from the Life Application Bible acknowledges that these grandmothers varied considerably, as did the men in the genealogy, "in personality, spirituality and experience. Some were heroes of the faith like … Ruth (From the book of Ruth)…Others had shady reputations like Rahab (Joshua 2) and Tamar.(Genesis 38)" The 4th grandmother was called the wife of Uriah. (2 Samuel 11-12) And a careful reading tells us that all 4 of these women are foreigners. Ruth a Moabite, Rahab and Tamar Canaanites, and the wife of Uriah, probably like him a Hittite.
But all were used by God as ancestors of Jesus. This is the Grace of God at work to accomplish His ends. This is the message that anyone can be used by God for His purposes despite anything that has gone on in the past and in all cases not understanding the ultimate destiny of their issue. This challenges us to be open to the works of grace around us and not disparage but recognize God at work amongst us.
But there is more. And I am taking these ideas from Raymond Bakke’s book "Biblical Word for an Urban World" which has a compelling message for us even in the not as urban areas of our society. In the short form that message is, "Jesus not only shed His blood for the world; He inherited that blood from the world."p54.
It’s thus not enough to focus on the mother of Jesus, we need to recognize the grandmothers and the grandfathers and realize Jesus is from the world for the world. "Matthew wants us to know that the Christmas story is about an Asian-born Jesus who became an African refugee…about an intercontinental migrant … who was born in a borrowed barn, lived in Africa, returned to be killed as a criminal and buried in a borrowed grave, but who rose from the dead and is now the triumphal Savior of the world." P56
At the very least these grandmother’s tell us to nurture any child for what he or she may become and not from where they came from. And it’s from the first months and even before birth that loving, touching, holding, cuddling, singing, reading, talking, playing take the natural genes in the brain and provide the stimulation that allows it’s optimum development. See the Positive Parenting Kit of the Children’s Trust Fund. 1-800-262-9922 for more information on this aspect of the thought for the week.
Past Weeks "Thought for the Week"
"God of the Nighttime" 10/23/2000
"God of the Wilderness" 11/6/2000
"We wish to see Jesus" 11/13/2000
"Thanksgiving Meditation" 11/20/2000