The Genalogy of Jesus Christ
THE GENALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST
Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus, tracing Him back to Abraham, the progenitor of the Jews. Matthew 1:1-17, traces Jesus’ ancestral lineage through the line of Joseph. Although Joseph was not Jesus’ biological father he was his legal father. God had promised that the Messiah would be a descendant of Abraham and David. Matthew traces Jesus’ legal linage back to these two men in order to demonstrate to the Jews that Jesus had the proper genealogy to qualify as the Messiah. Matthew establishes that Jesus was a legal descendant of David by tracing the genealogy of Joseph, who was from the house of David. Although Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, he was still formally registered as Joseph’s son and legally a son of David. Mary the mother of Jesus was described by God as “highly favored,” she received God’s grace. Mary was an ordinary human whom God chose to use in an extraordinary way. She was a righteous woman and favored by God. However, she was a sinful human being who needed Jesus Christ as her Savior, just like everyone else GOD’S COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND JACOB God promised Abraham three things; a land, a great nation through his descendants, and a blessing that would affect all the nation of the earth. Abraham marks the beginning of the Hebrew people. Because he responded to God’s call and promise with faith, he is the true example of saving faith. God sought to establish the Abraham covenant with each succeeding generation, beginning with Abraham’s son Isaac. Isaac had Abraham as a father but, he had to also accept God’s promises by faith. Isaac and Rebekah had two children, Esau and Jacob. Normally the blessings of the covenant would go to the firstborn, Esau. But, God revealed to Rebekah that her older son would serve the younger. Esau showed no desire for God’s covenant blessings. However, Jacob desired the spiritual blessings promised to Abraham, so
Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus, tracing Him back to Abraham, the progenitor of the Jews. Matthew 1:1-17, traces Jesus’ ancestral lineage through the line of Joseph. Although Joseph was not Jesus’ biological father he was his legal father. God had promised that the Messiah would be a descendant of Abraham and David. Matthew traces Jesus’ legal linage back to these two men in order to demonstrate to the Jews that Jesus had the proper genealogy to qualify as the Messiah. Matthew establishes that Jesus was a legal descendant of David by tracing the genealogy of Joseph, who was from the house of David. Although Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, he was still formally registered as Joseph’s son and legally a son of David. Mary the mother of Jesus was described by God as “highly favored,” she received God’s grace. Mary was an ordinary human whom God chose to use in an extraordinary way. She was a righteous woman and favored by God. However, she was a sinful human being who needed Jesus Christ as her Savior, just like everyone else GOD’S COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND JACOB God promised Abraham three things; a land, a great nation through his descendants, and a blessing that would affect all the nation of the earth. Abraham marks the beginning of the Hebrew people. Because he responded to God’s call and promise with faith, he is the true example of saving faith. God sought to establish the Abraham covenant with each succeeding generation, beginning with Abraham’s son Isaac. Isaac had Abraham as a father but, he had to also accept God’s promises by faith. Isaac and Rebekah had two children, Esau and Jacob. Normally the blessings of the covenant would go to the firstborn, Esau. But, God revealed to Rebekah that her older son would serve the younger. Esau showed no desire for God’s covenant blessings. However, Jacob desired the spiritual blessings promised to Abraham, so