He Didn't Come to Save Some . . .

Have you ever found yourself lingering on a particular passage of Scripture? Perhaps there’s a verse or chapter that keeps drawing you back, one you simply can’t shake off.

For me, that chapter has been Matthew 1:1-17—the genealogy of Jesus Christ. “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham…”

Honestly, it makes me smile.
Most of us skim these verses at best.
It’s just a long list of unpronounceable names, right?

But for the past two days, God has kept me here, parked in this seemingly “boring” section of Scripture. And as I’ve sat with it, I’ve discovered hidden treasures in plain sight. This genealogy isn’t just a list of names—it’s a story. A messy, beautiful, and redemptive story.

A New Beginning

The word “genealogy” in the original Greek is γένεσις, meaning “Genesis.” With the birth of Jesus, Matthew introduces us to a new Genesis—a new beginning and a brand new day. The Book of Genesis tells the story of the first Adam, while Matthew’s gospel reveals the last Adam.

And what a story this genealogy tells.

When you look at the list of names in Matthew 1, you might wonder why God chose this seemingly rag-tag group to be part of His Son’s lineage. It’s a tapestry of the good, the bad, and the downright messy. Yet, every name tells a story of God’s grace.

Here are a few unique aspects of Jesus’ family tree—a tree that, through Christ, we are now grafted into as children of God (John 1:12).

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The Women

First, we see something surprising: five women are included in this genealogy. Jewish genealogies typically didn’t mention women; the lines were traced through the men. Including these women would have shocked the religiously pious. In fact, in Ancient Israel, men often began their day with a prayer like this:

“God, I thank You that I was not born a Gentile, a servant, or a woman.”

But God, in His infinite wisdom, flipped the script on that prideful mindset.

What’s even more remarkable is the women He chose to highlight.
These aren’t the “expected” matriarchs like Sarah, Rachel, or Leah. Instead, God included:

• Tamar, who posed as a prostitute to secure her future.

• Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute who hid Israelite spies.

• Ruth, a Moabite widow who was considered an outsider.

• Bathsheba, described as “the wife of Uriah,” reminding us of David’s sin.

• Mary, a young woman whose miraculous pregnancy before marriage surely raised eyebrows.

These women remind us that God’s grace isn’t reserved for the perfect. He works through the unexpected, the broken, and the outcast.

The Heroes

The genealogy also includes heroes of the faith—people like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and Solomon. Their stories are ones we celebrate, yet even they were far from perfect. Abraham lied, Jacob deceived, David sinned greatly. Still, God used their faith and their failures for His greater plan.

The Ordinary

Then, there are the “regular Joe’s.” Names like Hezron, Ram, Nahshon, and Salmon. These are people we don’t know much about—everyday, ordinary individuals without great accolades or fame. Even Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, was a simple carpenter.

God doesn’t require prestige to fulfill His purposes. He chooses the humble and the unremarkable to carry out His extraordinary plans.

The Evil

Finally, woven into this lineage are men who were undeniably evil. Kings like Abijah, Manasseh, Ahaz, and Rehoboam ruled with wickedness, leading their people astray. Yet even their inclusion shows us something profound: God’s redemptive plan can work through even the darkest of human choices.

A Tree of Grace

This genealogy is a beautiful picture of God’s grace. It reminds us that He didn’t come to save only the “good” or the “qualified.” Jesus came to redeem the broken, the flawed, and the sinful—and that includes you and me. Take a moment to reflect on Matthew 1:1-17. Behind each name is a story of redemption, and through Jesus, we’re invited into that same story.

We are grafted into His family tree. Not because we’re perfect, but because His grace is perfect.

Jesus Christ

The Son of David. The Son of Abraham.
The Savior of all—not just some.

He came to save women and men, the poor and the rich.
He is the Savior of both the king and the servant.
The Messiah to the sinner and the saint.
The Christ to the hero and the downcast.

Jesus takes the broken—the Bathshebas, the Rahabs, the Davids, and the Solomons—and rebuilds them.
He gives them a Genesis… a brand new beginning.

Your past does not define your future.
In Him, all things are made new.
Our sin, shame, and mistakes, when placed in His hands, can be transformed into something glorious.

Right now, in this very moment, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

• No more pain, Rahab.

• No more shame, Bathsheba.

• No more turning to the past, Ruth.

• No more mourning or hiding, Tamar.

“Behold, I am doing a brand new thing… do you see it?”
(Isaiah 43:19)

Through Christ, your name is now written in the great genealogy of Jesus.
You are part of His story—a new day, a new beginning, a new Genesis.

“To all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God.”
(John 1:12)