Great News from the Generations of Jesus

Have you ever read the genealogies at the beginning of the Gospel of Matthew and again in the Gospel of Luke. This list of names in Matthew, which begins with Abraham and ends with Joseph, traces the lineage of Jesus from Abraham all the way to His own birth. If you are like me, it is easy to skip a few lines when reading over these verses. However, in today’s #OneMinuteMondays post I share with your three incredible observations from the list of names which begin the Gospel of Matthew – Great News from the Generations of Jesus.

Matthew summarized his thoughts in this final verse:

So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations. (Matthew 1:17)

Observation 1 – Jesus’ birth fulfills a promise given to Abraham.

The list of names begins with Abraham. While Abraham was alive, God made him a special promise. God promised him that the whole world would be blessed by his son. The angel of the Lord said, “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice” (Genesis 22:18).

When Jesus is born, which the genealogy helps us see, we learn exactly how God fulfills this promise. No one knew in Genesis that the fulfillment of this promise to Abraham would result in the birth of Jesus – which ultimately blessed the entire world.

Observation 2 – Jesus’ birth fulfills a promise given to David.

Matthew also emphasizes the fulfillment of a promise given to King David. David is mentioned because Jesus fulfills a special promise given to David as well. God made a covenant promise to David, which reads, “Any your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16).

Matthew’s gospel reveals Jesus as the King who came. Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. The Old Testament prophesies of the coming King who would sit on the throne of David forever. Jesus is that king.

Observation 3 – God includes the outcasts and downtrodden.

As you read Matthew 1:1-17, the genealogy of Jesus emphasizes God’s work among the outcasts and downtrodden. How Matthew emphasizes God’s mercy to Gentiles, sinners, and sufferers is incredible. Matthew includes four specific individuals who highlight this specifically.

Matthew includes Tamar (who had a baby by tricking her father-in-law into intercourse), Rahab (a harlot), Ruth (a Moabites), and Bathsheba (Uriah’s wife who was sinned against by King David). Consider for one moment the restoration, redemption, and reconciliation demonstrated by including these Gentile women who were sinners and sufferers – all listed as part of the genealogy of Jesus.

Rejoice in these three observational truths this week

God is a promise-keeping God, Who is sovereign as demonstrated in Jesus’ narrative. He worked providentially in Jesus’ story and works in your story as well. Just as demonstrated in Jesus’ story, you also can trust Him with all the details of your life too.

Have a great day and week glorifying God.