Back to Grace
Spiritual heritage is maintained through God’s people living the gospel. Matthew’s record was written to rehearse the story of salvation and present Jesus as the Messiah. That Jesus was born with the titles of Savior and King at the same time was unusual – even today, many Jews are looking for a second Messiah to be a strong and conquering king.
How Jesus was demonstrated to be the royal Christ:
John the Baptist’s declaration in Matthew 3. Satan’s temptation in the desert (Matthew 4): trying to tempt Jesus away from the cross to take his domination of the world now. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is also known as the Manifesto of the King. Miracles are the Credentials of the King. Repetition of the phrase “son of David Jesus predicted His kingdom himself (Matthew 24:30-31, 26:64). Authority over angels (Matthew 26:53). Name of “Immanuel” (Matthew 1:23) and promise of His presence in Matthew 28:19-20. He is with us now just as much as when he was enfleshed and walking about the earth.
Matthew’s genealogy places Jesus fully in line with the history of Old Testament Israel and demonstrates the forward movement of God’s saving purpose. God used both pagans and the righteous to bring about His plan of salvation, even using Christ-rejecters to further the physical line of the Messiah.
The organization of the genealogy (placing names in three groups of fourteen) shows the detail of God’s planning. The time of preparation was now complete and the time was ready for the Christ to appear as the fulfillment of many prophecies.
The genealogy places Jesus squarely in line with the royal line of David and of Judah. Though “king of the Jews” was posted scoffingly on his cross, it was the truth!
Application Points
The coming of God’s promised Christ changed everything. His presence should transform our lives dramatically. How does your life show that the Christ has come?
The genealogy of Christ traces much of salvation history.Look through the names and see if you recognize them.Then go back and read their stores in the Old Testament, and marvel at the omniscient sovereignty of God dominating human history!
Christ’s presence is promised to us for a purpose: to proclaim the good news of why He came to all those who are lost.Unbelievers do not need your righteousness; they need Jesus’ righteousness, and to be drawn to it by seeing your humble righteousness in imitation of His.How do your habits, attitude, speech, music, etc. give witness to Christ?
“Christ” is a title meaning “Messiah” or “Promised One.“His divinity, authority, and position gives Jesus the right to say how to be saved and makes Him worthy of utmost respect.God became man to save us from the condemnation we caused ourselves.Have you accepted His claims and demands?There is no other way to enter the kingdom of Heaven.
God raises up all authority and removes them.Parents, as you give your children opportunities to be light in the culture, make it commensurate with their maturity.And teach them to respect everyone in authority as occupying a position that has been appointed by God.
Tools for Further Study
Cross References to Explore:
1 Samuel 2:10, 2 Samuel 7, Psalm 2, Psalm 105:15 – references to the Promised King and Savior.“Messiah” became the designation of a figure representing the people of God and bringing in the promised eschatological reign in time.
Galatians 4:4-5 – the time of preparation for the Messiah
Titus 2:11-15, 1 Peter 2:4-10, 1 Corinthians 6:1-4, Revelation 5:1-10 – New Testament saints are a royal priesthood and are future rulers when Jesus reigns on earth!
A Quote to Ponder:
G. Campbell Morgan: “This genealogy is remarkable.It is Jewish in its outlook, tracing to Abraham, and is Jesus’ legal genealogy resulting from his adoption by Joseph.It overleaps the Jewish boundary of Rahab, Jewish prejudice in the introduction of women; and by this genealogy, the coming of Jesus is connected with the history of the ancient people, and yet it is shown to be distinct from it.For Jesus came miraculously: the system could not produce Him. He came to crown the system and transform it.So came the king, but his name was called Jesus, for the kingdom had disintegrated and had been devastated by sin.And He, Christ, must be born to save his people from their sins.”
A Hymn to Encourage:Look, Ye Saints, the Sight is Glorious
Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious; See the Man of sorrows now; From the fight returned victorious, Every knee to Him shall bow; Crown Him! Crown Him! Crowns become the Victor’s brow.
Crown the Savior! Angels, crown Him! Rich the trophies Jesus brings; In the seat of pow’r enthrone Him, While the vault of heaven rings: Crown Him! Crown Him! Crown the Savior King of kings.
Sinners in derision crowned Him, Mocking thus the Savior’s claim; Saints and angels crowd around Him, Own His title, praise His name: Crown Him! Crown Him! Spread abroad the Victor’s fame.
Hark! those bursts of acclamation! Hark! those loud triumphant chords! Jesus takes the highest station; O what joy the sight affords! Crown Him! Crown Him! King of kings, and Lord of lords!