This is the record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah… (Matthew 1:1)
The royal line of Jesus presented by Matthew was not so royal. Seems like the Messiah, King of Kings, would be related to a better group?! I’ve been over these guys before, but some stand out as not so great, like Manasseh—who was perhaps the worst king in Judah’s history? Or interestingly, Rahab, the prostitute, is identified in her place in the family tree. When you think of it, it’s quite a reference. Scandal!? “Front page of the National Jewish Enquirer. Read all about it! The Exceptional Jesus not so Exceptional After All?!”
Yes, the counter-balance is there. It’s full of Israel’s leaders, such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon, Ruth, Josiah, Zerubbabel.
We learn information mentioned nowhere else, like the name of his earthly father Joseph’s father, Jacob. In Luke’s genealogical record, Heli is mentioned as Joseph’s “father”, but some scholars say that Luke’s account may have been Jesus’ lineage traced through Mary, and so the term in the genealogy is used to indicate “father-in-law”. So, that’s all we know about either of Jesus’ grandpas. Just their names. No idea if their knees were ever used for bouncing. Or, if the family regularly packed and went to the gramps’ houses for Passover.
But what is amazing is that Jesus’ family line is traced, known, and in place. For all to see and examine and study and reflect on. It’s public record. Not hidden. Don’t need a special Internet search fee to discover who Jesus is really related to.
And we are encouraged that Jesus was a man (that is, a real person, actually traceable) of the line of Abraham, of the line of David, which is verse 1 of the New Testament. And like all family lines, there are stars, and warts, and a “crazy uncle Manasseh.” There are some family members you want to talk about and exclaim and brag on to friends, and ask if you have seen their plaque in the local hall of fame. “Have you got time? I can take you there!” When others are mentioned, you want to shift your eyes, swallow real hard, and hope the topic changes. Quickly. Like, “What time do the Rams and Cowboys kickoff today?”
I rejoice in this advent season that we have a Savior who was fully man (in addition to being fully God; that’s another topic). A man whose family line is known. And who, with all of our warts, he is not ashamed to call us his own. Even more significantly, he was not ashamed to come to earth for us, redeem us, put us into fellowship with God the Father, and make a way for eternal life.
New Testament scholar Craig Keener points out a couple of interesting things in this genealogy. One is that this brief listing is the fulfillment of Jewish history: Abraham, David, and the lives of the rest have all pointed forward to a distinct time in history…where is it going? To Jesus of Nazareth! He’s not an afterthought, or accident or happen-stance…He’s the fulfillment of all that was ahead!
Also, Matthew references Gentile women, three of whom were in the line of King David, including the one who is the mother of King Solomon. Those references point to a story fulfillment that includes Gentiles. As great as this genealogy is, documenting the family history of the long-awaited Jewish Messiah, it’s not Jewish-only, representing Jewish domination, Jewish isolation, or Jewish separateness. It is God’s plan for the people of God to include Gentiles, together with Jews. It’s a mixed family, if you will. Gentiles are in his plan…and that’s why the church has spent centuries outside Judaism going forth with God’s message.
Way beyond talk of the family-tree specifics and who is related to whom, the Messiah demonstrated with ultimate sacrifice that he is proud of us, as his adopted relatives. He puts us, voluntarily, into his family line through believing on Him. And he will do anything to keep us in his family.
“Father, thank you for this amazing family line of Jesus that has been handed down to us. We are in awe of how you planned this for your good and for your eternal purposes.”
Freddy Boswell 