Daily Encouragement

Friday, December 8, 2023

The Poole Forge Ironmaster's Mansion near Churchtown, PA in eastern Lancaster County.

"Ancestors"

Message summary: The genealogies in Matthew and Luke firmly place Jesus Christ in history. He is not a fictional phantom who appears out of nowhere.

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"The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham" (Matthew 1:1).

Throughout my life I have met a few people who have impressive ancestries. They can trace their family roots (genealogy) back to an ancient country or may have particular family members who would be familiar to most of us. Of course, it’s more interesting if you’re a member of that family lineage!

How many of you know much about your own genealogy? I don’t know a whole lot about mine, although I do know I am of German descent on both sides and have heard that one of my ancestors was Abraham Clark, who signed the Declaration of Independence. I always liked hearing my Aunt Mary telling about Clark since my middle name is Clark as was my dad’s. (The photo does not resemble me:)

There’s a lot of interest in this subject and the internet has been a valuable source for those trying to find their roots with popular sites such as ancestry.com. Some trace their lineage back hundreds of years and know who their ancestors are. Hope Winchoba, who is now with the Lord, was a member of the church we served in Massachusetts. She was able to trace her genealogy all the way back to the Mayflower and in fact all the way back to Norman in 1,000 AD!

But sadly, in our broken world with so much immorality and fragmented families, there are many who do not even know their own birth father, let alone their grandparents and previous generations. In fact many are so focused on the present and so disconnected to any heritage that they have little to no interest at all.

The New Testament begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ, a detailed accounting of His ancestors going back to Abraham. Luke has a similar record but his goes all the way back to Adam! These genealogies may not make for the most interesting reading but the entire Bible, including the genealogies, is inspired by God. Yet many of us would admit the genealogies are not among the more exciting or necessarily edifying portions of the Bible and we tend to skim over them, particularly the longest in 1 Chronicles 1-9!

The genealogies of Christ, in both Matthew and Luke, are in the context of the Christmas stories. But all Scripture is profitable and even these genealogies are inspired truth and have lessons for us. They also foundationally place the truth presented in Scripture in the context of real history.

Matthew was one of the original disciples and his gospel was primarily intended for those with a Jewish background. Thus Matthew’s genealogy begins with Abraham.

The genealogies firmly place Jesus Christ in history. He is not a fictional phantom who appears out of nowhere. Many of the names in His genealogy can be studied in the Old Testament.

The genealogy of Jesus Christ begins with the summary in the first daily text prior to filling in the detail. “The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1). In doing so he mentions the two most significant names in our Lord’s human genealogy: Abraham and David.

As you know, Jesus wasn’t literally the son of David who lived about 1,000 years before His birth. Nor was David literally the son of Abraham who lived about 1,000 years before David’s birth. The detailed genealogy which follows fills in these gaps.

However this introductory summary is vitally important because it establishes that Jesus Christ had two descendants that figure in so powerfully in the Old Testament Messianic prophetical promises. Since Matthew was written primarily to the Jews this was a very important truth to establish. God had specifically promised that the Messiah would be a descendant of both Abraham and David.

Today let us consider Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation and all who have faith in the true God. Abraham received a great promise during his original call; “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3). The apostolic preaching of the early church clearly identifies this promise as fulfilled in Christ (Acts 3:24-26).

The apostle Paul in Galatians states that the Gospel was announced in advance to Abraham in this call. Galatians 3:9 states that, "those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham". Many readers will recall the action packed children’s song,

“Father Abraham had many sons.

Many sons had father Abraham.

And I am one of them and so are you.

So let’s just praise the Lord…”

And, of course at the end of the song we all fall down from exhaustion!

This promise to Abraham was “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you”. Wherever you are reading this you are among the “all peoples"! Praise God! This is echoed in the angelic proclamation at the birth of Christ, who announced “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). This Christmas season let us remember the tremendous blessings we have as spiritual children of Abraham through the work of the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ!

Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, regardless of our birth genealogy, whether we’re born to peasant or royalty, when we are born into the Kingdom of God we become Your children and all are on equal standing at the foot of the cross. We are not just born into Your Kingdom but we were purchased with the precious sinless blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ. There is no higher calling and no greater privilege granted to the human race. Thank You for the spirit of Sonship that invites each of us to call You Abba Father. This is possible only because of Christ Jesus who gave His all that we may be born again and receive eternal life. Amen.

Special Year-end Financial Appeal

We want to thank all who have financially supported our ministry this past year (and some for many years!). Like most ministries, we typically see a spike in giving at the end of the year for which we are most thankful. Thus we bump up this appeal on each post through the remainder of the year.

We realize there are many fine ministries and causes requesting support at this time but if you would like information about making a donation to our ministry see here.

In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.

You can send a check payable to "Daily Encouragement Net" to:

Stephen and Brooksyne Weber

495 Kraybill Church Road

Mount Joy, PA 17552

To donate directly online click here. (This will open to a page that designates the offering to: Stephen and Brooksyne Weber - 700001-237376 serving in specialized chaplaincy (Daily Encouragement is our endorsed special chaplaincy ministry).

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Thank you,

Stephen & Brooksyne

Offerings YTD: $22,466.00

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Who Am I?" Watch on YouTube Casting Crowns

"Prepare Him Room?" Watch on YouTube Rebecca Elliott

"Lancaster at Christmas" Watch on YouTube Several years ago the creative team at our church prepared this video of drone shots over downtown Lancaster during the Christmas season with an Advent theme. It blessed me again when I recently came across it. Very nicely done!

Anti-Semitism Motivated by ‘Hatred of God’ A very interesting and insightful perspective on modern events.

The Poole Forge Covered Bridge in Eastern Lancaster County
(Click on photo to enlarge)

Sharon, a reader from Maine, sent us this photo of their recent snow covering which resembles the Alps much more than our snow shower we received yesterday in our area.

In preparing for an upcoming trip our neighbors (also our dogkeepers) stopped in for a visit yesterday with our dog troop whom you see lined up awaiting their arrival. Since the trips are spread out Joan and John invite the dogs to get reacquainted before the big day arrives.

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

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We want to thank all who financially support our ministry. We realize there are many fine ministries and causes requesting support at this time but if you would like information about making a donation to our ministry see here.

In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.

To donate directly online click here. (This will open to a page that designates the offering to: STEPHEN & BROOKSYNE WEBER - 700001-237376 SERVING IN SPECIALIZED CHAPLAINCY)

Thank you,

Stephen & Brooksyne

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