Jesus' Family Tree! - Matthew 1

Click Here to Read or Listen to Matthew 1

Today we start our journey through the New Testament, beginning with the first gospel, the gospel of Matthew. Matthew, who is called Levi, was a tax collector and one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. Some modern scholars suggest it is someone other than the apostle who wrote the book, but the earliest church fathers believe it was Matthew, Jesus' disciple. 

Most scholars conclude that Matthew was not the earliest gospel written. Mark's gospel is the earliest written between 60-70 A.D. Matthew and Luke drew on Mark's gospel, but also provided their own unique emphases. Therefore, it is assumed Matthew's gospel was probably written between 70-80 A.D., after the temple was destroyed. Matthew's gospel is most interested in linking the Old Testament to the New Testament through Jesus' fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. 

Many times in Matthew you will see the words, 'As it was written ..." In this first chapter, Matthew provides Jesus' genealogy linking him back to the two major covenants God made with His people. God's covenant with Abraham, was marked by circumcision, and God's covenant with David was marked by a crown.  Jesus is the promised Messiah, the King of Kings, who has descended from the house and line of David. 

Matthew tells the birth story through Joseph's eyes, whereas Luke through Mary. Joseph was Jesus' legal father and a descendant of the house of David. Commentators call this Jesus' "legal lineage", whereas Luke focuses on Jesus' blood lineage through the Virgin Mary. 

The key verse in this regard is, 

"Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah." - Matthew 1:17

As I mentioned, Matthew's birth narrative focuses on Joseph, especially in regard to how as a loving husband he wanted to protect his young fiancee, Mary. I mean put yourself in Joseph's position. His young virgin wife is pregnant, and Joseph knows it is not due to any inappropriate behavior on his part.

Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. Matthew 1:19

 Like Mary, Joseph benefitted from an angelic visitor, who told him, 

Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[f] because he will save his people from their sins.” 

I don't about you but if an angel appeared to me and told me my fiance was pregnant because of the Holy Spirit, I still would have been pretty uneasy. But again we see the obedience of Joseph. 

"When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus."  Matthew 1:24

I am looking forward to journeying with you through the New Testament. The Christian life is a journey. As we begin a new year we see the unwavering faith of Joseph, who took Mary home as his wife in complete obedience to God's instruction through his angel. 

Where is God calling you to trust in him and take a step of obedience today? Joseph trusted in God which resulted in him being a part of the birth of Our Savior!  

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