Mt 1:1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, (2Sam 7 Davidic Covenant-descendent would rule)  the Son of Abraham: (Gen 12 land/seed/blessing)  2 Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah* and his brothers. 3 Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar...5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, 6 and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. 7 Solomon begot Rehoboam...

I. Christ the Messiah's heritage is recounted through Joseph, giving him the legal right to rule as anointed King

Mt 1:16 Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ  *Gen 49:10 scepter shall not depart from Judah

1Sam 2:10 “The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces; from heaven He will thunder against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. He will give strength to His king, and exalt the horn of His anointed."  cf. Dan 9:25-26; Jn 1:41

All four women worked and took risks, overcoming limitations and going against the flow, in order to enter into the promised blessing

Tamar (Gen 39): widowed and abused; she risks burning to deceive Judah into fulfilling his obligation.

Rahab (Josh 2): Canaanite prostitute and lying traitor; risks her life in switching allegiance to the true God.
 Josh 2:8 "I know that Yahweh has given you the land...11 for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath

Ruth: poor Moabite widow reduced to migrant farm labor; risks her reputation and security in switching her allegiance to the true God.
 Ruth 1:16  Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. 17 Yahweh do so to me, if anything but death parts you and me."

Bathsheba (1Kg 1): adulteress, and Hittite widow; risks her life in getting David to fulfill his promise to make Solomon king.  

II. Jesus the Savior saves us from our sins when we put our trust in His person and work (John 3:16; 5:24; 1Pt 3:18; Rom 3:21-26)
 Mt 1:20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."

Acts 4:10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which it is necessary for us to be saved." 

III. Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, who offers us intimacy with Himself, our Lord  (cf Mt 28:20 obey...with you always)
 Mt 1:22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."

Acts 3:25 You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.' 26 To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities."

Jn 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." 22 "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" 23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. 9 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”

Rev 1:4 Grace to you and peace,,,from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him (Zech 12:10). So be it, Amen. 8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." 

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Why do you think Jesus' family tree contain a number of dysfunctional people and some non-Jews? Any common threads?
2. What's the point of having a Messiah? Why is it important for Him to be from David's line and have a virgin birth?
3. Do all people experience the blessings God wants to give them? What distinguishes the haves from the have-nots?
4. How does Jesus save people from sins? Does forgiveness differ from salvation? What do you have to do to be saved?
5. Can someone have intimacy with God without knowing and obeying His word? How can you deepen your relationship with God?