Mattatha-Heli (Other than Zerubbabel)
Advent Devotional
the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha,
Luke 3:23-34
In the genealogy of Jesus, found in Luke 3:23-38, we encounter 35 names, spanning roughly a thousand years. Among these names, we only know the story of one—Zerubbabel, who will be discussed in a separate post. The others are mere names on a list, each representing a person who lived, had a child, and played a small part in the unfolding narrative of God’s redemptive plan. Yet, even though their stories are mostly lost to history, one truth remains: God knows each of these individuals intimately.
C.S. Lewis once wrote, "There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal." This profound truth reminds us that the people listed in Jesus' genealogy, though largely unknown to us, were far from ordinary in the eyes of God. Each of these names represents someone who played a unique and vital role in preserving the lineage through which Christ would come. In the grand story of salvation, no person’s role is small or insignificant, even if history does not record their name in detail. God, in His sovereignty, uses the seemingly insignificant to accomplish His mighty purposes.
This Christmas, as we reflect on these lesser-known figures in Jesus' lineage, let us remember that our worth is not found in human recognition or fame but in being known and chosen by God. Though the world may overlook us, God sees us fully—our strengths, weaknesses, joys, and struggles—and He has chosen us to be part of His eternal story. The true gift of Christmas is that God knows each of us and has called us to be part of His unfolding plan of redemption, just as He knew and called those in the genealogy of Jesus. In His hands, there is no ordinary person, and no role is ever too small.