Matthew 1: The Foundation

Jesus' Genealogy

In the beginning of Matthew we are met with a genealogy of Jesus Christ (verses 1-17). Genealogies are often skipped over because quite frankly - it's hard to read name after name and stay interested. However, this genealogy is far more significant than what initially meets the eye. It's full of kept and fulfilled promises, and really carries an incredible redemptive theme of rewarding the faithful, while also willing and able to use anyone in any situation to further God's great kingdom!

We begin with "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David," a man God blessed for being a man after his own heart - choosing him to be the King of Israel (1 Samuel 16, Acts 13:22), "the son of Abraham," a man God promised to make a great nation out of and a blessing to the people of this earth (Genesis 12:2-4).

Throughout the genealogy we have made bold key individuals: Abraham > Isaac > Jacob > Judah > Perez (Tamar was his mother - daughter in law of Judah who had been extremely mistreated, but deceived Judah into laying with her resulting in Perez's birth > Hezron > Ram > Amminadab > Nahshon > Salmon (Rahab was his mother - a prostitute who hid and protected Joshua & Caleb ~ Joshua 2) > Boaz (a kinsman redeemer who so clearly showed an early example of redemption and deliverance) > Obed (the son of Ruth & Boaz - Ruth was called a "noble" or "virtuous" woman depending on the version you read ~ Ruth 3:11) > Jesse > David (king) > Solomon (mother Bathsheba - the one David had an affair with and caused the husband of to die) > Rehoboam > Abijah > Asaph > Jehoshaphat > Joram > Uzziah > Jotham > Ahaz > Hezekiah > Monasseh > Amos > Josiah > Jechoniah > Shealtiel > Zerubbabel > Abiud > Eliakim > Azor > Zadok > Achim > Eliud > Eleazar > Matthan > Jacob > Joseph who married Mary the mother of Jesus the Christ.

What does this genealogy show? It shows God keeps his promises. It shows God is willing to work with those you would never expect both male and female. It shows God redeems and it shows God can take the most broken of circumstances and make something wonderful that literally exudes grace.

It's so easy to let sin hold us back in our walks. We regret, we feel inadequate, we find it hard to call out to God even knowing he forgives all. Why? Because we know we're too far gone, and that we have done too much against him. But wait! What does Jesus' genealogy show us? What do we see? We see pain, sin, and a far from perfect situation. Isn't that wonderful - God allows us to find salvation through the storms and mistreatments and mistakes of this world. What an amazing God who has allowed every bit of his story to be a saving message of Grace, love, and an overall willingness to work with us in our most broken states.

Joseph - Trusting With Faith

In the remainder of the chapter (verses 18-25) we have a birds eye view into what Joseph experienced when finding out Mary was pregnant, but most importantly how he responded.

Joseph was in a tough situation but still acted justly! When learning of Mary's pregnancy, a woman he had not lain with, he decided to divorce her "quietly" to save her from shame (at this time in history Mary's pregnancy would have had terrible ramifications for her).

Next an angel of the Lord meets Joseph in a dream and explains the significance of Mary's pregnancy and that it's of the Holy Spirit! So what does Joseph do? He listens to the Lord's instruction and is the earthly father to the greatest man to walk this earth of all time, our savior Jesus the Christ.

What does this teach us? It teaches us that no matter the situation God is in control, and if we believe that all things are working toward good under God (Romans 8:28) we need only to trust him and live justly before him. This concept is literally the foundation of the entire scripture and our relationship with the Good Lord. Have faith and trust in him in all situations, and live justly before him with whole hearted love and respect. If Joseph had been quick to anger, or had been selfish with a desire to seek earthly revenge on Mary, this story could have taken a very different turn! Joseph could have missed out on being part of the greatest story in history!

So let's not miss out on God's divine plan. Let's trust and have faith in God's divine ways - living justly and humbly before him. Let's trust the words he speaks to us without question. He has an amazing plan - believe it, because you could be part of another incredible piece of His-story...Oh wait! You already are!