Legitimacy

"The genealogy book of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham," Matthew 1:1.

Context for what's next. In modern culture we're introduced by trading first names. (That's how my first grandchild at age 4 announced she had made a new friend on the playground: We traded names, she would say.) We might trade last names, too. If we're being rather formal, we (or someone on our behalf) would include schools we graduated from, degrees gotten, the kind of work we did for a living. Might include remarkable jobs worked on in the trades. Might mention various and sundry accolades received. Anyway, stuff that gives social definition and legitimacy to say or to do whatever we've got to say and do next. Indigenous peoples introduce by giving a genealogical survey going back several generations, as many as needed for establishment. In this book, Jesus' genealogy reached back 2000 years. Context for sacrifice.

We meet with a brother or sister today remembering Jesus' having come to die for our sin. And, waiting together, we give thanks for his imminent return to lift us up for ever into the skies.