It’s no accident that the New Testament goes deeply into Jesus’ genealogy, both his mother’s and adoptive father’s, into Israel’s aristocracy. Jesus was both in the line of David, as prophesied, and the Son of God. He said so himself, many times.

Why does it matter? Because by sending his son to live and die on earth, God the Father made the extraordinary first move toward reconciliation with us, proving that he is not indifferent to us or to our affairs. He does not sit atop a steep spiritual staircase, waiting for us to attain purity, deserve him through our performance or feats. He descended to us. His life and death for our sins is the greatest love story ever told.

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