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I’ve been reading some good news and I must share it! Jesus is not ashamed to call me His sister! (Hebrews 2:11) He identifies with me in my temptations, my weaknesses, and my trials. Although sinless, Jesus lived as a human here on earth so He could know first hand what it is like. He identifies with me and relates to my experiences. In Matthew 1:1-17, where Jesus’ genealogy is recorded, I see how closely Jesus identifies with me. Usually just the fathers and sons are mentioned in the Bible lists, but here I found several women’s names. Not just women, but sinners!
Tamar, the daughter-in-law of Judah, was widowed twice over, than set aside without the fulfillment of Judah’s promise to give her to his next son. So she schemed up a plan and played the part of a harlot. Judah’s wife had died and he went to bed with Tamar. She conceived twins and one of the boys, Perez, is in the genealogy of Jesus.
Rahab was a harlot living in Jericho, who accepted the power of God as real and desired salvation. When Jericho was destroyed Joshua spared Rahab the harlot, her father’s household, and all that she had. She lived with the Israelities and married Salmon. They had a son named Boaz.
Ruth, a foreigner from Moab, married an Israelite man who soon died, leaving her a widow. Choosing to leave her people, and follow the God of her mother-in-law, Ruth returned to Bethlehem with Naomi. God’s plan for Ruth included marriage to Boaz and their baby boy Obed grew up to be King David’s grandpa.
Bathsheba isn’t mentioned by name, but it reads “her who had been the wife of Uriah”. She was the mother of Solomon, and thus in the linage of Christ. She did as David wished, was then widowed, and her son died in infancy. Despite the mistakes of her life God blessed her with a special son who became the wisest and richest king of Israel.
As I read these women’s names, finally coming to Mary, Jesus’ mother, I thought about how Jesus isn’t ashamed to be related to these women, who include harlots. This passage speaks to me of how Jesus identifies with fallen humanity and the desperate need we have for love, acceptance, and belonging. Jesus is touched by the feelings of our infirmities; He sympathizes with our weaknesses. (Heb. 4:15)
I read in Psalm 103:11-14 “For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.”
Not only does Jesus relate to me, He loves me. So does His Father. The glorious news is that when I accept Jesus as my Saviour I am adopted by His Father and become His child. With Christ I am an heir in the linage of Abraham and David! It doesn’t matter what I’ve done, Jesus wants me in His family!
Pointing to all for whom He gave His life Jesus says, “Whoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Matt. 12:50) There is a family connection and spiritual sharing with the very heart of God through Jesus, our brother. I am awed by the love of a Man who wants an intimate relationship with me, a Man who is not ashamed of my past, nor of my failures. His love is unconditional and everlasting!
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