The Unexpected Christmas--The Label Makers Week 3

As we have studied for the past two weeks, there are people all through the family tree of Jesus whom you and I would not expect to be there based on their actions, reputations, and history. As Matthew, the tax collector begins to launch into The Greatest Story Ever Told, he seems to take particular pleasure in underscoring the "R" rated members of Jesus linneage--the unlikely characters that God chose to help bring His son into the world. We have seen and will continue to see that all through history, God has chosen to distribute His grace to those who did not deserve it. In Matthew 1:1, we see yet another example. Rahab, the harlot was listed in Matthew's reiteration of the family tree of Jesus. Rahab wasn't even Jewish. She was a Cannanite woman whom Matthew reminds, had a reputation that was tainted throughout life and history. Surely, this lady of the night, this immoral Cannanite could not play an important role in God's plan? Surely, God would not choose such a character to be part of His plan to save the world?

Yet, in Joshua 2:8, when God's spies were studying the city of Jericho for the next conquest by God, we see Rahab taking these men into her house and hiding them from those who would like to kill them. We also find that the Hebrew word that Rahab used to identify God was a word for Lord that was not spoken by some and was only used in written form to refer to the God of the Universe. Rahab chose this particular term to refer to God, literally meaning "the existing one." God clearly had a plan for the conquest of Jericho so that it would be abundantly clear who should get the credit for this great victory--God. Believing and non-believing scholars alike have agreed that, for whatever reason, at the end of the day, the walls of Jericho collapsed. In the midst of the chaos that followed, God spares one family because of the faith of one Cannanite prostitute. How unlikely is that? How can we understand why God chose Rahab? Later, we find that Rahab and Salmon marry and have a baby named Boaz. Boaz eventually marries Ruth and their great grandson is actually King David of the linneage of Jesus! Rahab had a label, Rahab, the harlot. Yet, she played an important role in bringing our Savior into this world!

If the truth be told, probably most of us have a label. Sometimes labels are based on secrets, sometimes on habits, and sometimes on poor decisions. Yet, Rahab's story is much like our own story. When we think about approaching God, we realize that we all have some kind of label, Jimmy, the jerk, or Carrie, the coveter, or Larry, the luster, or Allen the addict. Yet, Jesus invited all kinds of people to follow Him while they were still wearing this label.

This Christmas season as we think about what Jesus did for each of us, let's rethink our approach to God. Instead of thinking about what I did (went to church, read the Bible, gave an offering, helped the neighbor, etc.), let's realize that God decided before the foundation of the earth to pay for the sins of all who wear labels regardless of what that label is. This Christmas, let's discard the "If I don't, then God won't" approach to God. Instead, let's approach the newborn Savior from the standpoint of the grace and mercy that He has offered to each of us. God offers each of us a new label. Lord, teach me to live my life in accordance with who YOU say that I am. Joy to the World!