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Luke 3
I have noted the difference in the genealogy of Jesus as recorded by Matthew and Luke before. The simplest explanation I found for this is that one traced Jesus’ line back through Joseph’s father while the other traced it back through Mary’s father. Interesting that Luke starts his genealogical record out by saying Jesus, “was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph” (Luke 23b). It is definitely plausible for me to think that Luke chose to trace Jesus’ blood line through Mary. Matthew, then would have chosen to trace the line through Joseph because that line is rich with Messianic symbolism. Joseph was chosen for a reason, after all.
Whatever the case, both lines trace right back to King David. Matthew’s chosen line traces back to Solomon while Luke’s traces back to Nathan. Which brings me to the fun fact for the day. Both were sons of Bathsheba, the object of David’s greatest failure. How’s that for the work of a redemptive God?
Ezek. 35-36
Ezekiel 36:20 is the verse that jumped off the page for me today. “And wherever they went among the nations they profaned my holy name, for it was said of them, ‘These are the LORD’s people, and yet they had to leave His land.’” What I noticed about this is that the people did not profane God’s name with their words. It was their behavior that made Him look bad. We actually see this frequently throughout the Old Testament story. God made a promise to Israel, but their bad behavior did not allow Him to keep that promise. This is significant to me for a couple of reasons.
The first is a practical application. It occurred to me that when I am not living in humble obedience to God, I profane His name. Ouch! That is a heavy thought! I think about how so many people judge God based on what they see in us. All too often, our lives don’t put God in the best light. True, we are human and thus bound to mess things up from time to time. But keeping this sobering thought in mind might help encourage me to better follow Jesus’ admonition. “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:18). That sure sounds a lot better than profaning God’s name!
The other significant thing I see in this thought is wrapped up in God’s character. As God promised restoration to Israel He said, “It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name” (From Ez. 36:22). Does this mean that God doesn’t really love His people? Not at all! Rather, it means that God would not have made a promise that He did not know that He could keep. Humanity has more than proven that we are not the ones who make God’s promises happen. Ironically, that means that Israel’s failure, which profaned God’s holy name, actually helped prove Him God in the end.
God then goes on to detail His plan to complete His great promise. “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean…I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you…and move you to follow my decrees…I will save you from your uncleanness.” (From Ez. 36:25-29). Yup – that’s all God. All we can be, then, along with the people of Israel, is, “ashamed and disgraced for [our] conduct” (Ez. 36:32b). From that place of humility, however, we can then be grateful to know that our behavior will never change the character of God. In fact, in His great mercy, it is often through our greatest failures, like David with Bathsheba, that God most proves Himself God.
Ps. 135
Verse 3 gives two reasons to praise the Lord. What are they and how have you experienced each of them? God is good. Therefore it is good to praise Him. God is great; He is sovereign. Therefore it is good to praise only Him. God is God forever and there is no other like Him. Praise the LORD!