In the third sermon of the "Cracking the Christmas Code" series, titled Christmas Is More About Family Than You Realize, we delve into the extraordinary family history of Jesus and discover profound truths about what it means to be part of God’s family.
Matthew 1:18 says, “This is how Jesus the Messiah was born,” and the verses that follow introduce us to a family tree filled with liars, cheaters, prostitutes, adulterers, murderers, and individuals with every kind of broken reputation. From Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38) to Rahab (Joshua 6) to David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11), the lineage of Jesus is anything but perfect. Yet, this messy family tree is part of God’s perfect plan to show us that His grace makes room for everyone.
The birth of Jesus itself takes place in a complex family context. Matthew 1:18-25 highlights the faith of Mary and Joseph as they navigate the miraculous and scandalous reality of Jesus’ conception. Joseph’s decision to adopt Jesus as his own son mirrors the way God adopts us into His family. The knots in Jesus’ family tree reveal a powerful truth: no matter what your story is, there is room for you in God’s family.
Through Jesus, God invites us to be honest about our own family history and to embrace His transformative love. Jesus went from the manger to the cross to bring us into God’s household—a family called the Church. As Ephesians 2:19 declares, “You are members of God’s very own family… and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.” This Christmas, discover how Jesus’ family story connects with yours and what it truly means to be part of God’s eternal family.
