Genealogy of Christ

Text: Matthew 1:1-17

Sections of the Bible containing genealogies are often skipped or quickly passed over – even one as significant as the genealogy of Christ. But these verses at the beginning of the New Testament are there for a reason. Let us notice some lessons from the genealogy of Christ.

Jesus was the Fulfillment of God’s Promise to Abraham

  • Jesus was the “son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1)
  • God made a promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) – through his seed (Genesis 22:18); through Isaac, not Ishmael (Genesis 21:12-13)
  • God’s promise was guaranteed (Hebrews 6:13-18) – gives us hope in God’s promises

Jesus was Heir to the Throne of David

  • Jesus was also the “son of David” (Matthew 1:1)
  • Prophecy from Jacob pointed to a ruler from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10; cf. Revelation 5:5; Isaiah 9:6-7) – Mary was told that Jesus would sit on David’s throne (Luke 1:32); Peter cited David’s prophecy and applied it to Jesus (Acts 2:30; cf. Psalm 132:11)
  • His throne would endure forever (Hebrews 1:8)

Jesus’ Throne Would Not Be on the Earth

  • Many people today are looking forward to an earthly kingdom to be ruled by Christ in the future – even Jesus’ own apostles had a misconception like this (Acts 1:6)
  • Jesus descended from Jeconiah (Matthew 1:11-12), which proved that His throne could not be on the earth in Jerusalem – none of Jeconiah’s descendants would rule in Judah (Jeremiah 22:30); this includes Jesus (cf. Hebrews 7:14)
  • God’s throne is in heaven (Psalm 103:9) – Jesus is on His throne (Hebrews 1:8); David even prophesied that this would be in heaven and not on the earth (Acts 2:34-35; cf. Psalm 110:1)

God’s Plans Will Not Be Thwarted by Wicked Men

  • Wicked men included in this list – Jeconiah (Matthew 1:12; 2 Kings 24:8-9), Manasseh (Matthew 1:10; 2 Kings 21:1-2), and others
  • Yet God’s promise to Abraham was going to be fulfilled – nothing can stop God’s plan, not even the gates of Hades (Matthew 16:18)
  • Evil may exist all around us – but God’s promise to us cannot be threatened (Romans 8:35-37)

The Gentiles Have a Place in God’s Plan

  • Matthew’s gospel was directed to the Jews – in general, they viewed the Gentiles with contempt
  • But Matthew’s list included Rahab and Ruth – Rahab was a Canaanite from Jericho (Joshua 2:1); Ruth was a Moabite woman (Ruth 1:4)
  • Gentiles found in the genealogy of Christ – Gentiles would later be found in His kingdom (Ephesians 2:11-16; Isaiah 2:2)

There Can Never Be Another Messiah

  • When Jerusalem was destroyed in 70AD, so were the birth records of the Jewish people – if the Messiah came after that, there would be no way for anyone to trace the genealogy back to David/Abraham
  • Many Jews are still waiting for the Messiah – but the one and only Messiah has come
  • There will not and cannot be another one

Conclusion

  • Given the volume of material covered in the Bible, it is a very concise book – everything in it is there for a reason, even the genealogy of Christ
  • The birth of Christ is important because He came to save us from our sins (Matthew 1:21; Hebrews 2:14-17)