By Ryan Kelly –

Lineage gives us proof of God’s grace throughout generations. Despite the ugly sin of our past, God can and does work despite our shortcomings and brings us to perfection through the blood of Jesus

This is the highlight that bridges the Old and New Testsment in Matthew 1 with the lineage of Jesus. Specifically, the last 14 versus references the time of the exile of the Israelites up to the birth of Jesus. This time is a direct reflection of our exile outside of the Garden of Eden. It puts us as truly “in the world but not of the world.”  This world is not our home…we are in exile. 

But, the good news is where Matthew 1 concludes. 

Jesus is coming for us all.  John 14:3 states, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” 

Jesus came once to die for our sins and to conquer death, and He will come again to finish off all evil and to create to New Jerusalem for His people.   So rejoice, for Scripture is clear that God has already shown how the end will come…and it will be a great revival and time of celebration for all who know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.