1. The confession of Jesus as the Christ is the firm foundation of the Church. Even as Peter was called blessed in confessing this, so too are we.
  2. Matthew tells us how Jesus came from a proud and glorious lineage of . . . well, of prostitutes, thieves, and murderers as well as kings and prophets, all of whom happen to be God's people. Jesus reaches all the way down into our humanity so that He can fulfill everything for us.