In the third set of generations, we find
God’s faithfulness to complete His plan. Can you see the hand of God moving in
and through this entire genealogy? I’m
trying my best to make this family tree a little more interesting.
The one thing that all 42 of those listed
had in common was that they all knew about and were waiting for the “Messiah”
the one promised through Abraham “and through your offspring all nations on
earth will be blessed”…and then through David “I will establish your line
forever and make your throne firm through all generations.” The people waited,
and waited, generation after generation, and still no Messiah. 2 Peter 3:4 tells us that “scoffers would say, ‘Where is this coming he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning.” In this final list, Matthew teaches us about God’s faithfulness. “When the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son…” And, when the fullness of time comes once again…Jesus will come again.
When Jesus, the Holy One, came, he was a literal descendent of King David just as God had promised. He was the “branch of Jesse” just as God had said he would be; but the one thing we really need to see in this genealogical list, the one thing that will really help us today, is that Jesus was not the son of Joseph, he was the Son of God! As we read through these verses we hear; So and so was the father of so and so and so on… but, when we come to verse 16 - look at it again - underline it - highlight it - “and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus”! Notice, he’s not Joseph’s son, He’s Mary’s son; He’s not Joseph’s boy, He’s God’s boy! Joseph is listed as “the husband of Mary.”
Now, take this home with you today; This is where the bloodline ends. It ends here in Matthew, and it ends here in Luke. Why? Because from this point in history on, the only thing that truly matters is our relationship to Christ, not our ancestry! We don’t receive eternal life based on our bloodline, but based on our faith in Christ. Now, here’s the greatest news of all! Based on our faith in Christ, we become children of God! ”Children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husbands will, but born of God” says John 1:13…How’s that for a family tree?…From the end of this genealogy I could say; “Pastor Fred; born again of Jesus; whose father was God!
God’s love endureth forever! His hand still moves in our world today!
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