You Shouldn't Be Here

YOU SHOULDN’T BE HERE!

You shouldn't be here. That statement sounds a bit offensive, doesn't it? Stay with me.

I love how honest the Bible is, and I'm thankful that The Lord didn't hide or ignore the uncomfortable events, people, or things throughout history. It's one of the things that gives me confidence that the Bible is divinely inspired. I mean, what self-respecting man would allow the story to be told about the time he saw another man's wife, lusted after her, sent a servant to bring her to his house, slept with her, and upon finding out that she was pregnant, stage the "accidental" death of her husband? Nobody I know, that's for sure! But King David never hid from his failures, and God didn't hide them from us. 

Or what first-century Middle Eastern man would've wanted it recorded that the first eyewitness to the resurrection of Christ was a woman with a questionable past? I'm referring, of course, to Mary Magdalene (See. Mark 16:9-11). Furthermore, if you were the Apostle Peter, you might have conveniently wanted it left out that you were the one to openly deny that you even knew Jesus. In addition, some less-than-reputable characters were used by God to accomplish His purpose. 

I know we don't typically pay much attention to the genealogies in the Bible, but they hold significant treasures. Now, notice the following verses from Matthew.

Mat 1:1, 3, 5-6, 16 KJV

"1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. ...3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;...5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 6 And Jesse begat David, the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her [that had been the wife] of Urias; ... 16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ."

This passage above holds one of the recorded family trees of Jesus. Specifically, it underscores the legal lineage of Jesus. But along the way, we encounter some interesting and out-of-place individuals who really shouldn't be here. 

TAMAR

Verse three above tells us that Judah had a son named Phares with a woman named Tamar. If you're unfamiliar with these people, a quick trip through Genesis chapter thirty-eight reveals quite the scandal. Judah forgets about his widowed daughter-in-law, which leads her to do the unthinkable. She dresses up like a harlot and places herself where she knows Judah will be traveling. I'll spare you all the sorted details, but she becomes pregnant with her Father-in-law's child. 

Judah is the son of Jacob or Israel. Judah is also the namesake of the tribe that is to bring Kind David and, more importantly, Jesus the Messiah. He shouldn't have been involved in ridiculous behavior like this, but he was. And God thought it necessary to continue the lineage of Christ through Judah, Tamar, and their son Phares. Unbelievable!

RAHAB

Next, we see in verse number five. "And Salmon begat Boaz of Rahab." (There's a spelling variation from the Old Testament to the New.) 

A man named Salmon and a woman named Rahab had a son named Boaz. You will most likely remember Boaz from the powerful story of love and redemption found in the Book of Ruth. Boaz is a powerful and godly man, yet he's the product of an Israelite father and a Canaanite prostitute mother! Read Joshua chapter two, and you'll find Rahab's story. Her home, and most likely her business, was in Jericho. But she turned her heart towards the God of Israel and was saved from divine judgment. This act of faith brings her into the lineage of the future Messiah!

It would be logical to look at her at the family reunion and say, "You shouldn't be here." You don't "fit" the stereotype, but nonetheless, she's here. 

RUTH

Can things get any worse? Let's see. Rahab's son, Boaz, ends up marrying a Moabite woman. Why is this a problem? Moab wasn't precisely what we'd call the "hub" of sophistication. The Moabite people came into being when Abraham's nephew Lot was deceived through alcohol to sleep with his two daughters. (I know, it just gets better and better!) One of those children was named Moab. Talk about an embarrassing family tree! Also, God told Israel not to intermingle with the Moabites for multiple reasons. 

Boaz and Ruth become the Great-grandparents of King David. In actuality, Ruth shouldn't be here, but she is!

I want to draw your attention to one little word in each of these examples: "of."

"Of Tamar..."

"Of Rahab..."

"Of Ruth..."

That seemingly insignificant word speaks volumes in these instances. Each and every one of their sons carried the lineage one step further towards Christ and eternal redemption. The term "of" says the plan is dead in the water without them. It doesn't matter that human logic would've never included them. It doesn't matter that our ideas of morality might've left them out of the equation. What does matter is that the great Author of the book wanted them in there, and He used them to bring about His eternal plan. 

Can I tell you something that may surprise you? He WANTS you in His plan as well. It makes no difference where you've been or what you've done. You may have a history worse than the examples I've given you. In His hands, all things are possible. You're not too broken, stained, or used up that He can't redeem you. As a matter of fact, you're one of the primary reasons He came to this earth. 

Luke 19:10 (KJV)

"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

Surrender to Jesus Christ today. Let Him birth some new thing through your life. You may already be a Christian but haven't served The Lord as you should. You might be thinking that there's nothing you could contribute to Him. Remember, He doesn't need what you can DO - He wants YOU!

-Pastor Jeff McKee