God's Love Exemplified Through Relational Bonds
Scripture Passage: Matthew 1:1-17 (NASB)
1 The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham:
2 Abraham fathered Isaac, Isaac fathered Jacob, and Jacob fathered Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah fathered Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez fathered Hezron, and Hezron fathered Ram. 4 Ram fathered Amminadab, Amminadab fathered Nahshon, and Nahshon fathered Salmon. 5 Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab, Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth, and Obed fathered Jesse. 6 Jesse fathered David the king.
David fathered Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. 7 Solomon fathered Rehoboam, Rehoboam fathered Abijah, and Abijah fathered Asa. 8 Asa fathered Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat fathered Joram, and Joram fathered Uzziah. 9 Uzziah fathered Jotham, Jotham fathered Ahaz, and Ahaz fathered Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah fathered Manasseh, Manasseh fathered Amon, and Amon fathered Josiah. 11 Josiah fathered Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
12 After the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah fathered Shealtiel, and Shealtiel fathered Zerubbabel. 13 Zerubbabel fathered Abihud, Abihud fathered Eliakim, and Eliakim fathered Azor. 14 Azor fathered Zadok, Zadok fathered Achim, and Achim fathered Eliud. 15 Eliud fathered Eleazar, Eleazar fathered Matthan, and Matthan fathered Jacob. 16 Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.
SUMMARY
The book of Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus, who is the Messiah, who is the son of David and the son of Abraham. This was prophesied long before his birth. Jesus not only came from the line of David, but also other patriarchs of our faith, such as Isaac and Jacob. This genealogy lists Joseph as Jesus’ earthly father. Jesus’ lineage is fourteen generations from Abraham to King David, and then from David to the deportation to Babylon is another fourteen generations.
REFLECTION
God’s ways are perfect. When we look at this genealogy, God was faithful and excellent to keep his promise of bringing the world our Messiah, our Savior. He did so through many generations, many kings, and different time periods. It began with Abraham, who is the father of our faith, and through many generations. As I see the different forefathers listed in this genealogy, from Isaac to Jacob, Boaz, David, Solomon, Joseph, etc, I think about God actively working during the entire time to orchestrate everything to come together so that the world would receive the Messiah. God was always at work to fulfill the prophecy, to fulfill the wonderful plan of redemption and saving his children. Jesus was fully man, as evidenced by this humanly genealogical record, but he was fully God, as he was the God himself who humbled himself from his heavenly throne to come down to the world. God does everything well, and he will be true to his Word.
APPLICATION
This passage reminds me that God is a God of relationships. Particularly, the relationship of father to son, families, and the promises and faith being passed down through generations can be seen through this genealogy. Relationships and familial bonds are important to God. I think about the tender-hearted affection and love our father has for us. He wants to show us a picture of who we are in relation to our father. The passing down of faith, character traits, love and relationships that hold the bonds of God’s promise together.
This passage reiterates to me God’s heart and will for my own family and children. God is working through the familial bonds and relationships that tie us together. He is painting a picture for us to see the love of Christ and the promises in His Word that he will be faithful to complete. My husband and I will pass down our faith to our children in faith and through prayers, and I will continue to cover my immediate and extended family with prayers and blessings.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, I am enamored and humbled by your ways. Thank you for coming to the world to be our Savior and Messiah, which you planned from the beginning, knowing our weakness and iniquities. Thank you for working through the forefathers of our faith, so that we may learn more about you through the work you did in their lives. Help me to bless my family and my children, because I know this is your will and your heart for me.
Thank you, Jesus. In your name I pray, Amen.
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