Summary:
The Genealogy of Jesus
Verses 1-17
This is the record of the line of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham.
Key: -> = father of
[ ] = mother of
- Abraham -> Isaac -> Jacob (aka Israel) -> Judah and his brothers
- Judah + [Tamar] -> Perez, Zerah
- Perez -> Hezron -> Ram -> Amminadab -> Nahshon -> Salmon + [Rahab (the one that helped Joshua at Jericho - *my conclusion)] -> Boaz
- Boaz + [Ruth] -> Obed -> Jesse -> King David
- David + [Uriah's wife (Bathsheba)] -> Solomon -> Rehoboam -> Abijah -> Asa -> Jehoshaphat -> Jehoram -> Uzziah -> Jotham -> Ahaz -> Hezekiah -> Manasseh -> Amon -> Josiah -> Jeconiah (aka Jehoiachin) and his brothers (at the time of the exile to Babylon)
- post-exile: Jeconiah -> Shealtiel -> Zurubbabel -> Abiud -> Eliakim -> Azor -> Zadok -> Akim -> Eliud -> Eleazar -> Matthan -> Jacob -> Joseph
- Joseph: Holy Spirit + [Mary] -> Jesus Christ
There are 14 generations between Abraham and David, between David and the exile of Israel, and between the exile and Christ.
Lori's Thoughts:
Family is really imporant to God. He honored several of His servants by adding them to the royal line of Christ. Abraham, the man of great faith. Faith that allowed him to be willing to give up his son, but instead he became the father of nations. David, a man after God's own heart. Solomon, the wisest and greatest king of Israel. Rahab, a spy for Israel that did not die with Jericho, but was adopted into God's chosen nation. Ruth, a loyal woman, even when she had no more legal ties to her mother-in-law. She gave up her freedom for family and gained a husband (so romantic). Joseph, a man so selfless and humble, he'd divorce Mary in secret for bearing a child not his own. A man who accepted and obyed God's word that made little sense to humans. And, Mary. A woman willing to be the vessel that would bring our Savior to earth, so He could save us from sin and show us how to live.
With a network like that, God enables us to stand firmly in faith. No one is perfect. Jacob fought with God, David had an affair and committed murder, the Israelites abandoned God and were exiled from the land God gave them. But, God has a knack for turning things around. David was reconciled with God and out of David's affair resulted the birth of Solomon, Israel's greatest king. Out of the exile, faith was restored in Israel and they still were included in the line of Christ. All it takes is one person to hold onto their faith. It's contagious. In a family, biological or not, we hold each other accountable and help each other progress in and keep our faith. This is why the devil works hard to break families up.
Summary, Cont'd...
The Birth of Jesus Christ
Verses 18-25
Mary and Joseph were engaged. Mary became pregnant, before they consummated their marriage, through the Holy Spirit. Joseph was a righteous man and didn't want to publicly disgrace Mary, so he planned to divorce her quietly.
An angel of God appeared to him in a dream and said, " 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.' " (Verses 20b-21)
Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, which means "the Lord saves".
Christ is the Greek form of the Hebrew word, Messiah, which means "the Annointed One".
Immanuel means "God with us".
This event was the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy found in Isaiah 7:14. It states that the virgin will be with child, she will have a son, and they will call Him Immanuel.
When Joseph awoke, he obeyed the angel's message. He had no union with Mary until after Jesus was born.
Lori's Thoughts, Cont'd...
Can you imagine your plans screwed up only to find out that it is God's plan to do something unconventional and greater than what we'd hoped for? I bet Joseph was ready to get married and start a family. It was custom. It was the honorable thing to do. But, he learned that his betrothed was pregnant and not by him. He feared humiliation, maybe even loneliness. But, God had bigger plans. Joseph, you can still marry Mary and keep your honor. You will be honored even more, because I am placing the Son of God into your care. If it was me, I'd worry that I wouldn't qualify for such a task. Once again, God uses imperfect people for His perfect plan. So, when things go "wrong", ask God what He's trying to teach you and trust Him to work everything out for good.
Now, God communicates with us, sometimes through dreams. I believe in another book, an angel of God appeared to Mary in person. This is how we know that a messenger is from God: They tell us not to be afraid. And, they claim to serve the Lord. Anyone from Satan will want to intimidate us, even if they initially appear alluring. And, they will not claim to serve Jesus Christ, as they claim that He is dead.
"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world." (I John 4:1-3)
Not only is family important, names are important. They define us. You know how Sarahs and Pamelas tend to be polar opposites? I think names are a powerful influence or indicator of our character. When we go to heaven, we'll receive new names. I think we'll be named based on what God intended us to be like. For now, whatever your name is, we serve "the Lord saves, the Annointed One" (Jesus Christ or Jesus Messiah). So, Christians can be called "His annointed ones". We will be anointed by the Holy Spirit.
"John answered them all, 'I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.' " (Luke 3:16)
Let your light shine! Be contagious! Let everyone you come across see how God is good!
No comments:
Post a Comment