Matthew 1:5
And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse.
As we continue our road to Bethlehem we find our selves at our next stop: The wife of Salmon, mother of Boaz and one of the most unlikely ancestors of Jesus…Rahab. We first meet Rahab in Jericho as the children of Israel began their conquest of the promised land (Joshua 2). She protected the spies that Joshua had sent being convinced that the God of Israel would keep His promise and lead them to possess the land. Her faith in God’s promises even landed her in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11! (Hebrews 11:31)
Why do you think Matthew included her in this list? After all, the focus was on the father by whom the line of kings would come so why would he even bother mentioning Rahab among the 4 women included in the genealogies? To answer this, I think we need to remember who Matthew was before he became a disciple…
There he was at his desk doing his job…collecting the taxes from the Jews to give to the Romans. He wasn’t the most popular of people in town, but a man had to make a living right? He was a publican, a sell out to the Romans, a thief who padded the numbers to fill his pockets. A man on the same level as the sinners who the Jews despised. Then a man walked up to the table and said two words that would change his life forever…”Follow Me!” (Matthew 9:9) In faith he did just that and in the end was used by God to write the Gospel that begins the New Testament!
Maybe this is why he mentions Rahab. They had a lot in common. They both were sell-outs…rejects of society… using questionable and sinful methods to feed their families…until they were confronted with the God of the universe! From that point on their lives would never be the same! They would follow their God and be used of Him…one to help in the coming of the Savior and one to Proclaim it to the world! A Harlot and a Publican…not the ones most of us would choose to be associated with but in the Hands of the Living God they were transformed to live as illustrations of His Grace.
Maybe you are thinking, “If God can do this with someone like Rahab and Matthew, can He use me?” The answer is “Yes”! I can’t shout this loud enough! So far we have seen Him use liars, cheaters, prideful, sinful sell-outs to proclaim His love and grace to the world. As you will see as we continue this journey it doesn’t stop there. If God can uses these questionable characters to paint a beautiful portrait of Grace and Mercy then he can use each of us. The question is are we willing to step out in faith, take God at His word, Follow Him and let Him transform our lives!
Today as we ReFocus our hearts and mind on Christ let us find encouragement in the Grace of God. The One who can take the dregs of society and use them to proclaim to the world the King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s! Let me challenge you today…Christ is standing before you as you sit consumed with what this world has to offer…with two words, “Follow Me”. What will you do?
