Listen to Zach and Krista cover this lesson!
Source:
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/p…
We know the beginning of the story of Jesus, but everything from his parentage to his annunciation was unexpected to both those in his day and early readers of the gospels. What happens when God unexpectedly calls on unexpected people to do unexpected things? What happens when he calls you? Study with us in this episode to start finding out!
In studying the genealogy of Jesus (through Joseph) this article was really interesting.
https://www.wycliffe.org/blog/posts/unlikely-heroes-the-women-of-matthew-1
It gave five unlikely women who God used in mighty ways to ultimately bring about the birth of Jesus.
They were . . .
TAMAR: THE SEEKER OF JUSTICE
Judah … said, “She is more righteous than I am …” – Genesis 38:26a, NLT
Tamar’s story is one that would, in our modern time, be branded with a “not safe for work” warning.
RAHAB: THE HARLOT
Out of all the people in Jericho, who would suspect that Rahab — the harlot — would be the one to fear the Lord and keep the Israelite spies safe?
RUTH: THE SACRIFICIAL SERVANT
Ruth had the opportunity to rebuild her life.
Ruth couldn’t have known that by following Naomi she would someday be blessed by being a part of the Messiah’s family. As Hebrews 11:1 states, “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see” (NLT). How often do we practice the kind of faith Ruth had?
BATHSHEBA: THE WIFE OF SOMEONE ELSE
We can learn from Bathsheba that faith is often a result of ordinary people obeying God in spite of their circumstances. Her story teaches us that our lives will not always go according to plan. Unexpected circumstances will arrive, but God is constantly and sovereignly working through those in order to bring about plans that are bigger than us.
MARY: THE UNLIKELY GIRL
A virgin girl was chosen to be the mother of the Savior of the world.
It doesn’t get any more unlikely than that.
What an unexpected thing, for the Messiah to come from a lineage of broken people with broken stories, and ultimately be given life by a virgin girl who was favored by God.
Our own stories might seem unlikely or insignificant. Maybe there are even things in our pasts that we would rather hide than bring into the light. But as evidenced in Matthew 1, Jesus was not afraid to share stories of his family members — even those whose stories were messy or uncomfortable.
How might God use unlikely circumstances in your life to bring about his plans and purpose?
Guest Author
Nick Galieti
dyejo
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