Scandal of Christmas

What if the Christmas story isn't as picture-perfect as our nativity scenes suggest? This exploration of Matthew chapter 1 reveals something scandalous and beautiful: Jesus' family tree is filled with outsiders, sinners, prostitutes, adulterers, and broken people. From Tamar who sold herself as a prostitute to her father-in-law, to Rahab the Gentile prostitute, to Ruth the foreigner, to Bathsheba the adulteress—these women weren't the respectable ancestors we'd expect in a royal lineage. Even the men had their issues: Abraham gave away his wife twice to save himself, David abused his power for sexual gain. Yet Matthew deliberately includes these scandalous figures to prove something profound: Jesus identifies with sinners. He came for people like us—broken, flawed, with pasts we'd rather forget. The genealogy demonstrates that God doesn't just tolerate our messy histories; He weaves them into His redemptive story. If you've ever felt disqualified by your past, unworthy because of what's been done to you or what you've done, this genealogy is your invitation. Jesus didn't come from a sanitized, perfect lineage. He came through real people with real failures, proving that no matter your background, you belong at the foot of the cross. Your past doesn't disqualify you—it positions you to receive the grace that Jesus offers.