Matthew

Matthew is one of the "gospels." I think I define gospel in an earlier post, but in case I didn't, according to Wikipedia, "a gospel is an account describing the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth." I think of a gospel as a biography of Jesus, written by an eyewitness.

Apparently, also according to Wikipedia, the gospel was written around 80-90 CE.

Let's move on because you can find everything I'm saying on Google. I'm here to offer you a fresh perspective, so let's delve into this first chapter of Matthew. You can read it on this post. Don't worry, it's shorter than the usual chapter length in a novel and I'm only copy-and-pasting the first two-thirds of the chapter.

The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham:   
Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez was the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram. Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon. Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of David the king.
David was the father of Solomon by Bathsheba who had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon was the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa. Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
After the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah became the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel was the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor. Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud. Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.

So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.

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As a teenager, when I first read Matthew, I remember somewhat glazing over, as I looked at Jesus' bloodline. I thought, 'Was that really necessary?' Before (let's just call the author) Matthew started writing anything else, he wrote out Jesus' ancestors. Why do you think Matthew did that?

I don't actually know the answer to that question, but I've heard others share with me their opinions. I guess it was really important to the Jews to write down the history of things. In a way, I think they're right because our history helps explain why we are here. In a way, the people that came before Jesus are part of Him.

Another reason I think that all the names are written first is because its acknowledging that Jesus had an important bloodline, i.e. he was royal or something. Why do I say that? Well, I'm speculating here, but it's kind of like a purebred pedigree for dogs. I have a couple of dogs myself so this may be why it comes to mind. If you get a dog that is a mutt, or maybe a pure breed, but with not so important parents, they will not have a pedigree. On the other hand, if you purchase a dog that has famous parents, or is in general relatively rare/valuable, bloodline is everything. I know humans aren't dogs, but obviously the author thought that Jesus was important enough of a person to trace his bloodline back 42 generations. With people, generally, you only trace your ancestry if it is super important to others (like if you're going to be the next queen or something) or if its important to you for sentimental reasons or curiosity's sake (ancestry.com). Even if it was for curiosity's sake, why trace it back 42 generations? Isn't it enough after 5?

Therefore, we have no other conclusion (really) to draw, other than Jesus' bloodline was important. Also, the people that the author points to, out of this slew of names, are Abraham and David. They must have been the "royalty" that made Jesus so important. Actually King David was considered the greatest king that the Jews had. Abraham was not a king, but he was the beginning of a promise that God made to all the Jews.

Who is Jesus?

Who do you think Jesus is? 

Have you ever wondered? 

What made you stop wondering and be satisfied with your answer?

I have to admit: Jesus' identity has been a question that I have always tried to answer, but yet, for some reason I can never fully do it justice. I know that you yourself are going to have a unique view of Him. This is why it is going to be difficult to answer the question. I recognize, that although Jesus is not a changing being, and that He is the same as he was 2000+ years ago, our view of Him is dynamic.

To me, Jesus is a bit like a flower, surrounded by every person. Some are closer to the flower than others, and everyone has a different view from where they are standing. Some are seeing the flower from behind, and others from the side. Some are standing behind other people and can't get a good look at it. The flower has not changed, but since we are not able to see it from all the multiple angles, we have to infer what is not visible to our eyes. 

I know this seems weird, but I truly believe that Jesus has already shown you a little bit of Himself. I don't mean that I think you are Christian. You might be a Buddhist, an Agnostic, a Muslim, or a follower of another way. Whatever you believe (and I hope I do not offend anyone), I think that you've already seen a part of Jesus. Whether its in a smile from a stranger, an unexpected gift, or someone forgiving you who shouldn't; you have seen a part of Him. 

I hope my words do not hurt you, or that you are not assuming that I could not possibly know what I am talking about. I think that no matter what I say, if you decide in your heart that you do not agree with me, you will not hear what I'm saying. My words will seem rotten to you. That is completely okay, and I want you to know that I respect you.

Also, I should say that you could be right in thinking I am wrong. This is only a blog after all.

Who I am

There are some things about me that you should know before I start writing more. This is a pretty random list, but they are attributes that I consider important.

I am a person. I am a human; no greater than any other human that has breathed this chemically diverse air. I am in my thirties, but don't let my age fool you into thinking I can't relate. Age really has very little to do with it.

I am trying to follow Jesus Christ (God's Son) and am constantly learning what my purpose is for being here.

I am an original person who has been through a unique set of circumstances. No one who reads this will ever be able to duplicate my past, so I guess you and I have that in common.

I am married to a man who believes in the same things that I do.

I am afraid of stinging insects, needles, going to the doctor/dentist, evil things, and dying.

I want everyone to know God and connect with Him, but am secretly afraid to share my faith.

- - - - -

I could keep going, but you will get to know me better as time goes on. I will try to be as real as possible with you, because I want you to understand who God is, without me getting in the way of that. I think God uses our weaknesses (in addition to our strengths), to teach people about Himself, so you will probably see plenty of imperfections in me. Know that this is not a reflection of God, but rather a reflection of my humanity.

Blog's Name

Since you are probably wondering why I chose this blog's name, I will tell you. I admit that I may have some goals for this blog. The name is called "The Odd Christian" because this site is about being different than what most people would call a "Christian." It is meant to open your mind towards all kinds of stereotypes that people have about Christians and things real Christians have done. I will not glorify Christians (as they are none other than sinners, who have been redeemed), but try to solely glorify the God we worship.

Before I go any further, I should ask a question.

When you think of "Christians," what do you think of?

 Is it a beautiful picture, with people rejoicing together to sing praises to Jesus, playing fluttering melodies and harmonies that echo with exuberance?

Is it a group of people that speak the truth all the time with love seeping from them, where they cannot help but care?

OR....

Is it ugly?

Is it a bunch of ignorant naive people who don't know what they are talking about?

Is it a lot of sexually charged virgins who don't have anything to do but get married and have kids?

Is it a hypocritical mass of leadership where the only thing that matters is power?


All these views are ones I guarantee people have expressed to me. Many have told me, whether having a good view or a negative one, that I am an odd Christian. Whether you were born in a Christian family, or an atheist one, I am writing this blog for you. I hope that when you read it, you will better know who I believe in and why. I also hope that in the end, you will realize that odd is the norm with Jesus.