When Matthew set out to write the story of Jesus, he didn’t start with a starry night in Bethlehem. He began with a long list of names tracing Jesus’ heritage as the rightful King of Israel. However, there’s something odd about Matthew’s list. In a culture that excluded women from these lists of ancestors, Matthew made a point of drawing attention to four specific women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba. Along with Mary, these women were unlikely candidates to be in the lineage of a king. So why them? This Christmas we take a look at what the matriarchs in Jesus’ family tree can teach us about God’s love.
Topics: Christmas
Topics: Role of Women
Topics: Leadership, Role of Women, Sexuality
