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Just a Side Note?

In deciding where to start reading for my time in the Bible this week, I finally settled on starting to read through the gospels again.  It never gets old and there is always something that stands out to me in new or different ways.  So I opened to Matthew 1.

In the Bible Study I've been leading, we're studying Ruth and last week we read a portion of the genealogy of Christ to decipher where she played a part in Jesus's family.  So instead of skipping over it like I have done in the past, I decided to carefully read each name.  And I'm so glad I did.

Four women made the list with side notes explaining their presence.  Of course, genealogy lists only usually listed the men of the family.  Each family is listed by the Patriarch.  BUT, these four women: Rahab, Ruth, Uriah's wife (Bathsheba) and Mary, were added as side notes.

I'm guessing it was to show God's grace and how he used these women in history and in their families.  But look closely. 

Rahab or (Rachab) is not the same Rahab who was the prostitute who helped the spies in Jericho.  Actually, there is very little that I could find about her which made her more interesting to me.  She didn't have to have some huge back story, some big name.  But, she was important to the Lord's genealogy.  And she was worthy of a side note.  

Ruth was a great side note.  What a strong, loyal woman!  SHE is the kind of woman you'd expect to see in the lineage of Christ!

Oh, then we come to Uriah's wife, Bathsheba.  It is unclear whether she willingly had a part in cheating on her husband, but it was clear that King David knowingly called her to him and she became pregnant.  Soon after, David had Uriah placed in the front lines of battle so he'd die and David could marry Bathsheba.  His plan succeeded and he'd marry her, but that child would die soon after birth.  She would later give birth to Solomon, one of the wisest men in history.  

Scandal on Jesus's family tree!

Then we get to Mary, the ultimate of all side notes!  I don't need to explain HER significance in the genealogy of Christ.

Reading about all of these women and these four women, one thought came to me:  I want to be a side note in Jesus's family tree, even a side note with little known about her like Rahab.

I want to live a life that makes a difference for Christ.  I want to impact the lives around around me to guide them to Christ...guide them TO the cross, THE ULTIMATE TREE.  

I don't need glory and fame.  I think I'd rather stick to being a side note.  I want to stick close to Christ.  I want to love people like He loves me.  I want to show His compassion.  And, I hope others see Christ in me.

What an amazing opportunity we are given to be a part of God's family!  What an amazing family tree to get to grow on and learn from!  I love that His tree is full of real humans who faced real circumstances and made huge mistakes.  And I love that HIS love reached to them, offering them forgiveness and compassion and the opportunity to keep going.  God embraces us, imperfections and all, and gives us a coveted place on His tree.


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