by Bro. Philip Largas
Reading for the day: Matthew 1:1-17
Admit it.
All of us tend to skip the genealogies and the lists of names and tribes throughout the records of our personal Bible reading. I myself am definitely guilty of such a thing. I mean come on, try getting inspirational meditations or encouragement by trying to read an extended list of Hebrew names, many of which we can hardly pronounce!
Sure we see some familiar names like Abraham, Moses, and David, but there are some names that make us want to skip the entire list altogether. I will tell my kids in the future that Santa Clause doesn’t check his lists since he doesn’t want to read the genealogies in the Bible. But then again, Santa Clause isn’t real, so don’t worry, there won’t be any such talk.
But as we all know, everything in the Holy Bible is there for a reason. Down to the last minute detail, the collection of 66 books of the Old and New Testament are there for a purpose, including those lists of names and numbers that we all painstakingly read or just skip altogether.
Interestingly enough, the very start of the Christmas story actually begins with a genealogy. In the account of Matthew we find the genealogy of Joseph, the adoptive father of Jesus, while Luke has the genealogy of Mary, His mother.
If you go through these lists, you can see plenty of familiar names of heroes of faith and some on the list who have very little appearances in the Scriptures.
Now in our individualistic culture, none of us want to be merely just names and numbers on a list. We want our unique personhood to be recognized somehow. We don’t want to simply “take space” but we want to make an impact. But in the grand scheme of things, we may feel insignificant due to the fact that we share the world with 8 billion other “unique” individuals! Sometimes we end up being just another face in the crowd, a name on a list or simply a number!
In Luke’s account, the story of Christ’s birth begins in the middle of a nationwide census and Mary and Joseph were skipped when they were in desperate need of a room for Mary who was in labour! (Turns out, they could not meet each other at the “APT.,” but in a manger instead. Sorry, K-pop fans). Despite being the earthly parents of the Messiah, they, too, were treated as just names and numbers on a list!
However, there’s an implicit but encouraging message behind these lists of names: that God recognizes those He uses, no matter how insignificant or under the radar they may be!
God recognizes those he uses, no matter how insignificant or under the radar they may be!
In the Hebrew culture, genealogies are of such great importance in order for one to prove one’s Jewish heritage, tribe, and inheritance rights, as well as to determine if a person is a Levite that can serve in the Temple. This is why the Hebrews were so meticulous about names. To them, every name is significant. Every detail is given careful attention and examination.
Many of the characters listed in the genealogies seem to just be names on lists, but I strongly believe that God remembers their parts in leading the world to its Savior!
Perhaps if you are an employee in a company, a student in your school or new to the country, you may feel just like a name on a list that people just skim through.
Maybe even in the church you may feel like you’re just another name on a list or a face in the crowd trying to find your place.
But take heart to know that God added you to the church because you are significant to Him! And in the church where He placed you is also an opportunity to serve your purpose!
When we serve God, whether in grandiose exploits of faith or in the simple act of going out caroling with your flock.
God has a list of all of us and our works and labours for Him are listed and named. God gives importance to that list that we are privileged to be part of because we are His chosen and precious ones! (Hebrews 6:10, Revelation 20:12, Revelation 22:12)
Reflection: Are you struggling to find your place and feel just like a name on a list? How does God’s promise that He knows you, even the number of your hair, comfort you?
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