“David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife.” Matthew 1:6
Tucked into the lines of Matthew’s gospel is a little gem of Scripture that is filled with hope for each of us. The Apostle Matthew begins his account of the life of Jesus by listing the names of the people in the lineage of Jesus. From Adam to Mary and Joseph, we read the names of people who made up Jesus’ ancestry on earth.
The Jews traced lineage through fathers, not mothers. Yet, four women are mentioned in this genealogy. The last one is Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba. The way Bathsheba came to be King David’s wife and Solomon’s mother was pretty scandalous. She was married to Uriah when David took her into an adulterous affair. When she became pregnant, David tried to cover up the matter, ultimately moving her husband to the front lines to be killed in battle.
One might think that the people God would ultimately use to bring the Messiah into the world would be of high moral character and flawless behavior. A king who would commit adultery and murder doesn’t quite fit.
But God in His grace uses flawed people every day. He uses you and me to further His kingdom, even when we screw up. Our hope does not lie in how good we are, but in His faithfulness to fulfill His plan in us.
Matthew didn’t hide Bathsheba’s part of the story. He made sure we remembered. Nothing we have done or will ever do can keep God from using us for His glory.
Lord, forgive me when I beat myself up for the mistakes I’ve made. Remind me that Your perfect plan can be fulfilled no matter how imperfect I am. Thank You for Your forgiveness and grace in my life. Amen.
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The Bible is full of ordinary, flawed people who were used by God. Jacob played favorites among his sons (Genesis 37:3). Moses was a murderer (Exodus 2:12). Peter denied Jesus three times (John 18:15-18, 25-27). These are just three examples. Read these accounts and thank God for using ordinary, messed up people to do His will.