Matthew 1 Old testament or New.. it's all about Jesus! As I move from the book of Exodus to the book of Matthew, from  the completion of the first tabernacle in Exodus.. to the birth of "Immanuel.. God with us".  I rejoice in what an amazing God we serve!  He has always desired to dwell with us.. His people.. His children.. and He always makes a way. 

In Matthew 1 we are given the genealogy of Jesus from Abraham to Joseph, the husband of Mary.  It is always precious to me that Matthew includes "Rahab" who married Salmon and gave birth to Boaz and Ruth the Moabitess who married Boaz and gave birth to Obed,  nor does he forget Solomon's mother, "who had been the wife of Uriah".  It is a powerful reminder that God looks at the heart.. always.  

There are some on this list that we would like to leave off... like Rehoboam, the son of Soloman.. for he was not a good man or a good king..but, they are included none-the-less.  Just as we may look back at our own genealogies and wonder how God brought us to become the people we are.. and the grace that He has poured out on us that we should be His. 

Matthew gives us the brief version of Mary and Joseph's story. They were betrothed. She was "found to be with child by the Holy Spirit".  Joseph was kind and would have "put her away secretly"; but he was given a dream that changed his life.. " Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit". 

The Son  would be called "Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins." The begotten Son of God, "Immanuel" is God, the Word made flesh who came to dwell among us.. with us.. in us.. so that we could behold His glory "the glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth". (John 1:14)

Father, as You once filled the tabernacle in the wilderness.. You sent Your Spirit to fill all who will believe in Jesus Christ, Your only begotten Son.  How thankful we are for Your compassion and grace.. Your abundant lovingkindness.. that You would make a way for us to have forgiveness for our sins and righteousness through our Savior.  May our hearts stay yielded to Your Spirit and our eyes stay fixed on Jesus. Amen.