Matthew 1:1-3a
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, …
Judah was the many times great grandfather of King David and of Jesus’ adopted father Joseph. But he wasn’t a good father or father-in-law. Tamar was Judah’s daughter in law. Her husband, Judah’s son, died. Because of Judah's neglect, Tamar thought her best bet for having children was to pose as a prostitute and tempt Judah. And, to everyone’s shame, it worked! Judah became the father, by Tamar, of the twins Perez and Zerah.
And God chose these people to be Jesus’ ancestors. It doesn’t take much digging to find crazy stories in your life or your family’s history. I take great comfort that God chose to work through such a messed up family. He chose to give us this Son not because we deserve Him, but because we don’t.
Prayer prompt: Lord, thank You for loving sinners like us.