Prostitution and sex-work is a difficult topic, as the vast majority of women involved are the victims of abuse or trafficking, although some want to recast it as empowerment. In the Family Tree of Jesus, we see the importance of placing people at the heart, to show love to all without judgement or prejudice.

Regardless of where we have hurt others, Jesus still comes to meet us.

Matthew opens his Gospel with a genealogy of Jesus, inviting us to reflect on the complex and messy history from Abraham to the Messiah. In the pain and powerlessness of so many we see God's promise prevail.

We pause to reflect on the evil that is war and the meaningless waste of human life involved. It should challenge us to seek to live more peacefully with each other.

This week we heard testimonies from four different people about their faith journeys and what God has been doing in their lives.

As Jesus walked with two friends he explained to them all that scripture foretold about Him. When we feed on scripture, we slowly grow to see who Christ truly is, and how it is his love and presence which brings us true nurishment.

Despite the failings of the apostles, and Simon Peter in particularly, Jesus doesn't hold this against them, but rather meets them in forgiveness. He restores Peter, reaffirms and reframes his calling.

At some of the most important moments in Jesus' life we see him at dinner with his friends. Nowhere is this more obvious than at the Last Supper. Jesus offers us a model for what true loving friendship looks like.

Jesus was not always an easy dinner guest - on one occasion he outright criticises His host's choice of guests before telling a parable about how the Father invites all - rich or poor. Although many choose to reject God's invitation, those who do accept it an amazing banquet awaits.

In one of Jesus' most famous miracles he provides material food for thousands of people at once. Despite this, the real challenge for us is to recognise the spiritual food which Jesus provides to all who will accept it in faith.

Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus is not just a story about a funny little man who climbed a tree two thousand years ago. It is also a pattern for our response to Christ - driven by eagerness to simply be in Jesus' presence, Zacchaeus is challenged through an encounter with Him and radically re-orientates his life as a result.

Jesus shows how our failings and sin are redeemed and forgiven, as long as we honestly recognise them.