SCRIPTURE
: MATTHEW 1:1,17SUBJECT: IMPORTANCE OF BIBLICAL (& OURS) GENEOLOGIES
DATE SHARED: (MULTIPLE SERVICES)
PURPOSE: REVERENCING THE NAME AND PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST FOR WHOM HE REALLY IS.
"WHAT’S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT US?"
INTRODUCTION
:What’s all the fuss about us? Family? How much relevance does it have in today’s society? Actually, the importance of family life in today’s world is still alive and well, in spite of modern theories and teachings that we hear so much of. The traditional family still is of utmost importance to the majority of us. In fact, the importance of family is seen in how so many people spend hour after hour doing constant research on the Internet.
Genealogy program sites on the Internet are extremely popular with many people. As such, we like to know where we came from, what type of people came before us. Were some of them important? Did some of them accomplish notable feats that we can be proud of and can tell others of as future generations are being born? If by some chance, the Lord hasn’t yet returned for us before we pass on, what legacies are left behind?
ILLUS: On my dad’s side of the family, I know that my grandfather and his brothers came to the United States from Germany through Ellis Island. They were a bit feisty and decided to part company and Ellis Island. They seemed to mutually agree never to see one another again. In fact, they even changed the spelling of the family name so that Schink was spelled several different ways after that, leaving those of us in the future little or no way of tracing family ties to the other branches from that split. However, in spite of that, I have many fond memories of those on my dad’s side of the family that I did get to know and have been thankful that they were a part of my life. All of the older generation have passed on and now those in my age bracket are rapidly approaching as the "seniors" of the clan.
ILLUS: Mom’s side of the family has a very interesting history. In various parts of Europe, we had people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, from paupers to an English countess (castle and all). We’ve had an interesting variety, both abroad and then in the United States as time went on, from gangsters to preachers, with one particular man who was a part of an infamous old western gang. Two Fuller brothers came over on the Mayflower together. One was a physician. I can’t remember what the other one did, but that is how my mother’s side of the family arrived in what is now this country. They were a part of the history of this nation from Day #1! I used to thoroughly enjoy talking to my grandfather Fuller as he shared fascinating accounts of various family history down through the years.
For better or worse, your own family tree is important and also quite fascinating as you take the time to research it. As such, in today’s Scripture, MATTHEW 1:1-17, which may appear to be rather dull on the surface, suddenly becomes alive, interesting, and inspirational, as we consider that we reading what we discover to be:
Jesus’ family tree is as fascinating as any family history has ever been. On the surface, when we read it and look at a bunch of people that we’ve never met, honestly, it seems pretty dull. But, as we look in depth and we begin studying individual people, this whole thing becomes much more fascinating! The more that we learn about each person, the more exciting that Jesus’ family tree becomes!
Obviously, it is very important that, as Jesus’ birth is revealed to us in MATTHEW, CHAPTER 1, that we see that He is miraculously born, through Mary, into Jewish lineage.
It is equally crucial that we see:
Matthew wrote his gospel especially for the Jews. It is only natural that he should begin with a genealogy, or, an account of the family tree! Particularly after the Babylonian captivity, the Jews put a great deal of emphasis on proper genealogical records. Nehemiah tells of how some Levites were put out of the priesthood because they could not produce their genealogies (NEHEMIAH 7:63-65). Only Levites were allowed, as ordained by God, to be priests. So it is very important that they be able to prove their family lineage.
Note that: Obviously, Jesus would not be accepted as the Jewish Messiah unless the genealogical records could prove that He was of the line of David! The Jews believed that their Messiah would come from the royal line of Israel’s greatest hometown of Bethlehem (READ MATTHEW 2:4-6).
Jesus is first identified as Christ. This term had been used for so long and passed on down through so many generations that they no longer gave it its proper significance. They no longer reverenced it properly. It had become a very common, proper name.
