The Genealogy of Christ Matthew 1:1-17 & Luke 3:23-38

Why Study the Genealogy? Boring??? Few things less meaningful (seemingly) Some things are more pleasant to study than others, depending upon personal interests Ac 20:27 "For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” All scripture is profitable: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 So what does ancient genealogy mean to the Christian today? Plenty! Why Study the Genealogy?

Genealogies Mean a Great Deal More Than Family History! In the ancient world… Family tribes cared for one another. Jacob was taken in by Laban (Gen. 28:5) – may have saved his life! Ruth was taken in by Boaz, her kinsman redeemer. Brothers took in their widowed brothers wives (Matthew 12:19) Kings could establish rights to the throne by lineage: David to Solomon to Rehoboam, etc. Genealogies Mean a Great Deal More Than Family History!

Genealogies of Jesus: Matthew 1 & Luke 3 Why two genealogy accounts? Why four Gospels? Written in different ‘flavors’ so all in the world could understand & relate: Matthew: seems to be written to Jews to show Jesus was the prophesied messiah. Mark: seems to be written to Romans to show Christ as superior to all pagan Gods, and also the servant and redeemer of man Luke: to Greeks (?) to show the human side of Christ not as an Apostle, but a historian who knew eye-witnesses John: wrote to the church to show Christ as “God in the flesh” Genealogies of Jesus: Matthew 1 & Luke 3

Why Two Genealogy Accounts? Two distinct purposes: very different in structure & purpose: Luke: lists more generations than Matthew Luke: from Jesus to Adam Matthew: from Abraham to Jesus Why Two Genealogy Accounts?

Why Two Genealogy Accounts? Both List Different Names: Luke: Lists 56 names Matthew: Lists 41 Why? Matthew traces lineage through David’s son Solomon Luke traces lineage through David’s son Nathan Luke follows the family tree of Joseph Joseph??? Why Two Genealogy Accounts?

Can Joseph Be Used to Establish Lineage? Not the Biological Father Understanding Rabbinic Law: If a man takes a mother & child into his home, he accepts legal responsibility for them. Matthew 1 21 "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." Joseph gave Jesus his name (through obedience to the angel) Law: The one who names the child = legal father So, through Joseph, Jesus is the messiah, son of David! Can Joseph Be Used to Establish Lineage?

Why Two Genealogy Accounts? Matthew Follows the family tree of Mary Luke traces the complete lineage from Joseph to David Matthew traces only prominent heirs to the throne Hebrew Genealogies not like western Not uncommon to leave out less prominent members of lineage – or omit for other reasons (Exodus 20.4-5) Lists are in reverse order Both lists are accurate for the purpose they serve – Christ is rightful heir to the throne and qualifies thus as the messiah Why Two Genealogy Accounts?

Jews understood the importance of such a genealogy: 2 Samuel 7 11 "since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also the LORD tells you that He will make you a house. 12 "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 "He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 "I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. 15 "But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 "And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever."'" Genealogy…So What!!!???

Isaiah 2: The Coming Kingdom 1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD'S house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. 3 Many people shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore. (continued) Isaiah 2: The Coming Kingdom

Isaiah 2: The Coming Kingdom 11 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, The haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, And the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. 12 For the day of the LORD of hosts Shall come upon everything proud and lofty, Upon everything lifted up-And it shall be brought low- 13 Upon all the cedars of Lebanon that are high and lifted up, And upon all the oaks of Bashan; 14 Upon all the high mountains, And upon all the hills that are lifted up; 15 Upon every high tower, And upon every fortified wall; 16 Upon all the ships of Tarshish, And upon all the beautiful sloops. 17 The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, And the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; The LORD alone will be exalted in that day, 18 But the idols He shall utterly abolish. Isaiah 2: The Coming Kingdom

The Kingdom Visualized Through the Genealogy: All wrongs set right Jews reigning victorious! Jerusalem is capitol of the world! Peacetime Enemies defeated Paganism destroyed, men turn to God Sins forgiven No Crime No Death No Tears Genealogy meant a lot! The Kingdom Visualized Through the Genealogy:

Genealogy to the Christian Today: What does it mean to me? That Jesus was who he said He was the “son of David” We can have faith in Christ It reminds us that God keeps His promises: God kept His promises to Abraham (Fulfilled nearly 2000 years later!) The duration of time since Christ promised He would return has barely reached the same length of time. Likewise, be patient, God keeps His promises to us! Genealogy to the Christian Today: What does it mean to me?

Genealogy to the Christian Today: What does it mean to me? It shows us Christ’s ability to relate to the sinner: notice the genealogy of Christ: Tamar played the harlot Rahab was a harlot Bathsheba was an adulteress This also shows us God can use anyone to fulfill His purpose! The lineage of Christ shows the providence of God: His faithfulness reaches all generations The only way we get to Jesus through David is through God’s providence: consider the odds of such a lineage! This reminds us of how God can use people to fulfill His purpose, even though we may be totally unaware! Genealogy to the Christian Today: What does it mean to me?

God Wants To Use You In His Kingdom. In order to become part of God’s Family, You must: Hear the word: (Romans 10:17) Believe in Christ (John 3:16) Repent of Your Sins (Luke 13:5) Confess Christ as Lord and Savior before Men (1 John 4:3) Be Baptized (Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:20, 21) 1Jn 4:3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. God Wants To Use You In His Kingdom.