Luke 3:23-38

Read Luke 3:23-38

Helpful Background Information:  

• The book of Luke was written by Luke as a narrative of Jesus as the perfect human and Savior. The book of Luke is the only gospel that was written by a gentile. Luke wrote Luke and Acts together as a two volume set, making it one continual story. Luke used eyewitness accounts to ensure accuracy for the sake of the recipient of Luke-Acts, who was a ruler named Theophilus (Luke 1:1-4).

• The Jewish people put genealogies as a high priority in their culture. Genealogies proved priestly and royal lineage for those who were descendants of such people groups. See Ezra 2:62 for an example of genealogies being used for priesthood. Through the genealogy in Luke, Jesus is portrayed as both a descendant of David, making Him heir to the throne, but also the Son of God, through linking Jesus back to Adam. According to many trusted scholars, the genealogy of Jesus in Luke is through Mary’s lineage.

• Through this genealogy, there are many names to take note of. Some of which are Zerubbabel (v. 27), king David (v. 31), Boaz (v. 32), Abraham (v. 34), and many more people God put in the lineage of Jesus. Take time to dig into some of the people named in this genealogy. 
  

Reflection Questions: 

• When considering the real people in Jesus line, we are reminded that Jesus is fully man. However, we also know that Jesus is fully God and fully perfect also. How might Jesus’ humanity be encouraging for believers?

• Take time to reflect on some of the people in Jesus’ lineage and what they did while they were living. Where were they strong? Where were they weak? How did God use them in both their strengths and their weaknesses?

• Just as God chooses broken people to do His will, God chose Zerubbabel to lead His people and to be in the ancestry of Jesus. How is God’s care shown in this blessing for Zerubbabel? How can that be encouraging for believers today?