The List

According to Matthew's recording of the Gospel story, Jesus' genealogy consists of a total of 47 names.* Four of them are women. Of the 47 names, I am familiar with 23 of them. That is less than half the total. Of the 23 with whom I am knowledgeable, very little is said of 6 of them. Most, but not all of this list consists of The Messianic linage. The others like Zara and Urias are on the list are there because they are a part of the story. They are important because they are linked to the story, not to the Messiah's ancestry. Who was Azor, and what did he do? Solomon I know; but who was Akim, and what did he do? As the Christmas Season begins, I am reflecting upon matters pertaining to the birth of Christ. In so during, I began to consider our roll in God's Master Plan and our contentment, or the lack thereof, in letting God decide who becomes simply a person mentioned in the story or one who 'stands out' as renown, and plays a large roll in the unveiling of God's Great Plan for mankind. And so I am forced to ask myself a few questions. Am I okay with relative invisibility with no one knowing my name? Are I okay with being someone name Ram or Shealtiel or Mattan? Am I happy with who I am and the purpose for which God has chosen for me? Are I willing to let God decide? My thoughts regarding this list are simple, but as I meditated upon this list I was moved and stirred by the fact that each person in the Messianic linage contributed by procreating equally down through the centuries and eventually brought forth the Master Plan of God. Each of them was vital whether their name was Nahshon or David, Tamar or Ruth, Elihud or Judah. May we be counted among those who simply do what the Lord told and led us to do with little regard for what great things others might be doing. May our names hold firmly to their place on God's listing whether or not they ever grace the pages of any literary piece. Indeed, may we anticipate our names being in the Lamb's Book of Life. Relative to the Christmas Season, in January as we look back toward Christmas and the needy, may it be said of us, "They have done what they could". ** 11262017 PS *KJV **Mark 14:8