JUST FOR YOU

 The Scriptures tell us that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified (Romans 8:28-30). This speaks to God’s ability to save to the uttermost those whom He has chosen; those who come to God believing that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him; His willingness to do so and His faithfulness in doing so. To this extent we see four women who were unlikely candidates of honor; receiving honorable mention in the genealogy of Jesus. (1) Rahab a Canaanites and a harlot, (2) Tamar the daughter-in-law of Judah, who played the harlot, (3) Ruth the Moabites and (4) Bathsheba the wife of Uriah. With her David committed adultery. They who according to the Oracles of God were not worthy to be included in the Congregation of Israel; had been so included by a God who predestinated them to positions of honor; and having so predestinated them He called them, justified them and glorified them; having them named in the Genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-16). Rahab and Ruth were originally strangers to the Commonwealth of Israel. Rahab belong to a people destined to be driven out from before Israel so Israel could possess their lands. All the inhabitants of Jericho were destroyed except Rahab and her household (Joshua 6). She, an harlot whose transgressions were punishable by death, was however grafted into the family of Israel and became a fore-parent to King David. Ruth the Moabites was from a people banned from entering into the Congregation of Israel to their tenth generations (Deuteronomy 23: 3) also became a great, great grandmother of King David (Ruth 1-4). Tamar played a harlot and was solicited by her father-in-law Judah. She became pregnant by him and bore him two sons (twins) Pharez and Zarah (Genesis 38). Both Tamar and her son Pharez are named in the genealogy by Matthew with Pharez also named in the genealogy by Luke (3:33). Finally we see Bathsheba the wife of Uriah the Hittite committing adultery with David the King. When she became pregnant and informed David, he tried his best to have Uriah father the child; but when that failed he had Uriah murdered. He then took Bathsheba and made her his wife. She became the mother of Solomon (11 Samuel 11-12). These women by God’s Grace were involved in the life and lineage of King David to whom the promise of the kingdom of the Messiah was given; and that Christ would inherit the throne of his father David (Luke 1:32). Three were David’s fore-parents and one was his wife. Although the names of many kings are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus; David is the only one identified therein as a king; and he is the only man of whom God testified that he is: a man after God’s own heart. David’s blemishes of murderer and adulterer were enough, that he should not be found worthy to be named the father of our Lord Jesus; but as it was God’s pleasure to give him the Kingdom; God was faithful in His promise, even to fulfill it. Their lives were marks of humiliation put upon our Lord Jesus in that he should descended from such ones who had such deep scarring. His decent from them is of particular remark, they being included in his genealogy; no veil been drawn over their transgressions. He took upon him the likeness of sinful flesh taking great sinners into the closest and dearest relation with himself. These who should otherwise have brought shame to the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; instead had their heads lifted up above all reproach and placed in positions of honor among men; signifying that in Jesus Christ there is neither Greek, nor Jew; and that those who are strangers and foreigners, the vilest of sinners; are all welcome to the Citizenship Of The Saints in Christ Jesus. He transcends all to save them; and is able to save them to the uttermost.

It may be that you don’t believe: that you are worthy to become a son of the Most High God; that God could ever love you because of all you have done; or maybe you really don’t believe in this Jesus who some people seem so crazy about; but you are still trying to find that inner joy and peace that they seem to have and enjoy so much. May be you are unsure of where you are in all of this. If you are like any of the people mentioned above or worse than all of them put together: God is waiting for you, to give you that joy and peace. His power to forgive and save is beyond measure. Learn more about Him and get to know Him for yourself, through His Son the Lord Jesus. Get to experience His love in a personal way; for God so love you that He sent Jesus Christ; His only begotten Son, that if you believe on him you should not perish but have everlasting life. What shall you then say to these things? If God be for you, who can be against you? Try Jesus today. He transcends all, JUST FOR YOU: laws, commandments, principalities, powers, dominions, authority, kingdoms, times and seasons. Nothing shall be able to separate you from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Love you. Be blessed.

W. Bennett