We begin our journey with Jesus in Mathew's Gospel with a genealogy. For those that struggle with the lists of the Bible, this doesn't bode well for your introduction or your decision to continue with your reading through this particular book. Fortunately, this is the only one we'll encounter in Matthew!
Why are genealogies important? For Jesus, we have this one in Matthew and a variance of it in Luke. Not everyone in this day and age seemed to share in their importance. Titus 3:9 states specifically:
"But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless." (NRSV)
It is helpful to remember that at the time of this letter, the New Testament canon had not yet been established!
What may be helpful for us to see here are the details. Matthew tells us that Jesus is the Messiah which is an important figure in Judaism. He sets Jesus in the line of Abraham and then of David. It would be presumed that if he was in the line of David, he would naturally be in the line of Abraham. However in verse 17, we see the history of Israel divided into three separate groups of fourteen. Fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen generations from David to the Exile and fourteen generations from the Exile to Jesus. Fourteen is twice the number seven which is featured in scripture as a perfect number.
As we look at the narrative of the Bible, we see how Matthew breaks up the generations. Abraham to David is an important movement from the beginnings of the covenant to the height of the monarchy. David to the Exile moves the other direction with the low moment in Israel's history. Now we move back to the present moment in history (at that time) with the coming of the Messiah. We are moving back to the pinnacle of God's redemptive work through Jesus Christ (which means Messiah).
If we were to think about our own histories, how would we factor Jesus into our timelines? Where would you divide your life into highs and lows and where is the redemptive work of God in your story?
Prayer for the day:
God of our mothers and fathers,
you have walked with me throughout my life,
you have shaped me in ways I may never fully realize,
you have led me to blessing,
you have called me to offer grace.
May I continue to discover my identity in Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Picture used under the Creative Commons license.
As we look at the narrative of the Bible, we see how Matthew breaks up the generations. Abraham to David is an important movement from the beginnings of the covenant to the height of the monarchy. David to the Exile moves the other direction with the low moment in Israel's history. Now we move back to the present moment in history (at that time) with the coming of the Messiah. We are moving back to the pinnacle of God's redemptive work through Jesus Christ (which means Messiah).
If we were to think about our own histories, how would we factor Jesus into our timelines? Where would you divide your life into highs and lows and where is the redemptive work of God in your story?
Prayer for the day:
God of our mothers and fathers,
you have walked with me throughout my life,
you have shaped me in ways I may never fully realize,
you have led me to blessing,
you have called me to offer grace.
May I continue to discover my identity in Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Picture used under the Creative Commons license.
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