“This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham:
2 Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar). Perez was the father of Hezron. Hezron was the father of Ram. 4 Ram was the father of Amminadab. Amminadab was the father of Nahshon. Nahshon was the father of Salmon. 5 Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth).” Matthew 1:1-5 NLT
Lord God,
Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers (all 11). Such a small sentence but for those of us who have read his biography in Genesis, it is a long and a very riveting read. The history of living with the in-laws and marrying the older sister first. The history of returning with two wives, two maidservant wives, twelve children and many, many spotted and striped sheep. To return and make peace and live with the brother he had cheated! Having a favourite son himself, leading to more trouble . . . but God again bringing good out of bad. And more.
I would have thought it would be Joseph who was next in Jesus family tree. But no, it is Judah, the fourth son. And then through a child born with his daughter in law, and the first born of twins. You ordained Judah to be the next in line. You call who You will.
Perhaps Jacob, Judah’s father had a God inkling because in his old age he prophesied, “The sceptre will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs the one whom all nations will honor. He ties his foal to a grapevine, the colt of his donkey to a choice vine. He washes his clothes in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes.” (Genesis 49:10-11).
The sceptre, like the one seen in Esther, opens the only way to approach the King. Jacob speaks of the coming of the one to whom it belongs. Jesus is our sceptre, the only way we can approach You, God. It speaks of a future King riding into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey (Matthew 21:5). The wine and the blood of grapes reminding us of Jesus death and shed blood. We cannot always see in the present Your hand in history, but looking back we are reassured it is there and always will be.
Help us to see and be assured that the future is not random. You were in the past, have gone before and are preparing the future, and are working out Your will in the present. Even if we cannot always see or understand. Thank You. You are our beginning and end, You are the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 22:13).
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Lord God,
For our family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for.
Thank You for our forefathers and those to come in our family.
For our Christian family and the plans for Christmas in our churches to draw in new people.
For our king and His family and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government and wise judgements for the future and the present.
For Ukraine and Russia. A miraculous end to war.
For all the conflict in the Middle East to ceasefire and find an end to the conflicts.
For all those we hear about in the news affected by murder and violence. Those living in fear.
For families good health in our neighbourhood that they hear the gospel this season.
For the new born, growing up in a changing world. That they will hear the gospel and respond.
For us to know we were planned, loved and wanted by You and our life has meaning and purpose.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 3rd December 2024
ALLELUIA, sing to Jesus,
His the sceptre, his the throne;
Alleluia, his the triumph,
His the victory alone:
Hark the songs of peaceful Sion
Thunder like a mighty flood;
Jesus, out of every nation,
Hath redeemed us by his blood.
Alleluia, not as orphans
Are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia, he is near us,
Faith believes, nor questions how;
Though the cloud from sight received him
When the forty days were o’er,
Shall our hearts forget his promise,
‘I am with you evermore’?
Alleluia, Bread of Angels,
Thou on earth our food, our stay;
Alleluia, here the sinful
Flee to thee from day to day;
Intercessor, Friend of sinners,
Earth’s Redeemer, plead for me,
Where the songs of all the sinless
Sweep across the crystal sea.
Alleluia, King eternal,
Thee the Lord of lords we own;
Alleluia, born of Mary,
Earth thy footstool, heaven thy throne:
Thou within the veil hast entered,
Robed in flesh, our great High Priest;
Thou on earth both Priest and Victim
In the Eucharistic Feast.
Lyrics: William Dix