A New Creation

Scripture Readings: 

Matthew 1:1

An account of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.

Genesis 22:17-18

I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

Galatians 3:16

Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.

Commentary: 

A New Creation (Cindy Hale)

For many years, I have been inspired by all of the exciting accounts of Jesus Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection found in Matthew’s gospel. In a rush to get to those wonderful truths, maybe you’re like me and have been guilty of just casually reading over chapter 1.  After all, it’s just another boring, drawn out genealogy, right? How wrong I was!

The genealogy, which is the same word as “Genesis” (beginning), of Jesus Christ the Messiah reveals to us the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham more than a thousand years earlier. Even more, the long awaited arrival of the descendant of David, who would bless the nations and set up a kingdom that would last forever.  As I let all of this sink it, what hope it gave me!

God’s promises fulfilled!

We live in a broken world.  But, that should not be our focus.  Our focus, especially during this Christmas season, should be on the new creation that has come through Jesus Christ.  The new creation that is the result of anyone being “in Christ”.  Let’s celebrate the fact that the old is gone, and the new is here (2 Corinthians 5:17).  There is no better time than the Christmas season to share with those who are still dead in their sins how they, too, can be a new creation in Christ.

Prayer & Reflection: 

Abba Father, how gracious and good you are to me. Thank you that through your Son I am no longer a slave, but an overcomer; free from the power that sin had over my life. I am a new creation! It is through Him that all blessings come, and I am forever grateful.  Amen.