Based on Matthew 1 (New King James Version)
“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon. And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’ So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.’ Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.”
We should realize quite clearly that we need some sort of refuge or security superior to us by seeing that we are in a world where lies are the rule, and where we cannot trust in very much, where there is so much deceit and taking advantage of. Every person, by virtue of being human (a limited being with many vulnerabilities), needs to put their trust on something or on someone so they can literally be able to survive.
It is hard for many people to trust in things or in people outside of themselves because important things and people in the past failed them at some point. And to explain better, we are not talking about a failure from a parent that involved saying something inappropriate or painful, because it would be illogical or unfair to punish them, per se, because a person said something wrong or committed a mistake in a given moment, and to dismiss all of their sacrifice over something like that. Some sons and daughters try to punish their mother or father when something does not come out right, or a mistake is committed. The duty of a father or mother with their child, before God (which goes beyond what society teaches) is to give them what is necessary like: love, shelter, food, clothes, care, advice, and protection, while they become adults (and Biblically, a person is an adult when they are 20, because they were able to go to war, although many were kings of Israel and Judah much sooner than that; so, it really varies). But, nonetheless, after becoming an adult, a parent does not owe their children absolutely nothing else. They don’t owe them at any point of their life designer clothes, or cars, or entertainment, or trips, or college careers, or help after they get married, or anything else. And if a parent has given you what is necessary, within their limits, and they commit a mistake, and you despise them, it is punishable before the eyes of God, and the only thing that you are doing is shortening your lifespan, as it is written: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12. So then, what we are talking about has to do with real faults and failures, with deep and harsh wounds, not superficial stuff. And that’s why it is very difficult for many people to trust, and they turn their faith towards themselves, or to other people, or to things that they cling on to along the way that can also fail just as much or even more than their parents.
Now then, if we are wise and logical, we should realize that we need to trust in something or someone that is immovable, in something or someone firm, stable, and lasting. If we observe everything that surrounds us, and even ourselves for a moment, we should realize that it would not be very wise to put our trust on something temporary, because everything here is temporal and fallible. Money can leave quite easily. Power is an illusion. Fame can last but an instant. Our health can change in a moment. Our loved ones can fail us even by accident, without any ill intention, because they are just as fallible and imperfect as we are. So then, where can we put our trust? What or Who has demonstrated qualities of faithfulness and security? And here is where our God comes in.
God is faithful. How do we know this? Do you have anything to do with the world’s rotation? Is it man that causes the sun to rise and to set every day? Do you have any control over your lungs and the beating of your heart? Who allows for you to live at this very moment? These are only a few examples of things that you or others have no control over. God is in all of them. In today’s passage, we saw God’s faithfulness throughout the generations, by fulfilling His promise. For starters, God does not lie, as it is written: “And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that He should repent.” 1 Samuel 15:29. And He has the power to do impossible things, as it is also written: “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.” Psalm 33:11. And He promised this centuries before it happened: “So the Lord God said to the serpent: ‘Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.’” Genesis 3:14-15. “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14. And finally, God does not change, as it is written: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8.
If God does things for us that no one else can, at every moment, things that are out of the control of man, and He has even made a way for salvation by fulfilling His promise, through Jesus Christ, then, you can trust Him. He is unlike everyone else, even us; He is faithful. So, have you been able to understand and appreciate God’s faithfulness which transcends time, and that it lasts for all eternity? Lord bless! John