Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Michael Farris:
Moms I’ve met all across the country often share the concern that their past mistakes will somehow hinder their ability to successfully homeschool. But in the genealogy of Christ found in Matthew 1, we find, hidden amongst the names, a vivid picture of God’s redemptive plan.

Four women—Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba—are mentioned in the list. Tamar posed as a prostitute and degraded herself with her father-in-law to secure an heir. Rahab was a foreign prostitute. Ruth the Moabitess was a forbidden woman, for Jews were not allowed to marry foreign women. Finally, we find Bathsheba, who committed adultery with King David. Each woman had a strike against her, and yet they all were in the line of Christ, the sinless Savior.

What a liberating principle! Our children are not bound by our past mistakes. No matter where we started, if we’ve accepted Jesus as our Savior, we’re new creatures, God’s own children. In effect, we are in the line of Christ.

Don’t let fears about your past keep you from teaching your children. God can overcome your yesterdays—even if the yesterday you need to overcome was literally yesterday. God can lift you and your children up by the power of Jesus Christ, who forgives sins and turns the worst sinners into glorious saints.

I’m Mike Farris.