Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17 (Advent Reading: Luke 2:1-7)
Intro: Welcome to the second week of Advent. We light the Bethlehem candle, remembering Jesus came to make His home with us and bring peace. Our text today, Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, might seem like just a list of names, but it's foundational. It grounds the Christmas story in real history, reveals God's faithfulness to His promises through generations, and shows us the surprising, inclusive nature of the family Jesus came to build.
Key Points:
- History, Not Myth: Matthew begins by rooting Jesus in a real family tree, connecting Him to actual people and events. This isn't "once upon a time"; it's God stepping into human history.
- Promises Fulfilled (v. 1): Starting with "Son of David, Son of Abraham" highlights two core Old Testament promises Jesus fulfills:
- Son of Abraham: Through Abraham's line, God promised to bless all nations (Gen 12:3). Jesus is this universal blessing.
- Son of David: God promised David an eternal heir and an everlasting kingdom (2 Sam 7:12-13). Jesus is this King.
- Good News, Not Advice: This genealogy announces good news – what God has done in Christ. It's not advice on how we save ourselves; it's the news that God has acted to save us. We can stop striving because He has come.
- A Surprisingly Messy Tree: Unlike typical genealogies that only list heroes, Matthew includes scandalous and unexpected figures:
- Outsider Women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba ("Uriah's wife") – women in a patriarchal list, including Gentiles and those touched by sexual scandal.
- Flawed Men: From Abraham and David's major failures to numerous ungodly kings who led Israel into exile.
- Good News for All People: This messy lineage shows Jesus didn't come for perfect people but stepped into human brokenness – sin, scandal, failure, exclusion. He came for people with problems, including gender outsiders, racial outsiders, and moral outsiders. His family is radically inclusive.
- Grafted into God's Family: Through faith in Jesus, we are grafted into this family tree. Our identity is no longer defined by our imperfect past or family of origin, but by our adoption as children of God through Christ's redemptive work.
Conclusion: Jesus' genealogy isn't a polished resume but a powerful testament to God's grace working through flawed people and complex history to bring salvation to the world. He stepped into our mess to make us part of His family, fulfilling ancient promises and establishing a kingdom for all who believe.
Call to Action: Hear the good news today: God keeps His promises. You can stop trying to save yourself because He has come to save you. Lay down self-righteousness. Embrace your place in God's diverse, grace-filled family, grafted in not by your merit but by Christ's work. Come to the communion table celebrating that through Jesus, you belong to the family and kingdom of God.
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The Gospel of Matthew: Jesus' Family Tree (Matthew 1:1-17)
with Ryan Turner
*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI.
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