Geneaology and Good News
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The Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah
1 This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:
2 Abraham was the father of Isaac,Isaac the father of Jacob,Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,Perez the father of Hezron,Hezron the father of Ram,
4 Ram the father of Amminadab,Amminadab the father of Nahshon,Nahshon the father of Salmon,
5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,Obed the father of Jesse,
6 and Jesse the father of King David.David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife….. -
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And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
There were a few tongue twisters in that Matthew reading! Luke 2v8-19, was a traditional nativity reading but Matthew 1v1-17 is not so frequent for our Christmas readings. We usually miss the first verses of the first Gospel in the New Testament – the genealogy of Jesus. Surprising to miss it out because the BBC genealogy documentary ‘Who do you think you are?’ is very popular.
If the BBC programme were to delve into my roots, my genealogy they would find some bits of sleeze. For example William Burke born in 1792 Burke and hanged in 1829 - convicted of murder. Another relative, Robert Burke born in 1820 (my Grandad’s uncle) was a horse thief who was transported and exiled to Australia – he died aged 30. These are the details I‘d rather leave out of my genealogy. But it’s my roots, part of my family tree.
We usually skip Jesus’ genealogy from our Christmas story. But when we look into it, nothing is left out.
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The Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah1 This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:
2 Abraham was the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
Perez the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
4 Ram the father of Amminadab,
Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,
Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
Obed the father of Jesse,
6 and Jesse the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,
Recap :
1:3 Twins Perez and Zerah, sons of Tamar (they were conceived by incest),
1:5 Salmon was the father of Boaz whose mother was Rahab (Rahab was a prostitute),
1:6 Obed was the father of Jesse and Jesse, the father of King David, the father of King Solomon.
1:6 David, the king was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife (an adulterous relationship).
So what's my point… that there's a bit of sleaze in the genealogy of Jesus? Yes, there is, but that's not my point. My point is this:
God chooses people who have made mistakes; murderers, adulterers, incest, liars and cheats.
If you think, well: 'I've made mistakes, but I haven't been as bad as that, then be encouraged because God invites people like you and me into his family, longing to have a personal relationship with us. John 1:4:
“ 4 to those who received him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, those who believe in His name.
We can be rooted in God’s family tree through Jesus. John 1v4 ‘to those who received him…….who believe in His name’
But there's another point, a point of history:
Matthew starts his Book with the geneaology of Jesus because he wants to root his story in history.
This isn't a 'Once Upon a Time' story. This is truth, this is Good News (glad tidings in angel speak) Luke 2:10.
The word ‘news’ here is important because it comes from the Greek word Euangelion which means an announcement of a Historical Event. News is something that has happened, not a philosophy, not a mindfulness technique; it is an announcement of something significant that has happened: Christ is born in Bethlehem. God has come down into history, into time and place, he became human. The incarnation is that a baby Jesus was born into poverty in a manger, He is God is with us.
Other religions may teach you a way to do spirituality, but Christianity gives you a person, Jesus. A person you can know and relate to, who you can be rooted in but Jesus is the way - he is the spiritual reality. That's why you can be rooted in Jesus - you can know him and relate to him (John 1:4).
For you Christmas may involve tinsel and trees, chocolate Advent calendars and nice carols. It may even warm your heart. Warmed but unchanged because it comes around every year, and the God bits wash over us.
But don't let it wash over you, think about it. Jesus left the security of heaven, He was born of Mary. The baby Jesus is God, he grew up to live and die for you, and he invites you to receive him, and he will give you the right to be in God's family (John 1:4).
It doesn't matter if you are a prostitute or a king or somewhere in-between; you don't have to prove yourself to God; he knows who you are and what you're like. God is a forgiver, peace giver and a load lifter.
Like a mighty Oak, your roots may be your stability. Your roots may be family, your house, your money, or your health. But in the storms of life, those things can crash to the ground. This Christmas you can be rooted in Jesus, who is unchangeable.
When you become a Christian, you are adopted into the family of God, his family tree, Christ in you, and you rooted in him. If you receive him, believe in his name. Will you do it?
If so, let us finish this time with two lines from the Christmas carol 'Away in a Manger' to say ‘Yes’ to him in your heart. To be 'rooted' in Jesus, you will be transformed.
"Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay,
close by me forever And love me I pray."
If you are praying this prayer for the first time, this prayer may help you:
"Lord Jesus Christ, I am sorry for the wrong things I have done in my life (take a few moments to ask his forgiveness for anything particular that is on your conscience). Please forgive me. I now turn from those wrong things.
Thank you that you died on the cross for me so that I can be forgiven and set free. Thank you for forgiving me.
Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me forever.
Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen".
