LHM Daily Devotions -December 2, 2019 - A DEEP DIVE INTO THE ORDINARY

"A DEEP DIVE INTO THE ORDINARY"

Dec. 2, 2019

Jesus, when He began His ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat ... the son of Esli ... the son of Josech ... the son of Elmadam ... the son of Nathan, the son of David ...

—Luke 3:23-31 and following (ESV)

Have you ever heard of an underground river? It sometimes happens that a river flows along in the sunshine—and then it suddenly vanishes into a cave, a hole in the ground. We stop and blink. Where has it gone? It is still there, but it is hidden from us. The next time it comes to the surface, it may be miles from here.

Jesus' ancestry in Luke 3 is like this. It doesn't have all the kings and leaders we find in His other genealogy in Matthew 1. No, this side of the family flows from King David through his son Nathan (of whom we know almost nothing). Then it disappears into the ordinary.

Who are these people: Esli, Josech, Rhesa, Elmadam? They are nothing but names to us. They may have been shepherds, farmers, storekeepers, craftsmen. But history tells us nothing about them. They were just ordinary.

And we are just ordinary too, aren't we? We are born, live, love, maybe have children, do our work, and eventually die. Someday our descendants may pore over the family tree, wondering—who was that person? Only a name remains.

And yet God does not forget us. We are connected to Jesus, just as Esli, Josech, and Rhesa are. We are people whom Jesus came to rescue—to bring us out of the power of darkness and into His marvelous light. Because Jesus died and rose for us, we are not nobodies. We are God's own children. He loves us dearly, and He calls us by name.

THE PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that we matter to You. Keep us in Your Son Jesus. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Have you ever been interested in family history?
• How do you feel about being ordinary—does it bother you? Please you? Why do you feel that way?
• How do you know that you matter to God?

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Have you ever been interested in family history?