Advent - God Knows What He's AboutSample

## Unlikely Heritage What is your legacy? Purpose of your life? When we explore today’s text we discover some unlikely people in the family tree of Jesus. Being female, I am going to explore three women. First, Rehab in Matthew 1:5. She was a woman who helped the Jews to conquer her land and protected the two spies and was promised that she and her family would be sparred. Her profession was the oldest one and yet, we see her listed. God does not hold our professions and/or our country of origin against us (as we sometimes judge folk). Second, we see Ruth also mentioned in Matthew 1:5. Ruth was not of their people but converted to their faith after her first husband died and she followed her mother-in-law back to Israel. She was a Moabite. You know one of those dreaded “ites” in the Old Testament. God allowed her to be in the line of Jesus. Lastly, we see in Matthew 1:6 that Solomon was by David and Bathsheba. Their relationship was one of unfaithfulness, cover up, deception and ultimately the murder of her husband. God used their second son to be in the line of Jesus. Therefore, what do we learn from this section of scripture? God has a plan for each of us. He desires our greatest good. If we are faithful, He will use the most unlikely of us. The ones usually ostracized by society. During this season of Advent, let us strive to look with God’s eyes, heart, and not our own. We are all walking wounded and could use kindness and grace. Speak to someone you do not usually speak to. Invite someone new to have coffee, tea or whatever. Get out of your comfort zone a little and love on some of your brothers and sisters. Father, thank you that You do not see us as we are – dirty and broken but through the eyes of our Savior perfect and whole. May we choose to love well in this moment. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Debbie Rosenberger Health Services Coordinator, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor