Morning Devotions with Cap'n Kenny - A Messed-Up Family Tree

A Messed-Up Family Tree

"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."

~ Revelation 22:16 (NIV)

In the first century, Jesus was not a unique name. Many boys were named Jesus, which means “Jehovah is salvation.” But there was only one person who has embodied that name in every way, and that is the Lord Jesus.

The angel Gabriel told Mary, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David” (Luke 1:32). That word great is from the Greek word megas, the same word from which we get our English term mega, conveying the idea of bigness and magnitude. Jesus would be the very definition of the word great—mega, if you will.

Gabriel said, “The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David” (verse 32). David is a unique figure in Scripture, described on one hand as the sweet psalmist of Israel and a man after God’s own heart. But we also know of David’s foibles and shortcomings. Two names connected with David sum up his life: Goliath and Bathsheba. Goliath represents David’s greatest victory, while Bathsheba represents his greatest defeat. David was a flawed man, yet Jesus was called “the Root and the Offspring of David” (Revelation 22:16). And as Jesus was engaged in His ministry, He was referred to as the Son of David. Clearly, Jesus was connected to this man.

So if you think you have a dysfunctional family, take a look at Jesus’ family tree. Some of the most unsavory characters who made it into the most exclusive genealogy in human history include prostitutes, liars, cheats, adulterers, and even a murderer.

What does this say to us? Even before Jesus was born into that family tree, His ancestry pointed to one thing: Christ came into the world to save sinners.

Oh King of David, and sceptre of the house of Israel, who opens so that none can shut, and shuts so that none can open: Come, bring the prisoners out of the prison, those who are shut in darkness and the shadow of death.

Oh Dayspring, brightness of the light everlasting, sun everlasting: Come, enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

Oh King of all nations, desire of all nations, cornerstone of the single church within which all may dwell: Come, save divided mankind, whom you have formed from clay.

Oh Emmanuel, our King and lawgiver, the salvation of all: Come, save us, Oh Lord our God. Amen

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny


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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Do you think you have a dysfunctional family? Look at Jesus' family tree!