The Family Tree of Grace

Matthew 1:1–17 ESV

1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, 4 and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, 7 and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, 8 and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, 9 and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, 11 and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. 12 And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, 15 and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

This message in entitled - The Family Tree of Grace: How Imperfect People Point to a Perfect Savior

About 10 years ago, I was sitting in a seminary class titled Clinical Applications in Missionary Care. During that week, we watched videos and engaged in discussions about several significant psychological diagnoses. Unknown to my professor or the other students, I had recently come across disturbing information about my birth father’s abuse of one of my half-siblings during her childhood.

I was deeply moved by the suffering she endured and felt a surge of anger towards him for his actions. Additionally, I grappled with a profound sense of shame, knowing that he was my father—his DNA and blood coursed through my veins. That week, and for months to come, I once again confronted my own sinfulness, but also the shame associated with my family ancestry.

Have you ever explored your family tree? Maybe you’ve found heroes—people you’re proud of. But if you dig deep enough, you’ll also find some stories you’d rather keep hidden. Most of us like to highlight the good branches and hide the messy ones.

Matthew doesn’t do that. He begins the story of Jesus with a genealogy—a long list of names, some noble, some notorious.

Why? Because this family tree tells us something profound:

God’s grace runs through every generation, and He uses imperfect people to bring the perfect Savior.

(Pause)

This isn’t just a list of names—it’s a declaration of hope. It’s a reminder that God’s plan is bigger than our failures.

Before we look at this family tree and see what it teaches us about grace, let me share with you a little bit about genealogies.

There are over 340 genealogies in the Bible.

Genealogies, in general, establish lineage, such as determining who is to inherit the crown.

In the Bible, they also reveal God’s plan and provide a historical context.

Matthew, an articulate writer, presented Jesus’s genealogy without including every name in his ancestry.

Instead, he organized it into three groups of 14 names, though not exhaustive, they were highly selective.

This selective approach drew attention to the connections between Jesus and David and Abraham, highlighting how these connections fulfilled historical prophecies.

God’s many promises to Abraham, including the promise of him becoming a great nation, and God’s promise to David of an eternal throne and kingdom, were central to these connections.

Matthew’s genealogy was designed to highlight Abraham, David, and Jesus. However, there were some surprising additions.

While genealogies typically listed only male ancestors, Matthew included five women.

He also included Gentiles.

Genealogies were more than mere lists of names; they sought to answer the overarching question of who the people of God were,

and Matthew’s genealogy not only was validating Jesus to the Jews as a Messiah, but God’s way of shouting to the world that He is the God of Grace.

so…

This genealogy is a story of grace

Matthew 1:1–6 ESV

1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, 4 and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah,

What do you notice about this list?

Matthew includes names that remind us of failure and scandal:

Tamar –a tale of pain and loss transformed into hope.

Matthew begins Jesus’ genealogy with unexpected twists, introducing Tamar, a woman whose story is marked by tragedy and boldness.

You can find Tamar’s story in Genesis Chapter 38.

Tamar was a young widow, twice married, twice left childless. Desperate for a future,

she risked everything to secure her place in the family line. Her choices were bold

Her story…….

• Tamar’s story is a tale of pain and loss transformed into hope.

• God’s grace was evident in redeeming her situation, which defied societal

expectations.

Tamar’s inclusion signifies that no past is too complex to be used

by God to fulfill His divine purposes.

You too can bring your own stories to God, trusting that He can weave them into His redemptive plans, and this highlights the boundless nature of His grace.

Rahab —a prostitute who became part of God’s plan and promise.

A prostitute, in Jericho, a city destined for destruction.

You can find Rahab’s story in Joshua 2.

Her story...

When she heard of the one true God, she believed—and acted.

Her faith saved her family and changed her life forever.

She married Salmon, giving birth to Boaz, the husband of Ruth, who we will mention shortly,

and she was the great-great grandmother of King David.

Rahab was a prostitute who became part of God’s plan and promise.

Bathsheba –a story of scandal transformed to a royal legacy.

You can find Bathsheba’s story in 2 Samuel 11.

Her story...

Beautiful, lonely, and vulnerable. ..

One night changed everything—pregnancy, scandal, and grief.

Yet God turned her pain into a promise that would shape history.

Referred to in Matthew’s genealogy as “the wife of Uriah” to emphasize King David’s sin in committing adultery with her and orchestrating her husband’s death.

She became the mother of King Solomon.

Her story highlights God’s justice and mercy, reminding us that even in moral failures and complex circumstances, God continues His work of redemption.

Bathsheba’s inclusion signifies that God’s unfolding story includes those marginalized by sin or society.

Bathsheba is at the center of a story of scandal which transformed to a royal legacy.

Why include these names? Because God doesn’t hide the mess—He redeems it. Every name whispers grace.

