The Exclusive Genealogy

 “This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:”

A genealogy is a record of descendants in a family. Accurate information is not optional in a genealogy…it must be correct from beginning to end. The Jewish genealogy of Jesus is a record which spans 42 generations. A generation is a period of approximately 30 years-the agreed upon time at which children become adults with their own children. This genealogy is divided into 3 equal groups of 14 in the Bible.

The genealogy of Jesus may seem dull…repetitious even unnecessary. It is not to a Jew…and not to us. Jesus is the Messiah. He is the Savior of the world. Read it to the end. Look for the change in the record. It’s there.

He was born a Jew. The genealogy found in Matthew unquestionably proclaims the Jewish heritage of Jesus. The Jewish people are God’s chosen people. Don’t be offended, don’t believe you are excluded. Throughout Jewish history the people waited for the Messiah to come. This genealogy from Matthew identifies Jesus as the One the Jews waited for.

Jesus explained this fact in John 10:1-2. Jesus was “born” in the Jewish line of David and Abraham:

 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.”

Jesus came to the Jewish people “through the gate.” The genealogy of Jesus through Joseph, His earthly father enables Jesus to be the fulfillment of all the things mentioned about Him in the Old Testament. *Read Matthew 1:16 for an important truth-Joseph was identified as the husband of Mary-NOT the father.

The prophet Isaiah wrote these words about Jesus 6 centuries BEFORE HIS BIRTH:

 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6-7

Yes, this genealogy matters. It proves Jesus is the Jewish Messiah.

Isaiah also wrote these words 6 centuries before the virgin birth of Jesus:

 “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

 Still a bit bothered that God sent Jesus to be the Jewish Messiah?

Don’t be.

Dear friend…Jesus came to live among us. He is both Messiah to the Jews and Savior to all…Gentiles…and Jews

Isaiah uses one of my favorite names for Jesus:  Immanuel. Immanuel means “God with us.”

He is.

Now.