Another great term was that He would be known of as "the son of David," that is, coming from David’s family tree, through Mary. He was the lawful heir to the throne of David. Also, this was a Messianic title. It described the Messiah as a human figure. "The son of Abraham" identifies Jesus as a true Jew. This fact is most important, as no Gentile would be acceptable to the Jews as a religious leader. Jesus’ family tree traces His background from Abraham to David (1:2-6a), from David to the Captivity (1:6b-11), and from the Captivity to Christ (1:12-16).
In the 16th verse, the fact of the Virgin Birth of Jesus was protected by the fact that Jesus was born of Mary. He was born as the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior! Joseph is listed as a foster-father, but not the physical father (no earthly dad – a miracle!). Many liberal scholars try to deny or disprove this but have never been able to do so. So, they support modern, liberal versions of Scripture where this is shown as different from reality, as described in the original Scriptures. So, Jesus was acting as a foster-father, but Mary was actually Jesus’ mother.
ILLUS: I have stepkids that I have loved and cared for for many years. I have raised them as my own even though they were not my natural children. I have one natural son, Nathan, whom I love, that I am the dad of, and several stepkids, of whom I’ve also had the privilege of loving and caring for. Joseph was not the dad. He loved and cared for Jesus as though He were his own but he never claimed to be his natural dad. As time went on Joseph and Mary would have natural children of their own. Joseph’s love for Jesus would always be there, even though he was well aware that he was the stepdad, as such, and that Jesus’ birth was truly miraculous, as God designed Jesus’ rightful place in the family tree.
Next, let’s consider:
ILLUS: Even though my stepkids were "grafted in," so to speak, to my family, there was never a doubt that they were indeed as much a part of the family as my natural son, Nathan. My love for all of them and the fact that we had clearly become family was never up for debate. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the kids, making it a point to do as many family activities as we could, as we shared experiences that would turn into lasting memories. I was always proud of those kids and I still am to this day.
As Christians we take pride in being members of Jesus’ family line. We, too, are miraculously born into this great family of our Lord. When we are born-again, we become what the Bible describes as "joint-heirs" with Jesus. As such, we have full rights and privileges as being included in God’s family.
Suddenly, Jesus is more to us than a gentle, quiet "Babe in a manger." We are awe-stricken by His great love. We drop to our knees in reverence, in respect! He is our Savior! As the light of the truth dawns, we want Him to be Savior and to be Lord of our hearts and lives. His miraculous Virgin Birth is suddenly seen as truly miraculous!
God, Himself, comes in the Person of His Son, as our Savior, as a willing sacrifice. His love is manifested to each of us, individually. His family tree is important to us! It is not boring or insignificant to us.
Spiritually, His family is our great, great grandparents, many times over. We’ve been born-again into this great family! Jesus is the Savior! He is our Savior!
So now His family tree becomes our family tree. As such, we now study our new family line and learn of our spiritual ancestors. Our family tree, our "roots," are not boring, insignificant "rot." Our family tree reaches from all kinds of interesting individuals on earth all the way up to the throne of heaven where God, our heavenly Father, Himself, lovingly watches over us!
We know that with Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord that we can look forward to our own heavenly mansion where there is to be no more tears, no more pain, no more death! Our inheritance in the family of God is a very valuable one. As a part of Jesus’ family tree, our spiritual inheritance is priceless!
CONCLUSION
:Are you truly a part of the Family of God? Have you repented of your sins from the depths of your heart, turning away from that old sinful lifestyle, asking Jesus into your heart as your personal Savior? If so, have you gone on to yield to His sanctifying fullness, as Lord of every area of your heart and lifestyle?
It is certainly good to be rooted and grounded into the Family of God, through Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord! It is certainly good to have a truly Christian home especially as we consider those without Christ who are floundering around lost, with no real sense of belongingness.
As we consider the importance of our part in the Jesus’ Family tree, let’s make sure that He is allowed first place in all! Let’s allow Him, as Lord of Lords and King of Kings to be the honored guest in our homes as well as in each of our hearts and lives, day in and day out.
(END WITH PRAYER, GIVE AN INVITATION AND SING "THE FAMILY OF GOD")
Since August 28, 2004
Scripture quoted is from the: New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society