Challenge from last time: What god did King Ahaziah go to for knowledge of his future? (II Kings 1:2)
“Historical Records from Adam to Abraham” (title of a section of chapter 1)
This chapter is the beginning of the geneology of Jesus Christ. Matthew, chapter 1, has the entire lineage from Adam to Jesus. Please be patient and read through the names of the men that lead up to Jesus. Take note of some names you recognize. Here we go:
Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methusalah, Lamech, Noah, Shem, Arphaxad, Shelah, Eber, Peleg, Reu, Serug, Nahor, Terah, Abram (Abraham). That’s 20 generations.
Isaac, Jacob (Israel), Judah, Perez, Hezron, Rau, Amminadab, Nahshon, Salmon, Boaz, Obed, Jesse, David. 13 generations.
Solomon, Rehoboam, Abijah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, Uzziah, Jothan, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, Josiah, Jeconiah, Shealtiel, Zerubbabel, Abiud, Eliakim, Azor, Zadok, Akim, Eliud, Eleazar, Matthan, Jacob, Joseph. 26 generations.
Jesus, the Christ!
There are some notable women in the list too. Eve isn’t mentioned in the geneology, but she’s important! (smile) Those listed are Tamar, Rahab (a prostitute), Ruth (a Moabite), Bathsheba, and Mary. But we won’t forget Sarah, Rebekah or Rachel, also not listed.
Some of the people in this list aren’t predecessors anyone would boast about. Others are great fathers and mothers of the faith. Yet they all were links in the chain that led to Jesus. None were perfect; the Bible is very honest about their weaknesses.
“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” (I Corinthians 15:22) Adam’s first sin introduced all mankind to death. There’s no denying it. We are all going to die — physically. (Unless we are among the living when Jesus returns.) But 59 generations after creation, Jesus came so we can have eternal life–spiritually. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient…But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2: 1,4-5)
I’m thankful for each man and woman in that list. And I’m grateful for the historians that kept very careful record of this particular family tree. Why is it important? Jesus is the complete and perfect fulfillment of each prophecy about the Messiah. If He was not the direct descendant of David and Abraham and Adam, He could not be our Savior.
Further consideration:
*Which names in the geneology of Jesus did you recognize?
*How far back can you go, naming your ancestors?
*Who are your spiritual mothers and fathers? Who are the people that introduced you to God and Jesus?
Prayer: God and Father, thank you for the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus Christ; and for my salvation through Him. Thank you for Lyla and Marvin, my parents, who taught and lived so I would know You. Thank you for their parents , and their parents before them; for those who took the risk of leaving their homes in “the old country” to start new in America. Thank you that You, God, are my Abba. I love you so much. AMEN.
Inspire, Inspired, Inspires 