Matthew 1:1-17
Read Matthew 1:1-17
Helpful Background Information:
Matthew was a tax collector who was called by Jesus to follow him as one of his twelve disciples. He wrote this gospel account to show how Jesus fulfills the hopes and promises of the OT through his messianic genealogy, fulfillment of OT prophecies, and fulfillment of the OT law. The Jews of that time kept genealogies to establish a person’s legitimacy and inheritance rights.
Jesus is the descendant of both Abraham and David, and was the fulfillment of all the prophecies and covenants God had made with them. Through this, Jesus is the rightful heir to the covenant promises associated with Abraham and David.
Verses 10-11 directly mention Josiah in the lineage of Jesus. Both Josiah and Jesus are descendants of David. They were both prophesied sons who would bring a new kind of kingdom, and both desired restoration within the hearts of God’s people. Although Josiah was a good king, he fell short. Jesus is the perfect King who redeems not only Josiah’s story, but ours as well. Jesus’ lineage is woven with stories of brokenness, showing that God can use anyone for His redemptive purposes and that He is true to His promises.
Everyone before Jesus needed hope like you do, and He came from them, for them, to give them everlasting hope. He died for even the most heinous and ugly acts of man from the past, present, and future, including yours. You are not beyond the saving grace of the cross. Live with the hope in the truth that Jesus is coming back and we can share in the abundant life promised to us, today.
Reflection Questions:
Put yourself in the shoes of the Jewish people hearing of Jesus' birth. What would be your initial thoughts or questions?
How does your view of Jesus change when reflecting on the fact that He's the fulfillment of thousands of years of God's promises/prophecy? What does it show you about God's character?
There are many stories of brokenness and failures within the names of Matthew 1:1-17. How was Jesus' family more dysfunctional than yours? How can you find hope in that today?
Reflect and write down a time God has been faithful to you despite yourself this past week.