Think of a photo album. We usually choose the best pictures—the smiling faces, the perfect moments. But Matthew opens the album and shows the raw, unfiltered reality. Why? Because grace shines brightest in the mess.

Your past doesn’t disqualify you from God’s grace. If God can weave redemption through Tamar, Rahab, and Bathsheba, He can work through you.

But it’s not just about scandalous stories—it’s about God’s purpose through imperfect people.

Imperfect people, perfect Savior

Let’s look at some men in the list:

Abraham — doubted God’s timing, yet became the Father of Faith.

I am referring to what the Bible says about Abraham in Genesis 15-16, 18.

His story...

Hagar

Asking Sarah twice to say that she was his sister

Jacob — deceived his father, yet was transformed by God’s Grace.

You can read all about it in Genesis 27.

His story...

stew & fur and stole his brother’s (Esau) blessing

David — committed adultery and murder, yet found mercy and became a man after God’s Heart.

You can review this story about David in 2 Samuel 11.

His story...

we talked a little bit about this already, Bathsheba

Uriah

God worked through these well known men to bring Jesus—the perfect Savior. The family tree of Jesus is not a gallery of saints; it’s a testimony of grace.

Imagine a construction site. The builder uses crooked boards and bent nails—but somehow, the house stands strong. That’s what God does. He builds His kingdom through broken people.

God uses brokenness to display His glory. Your weakness is not a barrier—it’s an opportunity for His power.

And here’s something even more beautiful—this grace isn’t limited to one group of people.

God’s grace is for all nations and all people

Let's also notice the outsiders in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus:

Ruth — was a Moabite, drawn into God’s covenant of love.

Ruth has a whole book names after her which contains her story.

Ruth’s story...

Ruth’s story is one of profound loyalty and unexpected blessing, illustrating that God’s grace often includes outsiders.

A Moabitess becoming part of the Messianic line underlines that God’s kingdom embraces diversity and dismantles barriers of ethnicity and past.

Ruth’s story encourages believers to see grace in action, inviting them to step out in faith, trusting in God’s inclusive love and His ability to turn loyalty into legacy.

Rahab — was a Canaanite, redeemed by faith and welcomed into God’s promise.

We already introduced Rahab, but I mentioner her again because she was not only a prostitute, but a Canaanite prostitute.

Her faith led her to protect Israelite spies and to align herself with God’s people.

Rahab’s story exemplifies God’s ability to redeem and use those considered outsiders or unworthy.

Our faith in God can initiate remarkable transformations, pushing boundaries and welcoming all who commit their lives to His purposes.

So Rahab was also a Canaanite, redeemed by faith and welcomed into God’s promise.

From the start, God’s plan included the nations. The Gospel is for everyone—no one is beyond His reach.

In fact, it is worthy to mention that the book of Matthew starts with a genealogy including both genders and both Jews and Gentiles and ends with Jesus commissioning His followers to make disciples of all nations. The genealogy sets the stage for what’s to come. It is part of a bookend.

Think of a family reunion where everyone is welcome—no matter where they come from or what they’ve done. That’s the picture Matthew paints.

Please note, I am not suggesting that in your family reunions or encounters that you put your self or others in a situation that could result in harm.

But it is good to remember that God takes risks with people too, and sometimes it really pays off.

Several times after I had heard the unsettling information about my birth father, I visited him in VA. I never brought up what I had heard but each time I would take him to Wendy’s and we would spent hours talking about God and the Bible.

God wants us to extend grace to others as He has extended grace to us. The church should look like this genealogy—diverse, redeemed, and full of grace.

Picture a stained-glass window. Up close, it’s just broken pieces—sharp edges, fragments. But when the light shines through, it becomes beautiful. That’s what God does with broken lives. He takes the shattered pieces and makes them part of His masterpiece.

The family tree of Jesus is full of broken pieces—but when the Light of the World shines through, it becomes a picture of redemption.

Mary

The last woman mentioned in Matthew’s genealogy is Mary. While Pastor Joel will preach on her more next week, I will briefly comment here.

Mary was a young woman who embodies unwavering submission to God’s will, even in the face of social risks. Her acceptance to bear the Messiah exemplifies the ultimate trust and surrender to God’s plans. This contrast of the illustrious King Jesus, born from humble and imperfect ancestry, underscores the fact that divine purposes often defy human expectations. Mary’s role in Jesus’ genealogy encourages us to embody obedience and submission, trusting in God’s grand designs, which often unfold through unexpected means and leads to salvation.

Call to Action:

So here’s the question: Where do you see yourself in this story? Maybe you feel disqualified because of your past. Maybe you feel like an outsider. The family tree of grace says there’s room for you.

Today, come to Jesus—the perfect Savior who turns brokenness into beauty. Trust Him with your story. Let His grace rewrite your family tree.