Monday, October 5, 2026

          Matthew 1 and Luke 3 share at least one thing in common.  Both chapters contain a lot of names...some familiar and some may be unfamiliar to readers.  These chapters are known as genealogy chapters.  We learn about Jesus’ ancestors and from whom He descended.  These chapters validate some of the prophecies made about Jesus and the circumstances of His birth and lineage.  Often, we can be tempted to race through lengthy chapters with lots of names and genealogy.  We can trick ourselves into thinking these names offer little direction, comfort or encouragement for us.  But we would be wrong to skip such chapters or rush through them.  These chapters are gold mines just waiting for us to explore.  Also, we have to remember that all Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit and has something good for us to know and experience.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 teaches us that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
            Matthew 1’s account teaches us that there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen generations from David to the Babylonian Exile and fourteen generations from the end of this exile to the birth of Jesus.  We can see that for forty-two consecutive generations God was at work faithfully and ceaselessly to bring forth His Son Jesus and the gospel message that Jesus embodies.  God never took a day off or a vacation from His salvation work.  What an amazing testimony to the goodness and patience of God to bring His Son into the world to save lost sinners!  Luke 3 shows us the lineage of Jesus all the way back to Adam himself.  From Adam forward, God was at work to bring forth the new Adam—His Son Jesus who lived the kind of obedient life that God had called Adam to live. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:45, “So it is written: The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.”  Jesus lived in our place as well as dying in our place.
            We find in both Matthew 1 and Luke 3 that Jesus descended from Boaz—the husband of Ruth and the great-grandfather of David.  Jesus’ connection to David and the kings of Judah remind us that Jesus is the King of all kings.  He is the everlasting King who will reign for eternity in majesty and glory.  Jesus is a descendant of Solomon—the wisest man who ever lived and the author of Proverbs.  Yet, Jesus’ wisdom far surpasses the wisdom and grandeur of Solomon.  Jesus taught with authority and clarity and stumped the religious teachers and leaders of His day who could not match His wisdom and power. 
            We find Abraham’s name mentioned by both Matthew and Luke.  We remember Abraham for being a model of faith and trust.  The Bible says that Abraham believed God and it was credited to Him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6 and Romans 4:3).  This word faith reminds us that Jesus is the One we trust.  He is the One in whom we place our full faith for forgiveness, everlasting life and to see us through life’s turns and valleys.  Jesus is the ultimate embodiment of faithfulness.  He keeps His promises and never forgets His people. He has vowed to return again one day to claim His people and we live today in anticipation of that holy promise.
            At the end of Jesus’ genealogy, we find the name of Joseph.  Though Joseph was not Jesus’ biological father, He was a paragon of integrity and virtue.  He stayed with Mary even when it was made clear to Him that she was pregnant.  His trust that Mary’s child had come from the Holy Spirit reminds us that God can be trusted in good times and hard times. Even when others did not know the backstory or the circumstances of Mary’s pregnancy, Joseph stayed true and faithful both to Mary and the Lord.  He kept his word.  And, in a big way, Joseph stayed true to Jesus—the Son who was not his own but the Son he would raise. And this Son, Jesus, would be the One who saved Joseph from his own sins.  Biblical genealogies are extraordinary and have much to contribute to our daily faith.  Have a great Monday!