
This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham.
Matthew 1:1
One of the things I love about Matthew 1 is the record of Jesus’ ancestors.
It includes Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and Solomon, but it also includes Rahab, the prostitute, who was mother of Boaz (David’s great-grandfather), Ruth, the foreigner, who was the mother of Obed (David’s grandfather), and Bathsheba, the woman with whom David had an affair. And God called David a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:!4)
Why does it matter? Because God sent Jesus to be the Savior of all people . . . Jews, Gentiles, men, and women!
It doesn’t matter who or what is part of your past – God uses all kinds of people to accomplish His purposes. He uses ordinary people to do His will on earth.
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
Matthew 1:23
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call Him Immanuel,
which means ‘God is with us.’”
He even used a poor teenage girl and her human ancestors to form His Son into the God/Man Word Made Flesh!
How to Leave a Legacy of Love

I love Stephen Covey’s quote:
“Live, laugh, love, and leave a legacy.”
I’ve added a few words to make it my own…
Live with joy.
Laugh often and enthusiastically.
Love God, friends, and family with a full heart.
Leave a legacy that glorifies God!
The Psalmist said it this way:
We were filled with laughter,
Psalm 126:2–3
and we sang for joy.
And the other nations said,
“What amazing things
the Lord has done for them.”
Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us!
What joy!
So, let’s pray and ask God to help us “live, laugh, love, and leave a legacy” all for His glory!
Father, thank you for using ordinary people to accomplish Your plans and purposes. Thank you for showing us how valuable every person on the planet is to You.
You lift up people of all races. You show Your love and care for women and men. You call every one of us to repentance and freedom that we might be made new and receive beautiful opportunities by Your grace, to leave a legacy of laughter and love that gives You glory!
This is my prayer, Lord, to bring to You my failures and flaws in humble repentance and to surrender my life to You as an offering of my love. I give myself to You. Please help me live every moment of my life for Your glory and leave a lasting legacy of Your love! Amen.

Friend, whatever your ancestry looks like . . . God’s grace is sufficient to put His mark on it to help you from this moment on leave a legacy of love for His glory.
Write the following on a post-it note to help you remember:
Today, I will leave a legacy of love.
God bless you today and throughout the year ahead!
Thank you so much for joining me today.
And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.
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