“This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:
Abraham was the father of Isaac,

Isaac the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,

Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,

Perez the father of Hezron,

Hezron the father of Ram… “

Matthew 1:1-3 (emphasis mine) 

–

November 28, 2025 

Now that we know more about Tamar and her story, I am overwhelmed with emotion when I read her name listed in the line of Jesus. This is not just a long list of obscure and hard-to-pronounce names. Tamar was a real person who suffered deep loss and unimaginable shame. She struggled within a culture that gave her few options, and she made some bad choices. But God redeemed them and was not ashamed to call her by name in the genealogy of His one and only Son, Jesus, our Redeemer.

Tamar’s life is proof that God can redeem your life, too. You can come to Jesus in your brokenness and your shame, your life marred by sin and bad decisions, and your impossible circumstances. He is not ashamed of you. He sent Jesus through Tamar’s line to redeem our lives by shedding His blood on the cross in payment for all of our sins.

But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.

Hebrews 2:9-11

Now that Thanksgiving is over, let’s turn our hearts toward Jesus as we eagerly anticipate the coming of our Redeemer this Advent season! Sing with me!

“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • What have you learned about God through our study of Tamar’s story?
  • What situations has God redeemed in your life?
  • Who in your life needs to hear about the redemption available through Jesus?
  • Take some time to thank Jesus for redeeming you and pray for the opportunity to share the good news of our Redeemer with someone who needs to hear it.

Church Reading Plan:

  • Today, November 28: 1 Chronicles 24-25; 1 Peter 5
  • Saturday, November 29: 1 Chronicles 26-27; 2 Peter 1
  • Sunday, November 30: 1 Chronicles 28; 2 Peter 2