THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 1:1-17
“This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (Matthew 1:1)
Matthew’s genealogy differs from Luke’s (Luke 3:23-28).
It has been suggested that Matthew uses Mary’s line, while Luke uses Joseph’s line.
Matthew traces Jesus line to David to highlight His Messianic kingship.
Luke traces Jesus line to Adam, to highlight His identity as the restored Son of God.
There were not actually 14 generations, but this Matthew’s way of making a point.
He is showing the connection between Jesus the promised Messiah and David
The numerical value (gematra) of David’s name in Hebrew (d-v-d) is fourteen.
But most curious, there are four women included (Tamar v.3, Rahab v.5, Ruth v.5, Bathsheba v.6).
These women have less than stellar reputations, yet they are included in Jesus’ family tree.
Tamar was impregnated by her father-in-law when she posed as a prostitute.
Rahab and Ruth were foreigners, and Bathsheba had an affair with David.
Why include these women, instead of Sarah, Rachel, Rebecca?
I sense the Spirit assuring me that even I am welcome in Jesus’ family, even though I’m a sinner.
Jesus welcomes all kinds of people into His family, and He uses us all too.
He still wants to bring Himself into the world through me.
Just as these people were instrumental in ‘giving birth’ to Jesus, I can do that in my life.
How will more ‘sinners’ be added to Jesus’ family tree through me?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for loving, forgiving and accepting me, and using me to help others enter Jesus’ family. Help me to reproduce Jesus today, through my words and actions.