Monday, October 6, 2025

The New Testament and Matthew’s gospel begin with these opening words, “This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1).  It can be easy to make two mistakes.  One, we can easily read quickly past this verse.  And two, we can easily read past the first seventeen verses of Matthew’s gospel and the New Testament.  We can presume that there is little for us to see other than some minor genealogical details.  But we have some important biblical truth to examine in these first sixteen words of Matthew. 
            First, we learn that the gospels (including Matthew) give us history—not mythology, fiction or poetry.  We are reading a biography of Jesus of Nazareth—the Son of the Most-High God.  Jesus was, and is, real.  He was (is) the invisible God who became flesh, blood and bones by being born of the virgin Mary and growing into manhood.  He was every bit as real as other historical figures that we call to mind—presidents, princes, prime ministers and people of lasting influence.  The story of Jesus has never faded away because Jesus has not faded away.  He remains real and alive today.
            Second, we learn that Jesus is the Messiah.  The word “messiah” is Hebrew in origin and means the same as its Greek counterpart “Christ.”  Both expressions mean one who is chosen, anointed and set aside for a particular purpose and mission.  To call Jesus Messiah means we call Him Savior.  We can know Him personally as Savior and as the One who transforms everything about us.  To be Savior means that Jesus has literally rescued us from a certain death and placed our feet on solid ground.  Psalm 40:1-3 says to us, “I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him.”
            Third, Jesus was a historical figure—a descendant of David and Abraham.  Both of these men were (are) giants in the history and theology of Israel.  They remain unforgettable.  Knowing that Jesus was, and is, a historical figure teaches us that God works in history.  God works His purposes in the context of our days and times.  Because of human sin and rebellion and the Fall in the Garden of Eden, God intervened in human history to reverse the tragic and hopeless slide and course of mankind.  God refused to hand His creation over to Satan.  Instead, God began His salvation work and story in Israel—raising up a nation and people from which His Son would come to deliver us.
            Fourth, Jesus is the conclusion of the work that God initiated in Abraham and continued in David.  As glorious as David’s reign was, Jesus’ reign will be even grander and more glorious.  He will assume the literal throne of all creation to reign forever and ever.  John saw that day in Revelation 11:15 when He wrote, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” God is glorified by the reign of His Son.  Jesus brings to completion all that the Father had started in the names and lives of those named in Matthew 1:1-17. 
            We find Jesus on every page of the Bible.  The Bible is about Jesus.  The Old Testament points us forward to Him. The New Testament points us back to what Jesus said, did and accomplished for us through His cross and empty tomb.  Even the opening genealogy of Matthew reveals to us the precise, methodical march God made through history to fulfill His saving work in Jesus and Jesus alone.  When you read the Bible, no matter what book, ask God to help you read with eyes of faith so you too can see Jesus on every page.  Have a great Monday!  Remember you can share our worship anytime at YouTube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.