As Products of Grace

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. – Mat 5:7

Ruth exists only in Ruth. She’s mentioned nowhere else in scripture outside of her eponymous book... Except, of course, in Matthew, (Mt 1:5).

Considering that Matthew wrote his Gospel originally for Jews, it’s strange that he chose to include women in his list since Jews generally do not include women in their genealogies. And even stranger, instead of listing great Jewish matriarchs like Sarah, Rebecca or Rachael, all the listed women were gentile! Tamar, Rahab and Ruth were non-Jews; and the fourth, Bathsheba, was married to a Hittite and may even have been a gentile herself since her name had a Canaanite origin.

Far from concealing these despicables in Jesus’ bloodline, Matthew deliberately brings them to the fore in the outset of his Gospel; to emphasise that EVERYONE has a chance under God’s grace.

He should know, since he himself is a product of grace. Before Jesus chose him, Matthew was a tax collector, a profession so despicable that members were completely ostracized by the Jews from all religious and social events. To the Jews, “Tax collector” and “sinner” was one and the same thing (Lk 7:34; 15:1-2). Yet, by grace and grace alone, this tax collector’s name is eternally embedded in the foundation of the New Jerusalem in Heaven, (Rev 21:14)

This is why we can understand Boaz’s favour towards Ruth, a gentile woman living among Jews. Considering that he, too, was a product of grace – in the literal sense of the word.

Boaz was the son of Salmon, a Hebrew leader, and Rahab – the famed Canaanite harlot of Joshua 2! We wouldn’t have known this interesting fact but for our friend Matthew who points out in his genealogy that, “...Nahshon begat Salmon; And Salmon begat Boaz OF RAHAB” (Mat 1:4,5).

This is how it’s meant to be; products of grace should be the first to show it to others. When we’re conscious that we’re forgiven much, we’ll find ourselves being more gracious to others. The world should see that spirit of grace and mercy in us, and our actions should show glimpses of God’s love to them. As Products of Grace, let’s be conduits of grace to the hurting world around us. And the “God of all grace” will surely bless us as we do so in Jesus’ name.

AMEN.

GREG ELKAN