FINDING FAMILY AT CHRISTMAS!

Matthew 13:53-58

INTRODUCTION: Many here grew up in the time of “Leave It to Beaver.” But even back in the1960s we had Eddie Haskell that was a little dysfunctional in the show. Christmas should be all about family, even though many of our families may be a little dysfunctional. Matthew, Mark,Luke and John introduce us to the story of our Lord’s family and yes, there were many cousinEddie members. Matthew 13:54-56.

I. OUR LORD JESUS CAME FROM AN IMPERFECT FAMILY!

Please notice first that our Lord Jesus came from an imperfect family just like you and I. OurLord Jesus was born of a virgin and the Word of God tells us that His step-father, Joseph was a righteous man, but as we learn about Jesus’ lineage prior to His birth we find many cousinEddie’s. Matthew 1:1: forty-two generations are listed from Abraham to Jesus. In Jesus family line we find multiple murderers, liars, cowards, cheats, prostitutes, polygamist, adulterers, idolaters and even a few who committed incest! Jesus’ family closet had many skeletons! The good news for us today is that we learn we don’t have to be from a perfect family to be greatly used by our God. Matthew 1:2-3. Tamar’s story is told in Genesis 38:6; Genesis 38:10. This sounds like a story from Kentucky but it was in our Lord’s lineage. We learn here that no matter your family heritage it only takes one generation to reverse the history of the family. Jesus did! His life changed not only His family, it changed every family on this earth. Our imperfect families is not the end of the world, and it could be the start of a miracle!

II THE LORD JESUS’ FAMILY INCLUDED OTHERS AS WELL!

The Lord Jesus’ family included others as well that were not a part of his physical family. In Matthew 12:46-50 we learn about how Jesus felt about his physical family and how He felt about His family that was not physical. So who did the Lord Jesus include in His family? “Whoever does the will of my father!” For a man who never married or fathered children our Lord Jesus knew a lot about family dynamics! Jesus had an imperfect physical family and then He brought a lot of other dysfunctional members into his non-physical family.

III. JESUS PROVIDED FOR HIS FAMILY!

Third, Jesus our Lord provided for His family and still does so today! Jesus as an adopted son of Joseph was expected to become a carpenter and carry on the family business but at the age of thirty Jesus began his ministry of following His heavenly Father’s will for His life. But that did not mean Jesus did not provide for the needs of His physical family. Mary and Joseph knew from Jesus birth that He was the long-awaited Messiah: Luke 2:25-35. Even in His death, Jesus cared for the needs of His physical family: John 19:25-27. Our families need more than just food. We must meet their needs as men in every area of life: 1 Timothy 5:3-8.

IV. JESUS PUT FAMILY IN ITS PROPER PLACE!

Our Lord Jesus put His care for His physical and non-physical family in its proper place: Luke 14:25-27. This was truly one of Jesus’ most challenging statements. The word “hate” here is “miseo” and It means “to regard with less affection.” The question here for each of us is “What place does Jesus take in our family?” Our Lord Jesus longs to be at the very center of our hearts with all our other relationships revolving around our love for Him.