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Matthew 1:10a
We learn in 2 Kings 21 that Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, was wicked in the eyes of the LORD. He worshiped idols and actually set them up in the house of the LORD (2 Kings 21:4). He provoked God to exercise judgment on Jerusalem and Judah (2 Kings 21:12). But when He repented of his sins, God was compassionate and restored him. 2 Chronicles 33:10-13 (NKJV) declares, “And the LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they would not listen. Therefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze fetters, and carried him off to Babylon. Now when he was in affliction, he implored the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God.”
This is the genealogy of Jesus from Hezekiah to Manasseh.
This is a great example of God’s great forgiving power, mercy, and grace. There is no one, nowhere, that is too far from the love and forgiveness of our heavenly Father. Could you send your one and only son to pay the penalty for a murderer? Could you send your one and only son to die for someone who has spent most of their life in rebellion against God? Could you love someone who has denied your existence? God could; and He did – for you and for me. God loves each one of us more than we could ever imagine. God longs for the day when a sinner will fall to his or her knees and cry out to Him for help, for forgiveness, and for everlasting life through the gift of love that He has already given – His Son who took our place on the cross and paid for our sins in His purity that we may be forgiven if we will simply ask in sincerity. If this describes you, ask Him, believe in Him, and receive Him into your heart today and live forgiven for eternity – in Christ.
Dear LORD,
Your word teaches us that there is none that have not sinned, no, not one. But Your word also teaches us of the forgiving power of Christ Jesus whom You sent to save the world from sin (John 3:16-18). I pray today LORD for those who are lost in sin and feel that there is no way out. Please speak to their hearts and call them to You today so they may be set free from sin by believing in Your Son Jesus – that He died to pay for their sins so that they may be forgiven and live a new life – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.