Three friends were asked, “When you’re in the casket, what would you like your friends and congregants to say about you?” Artie said: “That I was a wonderful husband, a fine spiritual leader, and a great family man.” Eugene commented: “I would like them to say I was a wonderful teacher and servant of God who made a huge difference in people’s lives.” Don said: “I’d like them to say, “Look, he’s moving!”
Speaking of moving, as my family travels from NY to TX, we eagerly anticipate being with our new Lakewood family. Upon my arrival, we will begin studying the book of Matthew on Wednesday evenings. In an effort to get the most out of our study this spring, we will be providing you with a sheet listing the dates, topics, and chapters to be covered. I hope you will read ahead so that you can get the most out of our studies and participate in our class discussions!
Matthew’s genealogy (1:1-17) reveals Jesus as a descendant of the Davidic family and the legitimate Messiah. Matthew uses the word commonly translated as “to beget” or “to be father of” not in the sense of how we use it, but in a “relative/descendant of” sense. Through this list of seemingly inconsequential names, one can learn many lessons. In researching the names listed, we learn this genealogy: proclaims God’s faithfulness, demonstrates Christ’s humanity, and hints at God’s purposes in how he dealt with Israel. One of my favorite observations of the genealogy concerns the sinfulness of those individuals found within it. God saw fit to save humanity through the bloodline of a family with a checkered past. I am thankful that just as God was able to do great things through the line of David, he is able to do great things through and in spite of my own shortcomings! Remember to thank God for the grace and hope he has given to those who choose to serve Him!





“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.’” Daniel 3:16-18