This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah (Christ) the son of David, the son of Abraham: Matthew 1:1 NIV

Pam I had the opportunity to visit our parents this weekend including a couple of our children and two of our grandchildren. We took family pics like the one shown above. Four generations of Rogers’ men. While standing together my son David turned to his son and asked, “Do you know how you got your last name Rogers?” David pointed to Davis’ great grandpa Taylor, then to me, then to himself and finally to Davis. Davis, age 4, then spelled verbally R-O-G-E-R-S.

This first verse in Matthew says a mouthful concerning the genealogy of Jesus. Spoiler alert, for all of those who become followers of Jesus, you have been grafted into this genealogy. So who are the first 3 names mentioned and what is their significance? Today we will address Abraham and work our way backward over the next two weeks.

Abraham – Ab means “father” and ram means “lifted or exalted” God changed Abram’s name to Abraham which means “father of multitudes.” God asked Abram to leave his father’s house and country and move to a new land which would be the home of his future descendants, modern day Israel. God told Abraham his descendants would be as numerous as the stars and the sand.

Abram believed God even though he and his wife had no children and were beyond the age of childbearing. His trusting belief in God’s word to him is noted in Genesis, “Abram believed the Lord and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Genesis 15:6. When Abram was 100 years old, his wife Sarah bore him a son called Isaac, the child of promise. From Genesis 12 through the rest of the Bible, we see the unfolding of Abraham’s lineage, culminating in the person of Jesus Christ and his impact upon the world.

The essential “calling” of Abram by God is of utmost importance for us. Genesis 12:1-3 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” 

As a descendant of Abram, Jesus became the ultimate fulfillment of this blessing. Through his life, death, burial and resurrection, he has provided the path for all people to be blessed. For those who believe God’s message about His son, Jesus, righteousness will be credited to them. For those who fail to submit to God’s authority over their lives, they miss the blessing of eternal life.

As a child of Abraham in being a follower of Jesus, you have a favored status before God. In the same way that God kept His promise to Abraham, God will keep His promises for you. He has promised to never leave you nor forsake you. He has promised to remove your sins from you as far as the east is from the west. He has promised His Spirit to you as a seal and guarantee to fulfill His good work in and through your life.

We sang a song with little children that captures the idea of the blessing for being in Christ, in Abraham.

 Father Abraham had many sons
 And Many sons, has father Abraham
 And I am one of them
 And so are you
 So let’s just praise the Lord….right arm (start swinging)

Jesus was having a discussion with the religious leaders of his day who claimed favored status because of direct lineage. Jesus declared there was more to it.  “Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did. John 8:39 Believing and obey God’s word would become the standard for becoming a true child of Abraham. Those who trust in the truth of Jesus words enter into that relationship.

Believing God’s word to you is the important key. Belief was proven by obedience. Abraham followed God’s instructions throughout his life. As a child of Abraham, follow his example and live a life of following God’s leading in your life.

May you be blessed with peace over your thoughts and health over your life during this Christmas season. You ARE A CHILD OF ABRAHAM…by the way.

Blessings Love y’all