Matthew01::God With Us

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To be honest with you, geneology just doesn't get my juices flowing and really excited about reading. I knew this day was coming and I knew that the first half of Matthew 1 was a list of names. But today is here and chapter one is now read and there was something that stood out to me.

As I was reading through the geneology, I noticed more names that were unknown than were known. I also noted a hooker, a murderer, adulterers, etc.. Now I know my family is dysfunctional, but last time I checked we weren't that bad. I am sure that if you went back 42 generations in my line there would probably be some of everything. It seems to me that Matthew goes out of his way to show us that Jesus' patriarchal history traces all the way back to David, as prophesied, and to Abraham. When we get to Jesus' birth, we know his matriarchal lineage is short, but no less significant. His mother, a virgin, becomes pregnant "by the Holy Spirit." I don't know how, but I think I believe it. Through Joseph, Matthew relays Jesus' human lineage, but through Mary we discover his divine lineage. Jesus is different, unique, special - human and divine...man AND God.

Then I bump into what caused me to pause today - "Watch for this - a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son; they will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for "God is with us"). 1:23

The One who is both God and Man, the Rescuer for all humanity, the payment for our sins was not "God apart from us" or "God removed from us". He was God WITH us. God's only son became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood (John 1:14). Remember what we say when we catch someone doing something silly and we begin to laugh? They look at us and say, "Don't laugh at me." We reply with, "I'm not laughing AT you, I'm laughing WITH you." The reply is meant to be an identifier. I'm laughing because I've been there, I've done that too. One of the core beliefs of the Christian faith is that God is a PERSONAL GOD. There is no better evidence of this than this passage right here. When our life is out of control, when our future is uncertain, when our marriage is in trouble, Jesus (God is with us). God is not removed from us and uncaring, but in the middle of our concerns, our worries and our anxiety. He loves us and that has been the plan all along.

What about you? What caught your attention today?

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Today I Saw God - at least a pretty good reflection

I am not one given over to mystical illusions by any stretch of the imagination, but today I think I saw God...or at least a pretty close reflection.

"So God created human beings in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." - Genesis 1:27 (TNIV)

Today was one of our "off" weekends from corporate gatherings at the YMCA. We discussed going to a church service somewhere in the area, but in the end, Rhonda went for a bike ride and I hung out with the kids. We played ball, we played karaoke, we wrestled, we played special agents, etc. At one point, I sat in our rocking chair watching them play together and I was reminded of the verse above.

Every other Sunday, I am part of a leadership team that assembles a "production" on Sunday mornings that will hopefully help you, or someone like you, see an accurate reflection of God. We plan the songs, write the messages and get everything set up just right. I've been doing that at different churches for 20 years. Today, I wondered if the whole thing is as simple as pointing him out to people who are just a little distracted.

I mean, I sat in that chair watching my kids play with each other and I felt the presence of God like I haven't felt in a long time. I knew, without a doubt, I was seeing something special. I'll admit, it's not the first time I've watched them play, and I don't always get this feeling. Watching them can also bring me to cussing sometimes...

I know that if seeing an accurate reflection of God this morning meant that I had to miss what I experienced and get dressed, pack up the car, head to a church service somewhere, sing some songs and listen to someone talk to me for 40 minutes, my day would not have been nearly as special as it was. Thank you Garin and Graysen for my great morning with Father!