What Jesus Did! 'No Hidden Skeletons' — Matthew 1:6-10

Sunday, January 3, 2021

David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah).
Solomon was the father of Rehoboam.
Rehoboam was the father of Abijah.
Abijah was the father of Asa.
Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat.
Jehoshaphat was the father of Jehoram.
Jehoram was the father of Uzziah.
Uzziah was the father of Jotham.
Jotham was the father of Ahaz.
Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah.
Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh.
Manasseh was the father of Amon.
Amon was the father of Josiah.
— Matthew 1:6-10 NLT

Key Thought

Nearly every family has a few skeletons in its closets, and you can find them if you open up enough closets! (For those not familiar with the idiom "skeletons in the closet," it is another way of saying that someone has some bad family secrets and tries to keep them hidden. One of the most significant "skeletons" is Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and the one for whom David lusted, then had Uriah placed in danger so that he died in battle, and finally married her.) As a propaganda piece, the Bible is not very good because it doesn't even try to hide the skeletons — not even in Jesus' family tree. Instead, the Scriptures are brutally honest about the failures of even our greatest Bible heroes. You look through today's verses and you'll find some serious skeletons. It's as if God is saying to us, "If I can bring triumph through them and their failures, just imagine what I can do through you!" I don't know about you, but that surely is encouraging to me. I call this the principle of "Hallelujah anyway!" God's power and grace triumph over our failures.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, I am thankful that your strength is made perfect in weakness. I don't want to stumble or fall in my service to you, but it is very encouraging to know that you have raised so many others up from failure and made them useful and holy to you. Please forgive my sins and empower me to overcome my weaknesses and sin. Thank you for giving me reasons not to give up when I do falter. In the name of Jesus, my atoning sacrifice and hero, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Ephesians 2:8-10
  • 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
  • 1 Timothy 1:15-17

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 1:6-10 NLT — Amon was the father of Josiah.

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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