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Home , Genealogy of Jesus, Heli (biblical figure), Jeconiah, Judah (son of Jacob), Luke 3, Matthew 1

The Genealogy of (:1-17; :23-38)

Introduction: The Value of Having Two Genealogies of Jesus Christ.

A. All Scripture is profitable (2 Tim. 3:16-17) including the genealogies of Christ as recorded in Matthew 1 and Luke 3!

1. Though some may consider it a dry, laborious genealogical table of names, it actually is profitable for doctrine and instruction in righteousness.

2. Therefore, we are going to study it not only for its historical value, but its spiritual value as it relates to our faith in Jesus Christ.

’s account of the genealogy gives the lineage of Jesus through his B. Matthew father (though Joseph is not his real father).

1. In accordance with Jewish heritage, legal inheritance would come through the father, even though not blood related.

2. Matthew's genealogy shows that Jesus had a legal right to be the through Joseph.

Note: The genealogy Matthew provides is not exhaustive (some names are omitted) but highly selective to demonstrate sufficient ancestry for Jesus to be the Messiah.

C. Luke gives the genealogy through Mary, even though he begins with Joseph – ("as was supposed" Luke 3:23).

’s account of the genealogy is different than Note: Luke Matthew's in that Matthew started with and came forward. Luke starts with Jesus and works backward.

Note: Depending on the translation, the spelling of names may vary a little.

1. When Joseph is said to be the son of (Eli), Heli was actually Joseph's father-in-law (Joseph's father was really Mat. 1:16).

a. Eli is connected to Joseph for lineage purposes. Eli really was Mary's father.

2. Luke's record shows that Jesus was qualified by a natural, blood line through His real mother according to the flesh.

’ or lineage 3. In every way we look at Jesus , He is qualified to be the Messiah or the Christ of !

1 ’s Genealogy o I. Matthew f Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-17). ’s account is consistent with the nature and purpose of his . A. Matthew

1. Matthew wrote for the ; Mark wrote for the Romans; Luke wrote for the Greeks; John wrote for the church.

2. Matthew's gospel was designed to convince Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. a. Genealogy was extremely important to the people of (e.g. Gen. 5, 10; -9). b. Fulfillment of Jewish prophecy concerning the Messiah is a recurring theme in Matthew (e.g. Mat. 1:22-23).

’s genealogy shows that Jesus fulfills two Messianic requirements. B. Matthew 1. The Messiah had to be a descendant of Abraham (Gen. 22:18). 2. The Messiah had to be a descendant of (Isa. 11:1-2). 3. The genealogy proclaims this to be true of Jesus.

’s genealogy is divided in a special way. C. Matthew 1. Three sections of fourteen names each: a. Abraham to David b. David to the c. Babylonian captivity to Jesus

2. This may have been to facilitate committing to memory which may explain why some names were omitted.

Example: Between Joram and there were three kings (Ahaziah, Joash, & Amaziah)

3. But such omissions were not unusual in Jewish genealogies; minor figures were often deleted. 4. The main purpose was to establish essential connections, not minor details.

’s account proves Jesus’ legal right to David’s throne. D. Matthew

1. Not His "fleshly" right, for Matthew describes Jesus as the adopted son of Joseph. 2. Luke (SLIDE) records the "fleshly" ancestry of Jesus. a. A record of His ancestry from His mother's side b. Where He is shown to have descended from David through (#36), not

3. This helps to answer a puzzling dilemma found in the OT: a. God promised that the Messiah would come from the loins of David.

2 b. But a descendant through Solomon, was so wicked that God promised none of his descendants would rule on the throne of David (Jer. 22:30).

c. How then would God fulfill His promise to David that the Messiah would come from his physical lineage?

d. By a descendant from a son other than Solomon which Jesus was, having descended in the flesh from Nathan.

“legal” 4. So Jesus is both "fleshly" and heir to the throne of David. a. "Fleshly" heir by virtue of His birth by Mary, descendant ’s account). of Nathan (Luke b. "Legal" heir by virtue of His adoption by Joseph, descendant of ’s account Solomon by the wife of Uriah (Matthew ).

’s insertion of four mother’s names. E. Matthew

1. They are unique, not only to be included in such a list, but in that each “tainted” or impure in some way: were a. played a harlot (Gen. 38). b. was a harlot (Josh. 2). c. originally the wife of Uriah was an adulteress.

Matt 1:6 And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah (Bathsheba)

d. , though morally good and noble, was a , a Moabite.

… Matt 1:5 the father of by Ruth

2. Why mention these four women? Perhaps to suggest... a. The relation of Christ to sinners. b. Jesus would be a King to show mercy and pity to harlots, and open His kingdom to include (Mat. 21:31; :32).

’s Christ (Luke 3:23 II. Luke -38).

A. Remember, Luke's genealogy reveals that Jesus was qualified by a natural, blood line through His real mother Mary according to the flesh.

’s genealogy of Jesus is 1. Thus, Luke given through Mary, not Joseph.

B. Yet, both Mary and Joseph descended from David, critical to lineage of the Messiah. 1. Mary descended from David through Nathan (Luke 3:31). 2. While Joseph descended from David through Solomon (Mat. 1:6).

3 3. That Mary was descended from David is also implied by: a. The 's statement that Jesus would receive the throne of His father David (:30-32).

b. There are other statements in the N.T. that imply a flesh and blood relationship through Mary (Rom. 1:1-4; Gal. 4:4).

III. What are Some Lessons We Can Learn from the Genealogy of Christ? A. God always keeps His word. 1. He made promises to Abraham, David, and through . 2. The coming of Jesus, son of David, son of Abraham, fulfilled that promise! 3. In like manner, we can have confidence that God will keep His word to ’s final coming ( us in His promise of His Son Acts 1:11).

B. Godliness is not inherited. 1. Many godly fathers have had ungodly sons! a. Solomon had (who set up idols in ). b. had Manasseh (rebuilt the pagan shrines destroyed) c. had Jeconiah (who was an evil, rebellious king) 2. As it has been said, "God has no grandchildren" a. Being a child of God does not insure that your children will be God's children! 3. As parents, let us be diligent to raise our children in the way of (Eph. 6:4).

’s mercy and compassion. C. The greatness of our Lord

1. We take it for granted sometimes; Jesus humbled Himself when He left the glories of heaven to come to this earth to live in the likeness of men (Phil. 2:5-8). 2. The Son of God lived as a man for our sakes! a. To taste death for everyone (Heb. 2:9). b. To help bring us to glory (Heb. 2:10). c. To deliver us from the fear and power of death (Heb. 2:14-15). d. To become our merciful and faithful High Priest (Heb. 2:16-18).

Conclusion: The genealogy of Jesus Christ established the right of Jesus to be the ’s mercy: Messiah. And it reminds us of God

A. In the lives of so many sinful men and women that were included in his lineage.

B. In our own lives by fulfilling His promise to send His Son to die for our sins!

C. Have you received the mercy God offers through Jesus Christ the Son of David, the Son of Abraham, the Son of God?

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