The family of Jesus
Jesus’ Family
For the next couple of weeks, we are going to take a break from our study through John to celebrate Christmas. So this week we are going to start by studying the genealogies of Jesus’ family. The same place Matthew started when recording the story of Jesus and maybe the most skipped passage in the entire Bible. There are two genealogies of Jesus covered in the gospels. The first is in Matthew 1:1-17, this genealogy covers Joseph’s (Jesus’ adopted father) genealogy. One thing that I find most interesting about the genealogy in Matthew is that it starts with Abraham showing that Jesus was the Savior of Israel. We see this theme all throughout the gospel of Matthew, that Matthew is showing Jesus from the Jewish perspective and that He truly is the Christ that came to redeem the Israelites. The Israelites were Matthew’s target audience. The other genealogy is in Luke 3:23-38. Luke differs in who he is writing to, we see that Luke is writing to Theophilus which means friend of God or (be) loved of God. This could be a real person, but it could also be that Luke was writing to all who are friends of God. Either way, Luke writes Jesus’ genealogy from the perspective of Mary (you can read more about that here https://www.gotquestions.org/Mary-lineage.html) and traces it all the way to Adam showing that Jesus was the Savior of all the world. They are very similar because both Joseph and Mary were both from the line of David as was prophesied so many times throughout the Old Testament. One that sticks out to me is 2 Samuel 7:12-17 where the Lord is telling David through Nathan that when David dies his line will never lose God’s, steadfast love. The Lord is also tell him, his family line would be disciplined and that one day there would be One that reigns on his throne forever.
History of the family of Jesus
We see that many of the people in Jesus’ genealogy are also recorded in the Old Testament. When we look at the people in Jesus’ genealogy we do not see perfect people, we see sinful men and women, but yet God chose them to be a part of bringing the only perfect man and Savior to the world. I think we have to be careful because there is an underlying movement in the Church that we do not need the Old Testament, that it is unimportant and some have even started to disregard it completely. We must be careful not to fall into this pattern of thought because the Old Testament is not replaced by the New Testament, it is all one complete account that has been inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). I encourage you if you would like to study this deeper to go name by name through the genealogy and see what the Bible records about them in the Old Testament you will see that Jesus was being foreshadowed all throughout the Old Testament. It really builds up your faith to see that Jesus was a real man with a real ancestry. But, Jesus was not just another man He was before all His earthly ancestors, He was before time itself and without Him was not anything made (John 1:3, Colossians 1:17, John 8:48-59). He is God but yet He is also man, it was not a union of the two Spirits, but He was both at the exact same time. While He was being formed in His mother’s womb, He was also holding all things together (Colossians 1:17).
Greatest Gift
We have to remember that Christmas is not just another day on the calendar, it is the day that we celebrate the birth of Jesus! It is not about the presents under the tree or any other Christmas traditions, no it is all about Him coming down and dwelling with us. But He did not just come to dwell with us, no He came for something bigger, He came to die for us so that we could live forever with Him. He became man and humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). That is the beauty and meaning of Christmas that God loves you so much that He sent His son which was part of Himself to come and die so that He could be with you forever (John 3:16-21). You have worth that is above what any of us can imagine. Today you can accept the gift that Jesus came to give you, the gift of eternal life, the greatest gift ever given. There is literally no better season than this to give your life to Him. If you would like to accept Him as your Lord and Savior all you have to do is to admit that you are a sinner, believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, and confess Him as Lord of your life (Romans 10:9).
Our Purpose
So this week, know that Jesus came for all and no matter who you are, He came to die for you so that you could live forever with Him. He wants to have a relationship with you. Also during this time we need to remember that none who were in Jesus’ lineage were perfect, but He chose them to be the ancestors of the only perfect man and the Savior of the world. Today Jesus can do the same for you no matter what you have done. You can be a part of what God is doing today. Jesus told us before He went to heaven the purpose of all Christians, He said “go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 Remember this as you go throughout this Christmas season.