2017 Worship Guide

2017 WORSHIP GUIDE Wednesday, December 6, 2017 LINCOLN DAILY NEWS PUBLICATION Page 11 It continues with the legitimate heir to the promise – Isaac. Isaac grew up to be a fine, obedient son to Abraham, but a terrible dad to his own sons and played favorites, preferring Esau over his brother Jacob. And Jacob, the next name in the list, knew this all too well. It led him to a life of trickery, always trying to get the upper hand. You’d think he might have learned from his father’s bad example, but he had his favorites among his sons – and his wives, too. And we’re just getting warmed up. The family tree includes the likes of David, the great king and great sinner with Bathsheba. She gets a mention, too, along with some other women like a foreigner, Ruth, who grew up worshiping idols in Moab and a “business” woman named Rahab. Then there are also a whole slew of other kings descended from David. Some were shining stars who led the people in paths of righteousness. Others were like black holes who drew the nation into the depths of unthinkable sins like sacrificing their own children in the fire. So there you go. That’s where Matthew begins his account of the Christ story - with the rich and poor, famous and infamous, sinner-and-saint-filled family God chose for His only begotten Son. That ought to fill us with wonder! I mean, really? Couldn’t God have planted a better family tree for Jesus to be grafted into? Yet somehow, in His almighty wisdom it made sense to make room in Jesus’ CONTINUED ....