When we open the Gospel of Matthew we are greeted not by a story but by a list of names. At first glance the genealogy in Matthew 1 may seem ordinary. Yet behind these names stand stories filled with the grace of God. Matthew does something surprising by including four women in a genealogy that usually focuses on men. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba appear as bright testimonies of God’s mercy and faithfulness. What makes their presence even more striking is that all four were gentiles. They were outsiders brought near by the gracious plan of God. Each of these women carried a past that others might have judged. Tamar endured injustice. Rahab lived with a reputation that seemed beyond redemption. Ruth came from a nation known for idolatry. Bathsheba suffered through sorrow and shame. Yet God placed each one in the family line of the Messiah. He wrote their stories into the story of His Son. Their presence in this genealogy shows that Jesus came to bring hope to the broken and to welcome the outsider. Today we will look at these four beautiful ladies and see how their inclusion prepares us to celebrate the grace that Jesus brings to us. Series: The Characters of ChristmasScripture: Matthew 1:1-17Speaker: Pastor David Hallett

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