The Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke both record the Genealogy of Jesus, although we will find they are very different indeed.
I am jumping into deep water this week, I do not claim to be a theologian. But by God’s grace, and maybe some constructive criticism if needed, I hope to help us to see the wonderful lineage of our Lord and Savior. He didn’t just happen into this world; God had a plan and that plan is one of the most miraculous stories ever told!
Come along with me on this journey the next 31 days as we discover how Jesus came, why He came, and where you and I fit into the glorious picture of this holiday we call Christmas. Along the way we will meet ordinary people who did extraordinary things and became a part of the lineage of the Messiah, the Savior of the World! You can see yesterday’s kickoff here.
The Book of Matthew traces the lineage from Abraham to Jesus, which is 41 generations. Luke, on the other hand, records it from Adam to Jesus, for a total of 76 generations.
Matthew’s account is divided into three groups of 14: The patriarchs, the kings, and then the regular citizens. Luke actually begins with Jesus and goes backward!
Does it really matter? What is so important about the ancestry of Jesus? What can we find in his “roots” that would tie into our 31 Days of Christmas study? Does it have anything to do with preparing our hearts for the coming of the Christ child?
Oh yes, a resounding, “Yes!”
The Gospel of Matthew was written to prove that Jesus was the Messiah and he opens his book by showing proof that Jesus was who He said He was. Look at the first chapter.
“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king.” Matthew 1:1-6 NKJV.
Recognize any familiar names? Of course there is Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the founding fathers. We cannot forget their contribution to it all! But how about some of those that were maybe the undesirables, those that you wouldn’t necessarily think were “Kingdom Makers”. How did they get listed in the genealogy of the Messiah?!
There is Rahab! Remember Rahab, the Bible calls her the harlot? She is the prostitute in the city of Jericho who hid the spies from the men who wanted to harm them. For saving their lives, they promise when the Israelites come to destroy her city that she and her family will be spared if she hangs a scarlet cord out her window.
Rahab and her family are saved because of her obedience and her fear of the God of Abraham! She becomes part of the family of God and is listed among the ancestry of Jesus!
“By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.” Hebrews 11:31 NIV.
So what does it all have to do with Christmas? I think it has plenty to do with this blessed season. There are many people listed in the genealogy accounts of Matthew and Luke. We will look at a few of them this week. Most of them were ordinary people like you and me. But they believed in an extraordinary God, they were expecting the Messiah to come, if they were not already a part of His family they wanted to become a part of His family.
Rahab was very explicit in the second chapter of Joshua when she tells the spies why she is hiding them! “We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt…our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”
She had not even met this God of the Israelites but she knew He was someone to be reckoned with! She was excited, she was expectant and eager, she couldn’t wait to become a part of this people, and it paid off for her. She was the great-great-great grandmother of King David, an ancestor of Jesus Christ!
Ordinary people doing extraordinary things. What will you dwell on today as we enjoy this blessed season?
Presents under the tree?
Your shopping list that keeps growing and your wallet that keeps shrinking?
Your never-ending-to-do-list and the headache that just won’t go away?
Or can we take time to dwell on The One who came as a baby, from the beginning, so He would know everything we have ever experienced…firsthand.
He loves us that much.
He doesn’t care what our family tree looks like, if some of our branches are bending a little too much, the bark is wearing away and the leaves have just about all fallen off.
He doesn’t mind because He came to redeem us.
But I am getting ahead of myself.
What do you see in Rahab? Do you have that kind of expectation, that eagerness for the coming of Christmas?
What about for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? Are you looking up in anticipation or do you hardly ever think about it?
Join in the discussion today and share your thoughts! I would love to hear from YOU!
Timely message as I was just talking with my pastor’s wife about when we read about the genealogy of Christ. The Bible is still so new to me and I struggle with just wanting to know all the stories and who these people are. I look forward to following along here.
Thanks for your kind comments at my place! I know it’s been a while since I’ve been by but I do always enjoy visiting!
Much love and hugs,
Beth
Hi Cindy! Thank goodness there is room for us mistake-makers who become Kingdom Makers! You are right, it does seem everyone is at least somewhat focused on the Reason for the Season. Even though the world is in turmoil we can rest in the comfort of knowing He came, so long ago, and He is coming again–soon!! ♥
A God IN us! Wonderful, Sharon! I am speechless, we should be! I just left an amazing community prayer meeting tonight and I was in awe of the presence of God! Why wouldn’t everyone want to know Him? To be surrounded by His presence? The comfort, peace and security we have in Him cannot be bought! Blessings friend! ♥
Amen Lisa! I am one of those common folk 🙂 Thanks for stopping by friend.
Rahab gives us ordinary folks who have made mistakes, hope! I love this time of year because it’s the one time when people are somewhat focused on the miraculous birth of the King. I’m so thankful that this baby was born and is King of my life!
More than any other time of the year, I find myself really contemplating the whole idea of Emmanuel – God with us. And not just a distant or impersonal God – but a God WITH us. A God LIKE us. A human – who understands what it means to be here on earth.
I am speechless at the love He brings…
GOD BLESS!
I’m always encouraged when I look at the lineage of Jesus and see those “common folk” in there. There is hope for all of us to be a part of his family!