Genealogies and Advent: New Beginnings

Matthew 1:1 ESV

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Matthew 1:18–23 ESV

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

Prayer

This passage from Matthew 1 is well known and often cited around Christmas time.

But directly proceeding that story, is Jesus’ genealogy.

Genealogies and Advent: New Beginnings, Part 1

On July 24, 2002, eighteen coal miners at the Quecreek Mine in Somerset, PA.

The miners accidentally dug into an abandoned mine which flooded their mine.

The miners became trapped underground with no way to get back to the surface.

You can imagine the fear of this situation.

Trapped underground.

Little resources.

Little air supply.

All they had for food was a “lunch pail” which was “floating...with the still dry corned beef sandwich.. and a bottle of Pepsi”

These men had no hope.

Almost four days underground and these men were on the verge of hypothermia.

What do you think would keep people going in a situation like that?

The answer was hope.

Their only hope was that someone was coming for them.

Their hope was for rescue.

Slowly but surely they began to hear drilling above them, which meant that others were coming for them.

After four days, there was a team to break the surface and bring the first miners up.

Since Jesus is the author of the new creation, we must set our hopes on Him.

As those miner’s that were stuck under ground probably wonder…

Is anyone coming?

Are they going to make it in time?

We open up the book of Matthew, the first book of the New Testament.

God has not spoken to the people of Israel in hundred’s of years.

There has been silence.

No prophet has spoken on God’s behalf.

Silence from God.

Silence in the Old Creation

“The Ache of Silence”

There are two kinds of silence I want you to have in your mind as we step into the book of Matthew.

Silence from the Garden

“Longing for Adam’s Seed”

This silence of the garden is the longing since Genesis 3 of God finally sending one to deliver the people from sin.

Since God’s promise to the serpent in Genesis 3:15

Genesis 3:15 ESV

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Since this promise there has been a longing for one to come and redeem the human race.

They were not even a generation out of the garden when you hear the desire of people for this offspring.

Genesis 4:25–26 (ESV)

And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.”.... At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord.

The silence from the garden was deafening.

It was so loud that the ache for satisfying the silence could be felt all throughout human history.

Which leads to the second period of silence....

Silence from the Exodus

“Longing for a Deliverer”

This is not the only period of silence that we see in history.

You also have the silence before the Lord took His people out of the Exodus.

The people were living in Egypt for over 400 years.

They were brutally treated.

Trampled and torn down.

Exodus 12:40–41 ESV

The time that the people of Israel lived in Egypt was 430 years. At the end of 430 years, on that very day, all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.

It was the night of what is called the Exodus that God delivered His people out of the hands of his enemies.

Have you ever seen the movie of the Quiet Place?

There’s no movie quite like this one.

The whole movie is based around aliens that attack when they hear sound.

That movie has almost no sound the entire way.

It is completely quiet.

Very little speaking.

Background noise, but no music.

It is an intense movie.

But no sound.

Silence Creates Anticipation

Now between the time when Malachi wrote, Malachi 4:5-6

Malachi 4:5–6 ESV

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”

There was a period of great silence.

It’s not that God was not active, but He was silent.

Which is part of the reason the scribes and teachers responded to Jesus the way they did…

Matthew 7:28–29 ESV

And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

When we turn to the NT, we should feel this kind of silent anticipation.

The book of Matthew begins like no other gospel.

Other gospels start with Jesus preaching the kingdom.

Others start with his birth narrative.

But Matthew’s gospel is explicitly Hebrew in nature.

This why Matthew begins his gospel with a genealogy.

What is a genealogy?

A genealogy is simply a list of people who are related.

It helps trace who your parents were and so on.

Genealogical Hopes in the Old Creation

“Beauty in the Details”

How could a list that says, “this person gave birth to this person...” be helpful?

We will always be tempted to skim over these sections.

I understand the temptation, and there is nothing wrong with skimming sometimes.

Because it takes a lot of work getting under the significance.

But let me give you three reasons why this genealogy here is significant.

Genealogies are important for three distinct reasons.

Continuity

“Fulfillment”

Matthew realizes his audience.

He is writing to people who would understand the OT context.

To people who knew the significance of certain figures.

He even seems to be picking up on other genealogies which have been written before.

Matthew 1:1 ESV

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Matthew is presenting his gospel as something which should be understood alongside the OT genealogies.

Picking up of where the OT left off.

Genesis 5:1 (ESV)

This is the book of the generations of Adam.

D. A. Carson says about Matthew’s genealogy...

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 8: Matthew, Mark, Luke A. The Genealogy of Jesus (1:1–17)

show that Jesus Messiah is truly in the kingly line of David, heir to the messianic promises, the one who brings divine blessings to all nations

What is Matthew trying to communicate with his genealogy?

Genealogies can serve many purposes, like validating one’s upbringings or showing where a person came from.

Matthew is trying to validate or confirm the truthfulness of his message.

Truthfulness

“Validation of the Facts”

I once heard a story of a missionary couple who were trying to take the gospel to a remote village.

People were opposed to the message of Christianity.

They met much resistance.

They couldn’t figure out why people were so opposed to Christ.

Till one day they showed one of the people from the village, Matthews genealogy.

At this moment everything changed.

The person they showed became so overjoyed!

They were exuberant about this!

When the missionary couples question, “why?”

They responded that this genealogy validated the message of Jesus for them.

They could believe it was true because they could clearly see where Jesus came from.

The fact he had a genealogy at all brought a seriousness to the message of Jesus.

Matthew for Everyone, Part 1: Chapters 1–15 Jesus’ Genealogy (Matthew 1:1–17)

Like a great procession coming down a city street, we watch the figures at the front, and the ones in the middle, but all eyes are waiting for the one who comes in the position of greatest honour, right at the end.

These genealogies should do the same thing for us.

We don’t have a Savior who just burst onto earth from out of nowhere.

Galatians 4:4–5 ESV

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Applications

Unbelievers

If you’re here today and you don’t know Christ, I would encourage you to consider the truthfulness of this genealogy.

Consider the significance of Christ.

Believers

So when you find yourself reading the Christmas narrative this year…

You’re NOT reading “a view on Christmas”…

You’re NOT giving your “opinion on Jesus’s coming”...

You’re reading a story of Christ’s coming that finds itself deeply rooted within the truth!

Hyperlinks

“Different Paths”

Matthew’s genealogies are what I would describe as hyperlinks.

A hyperlink is that little blue lettering on the internet that when you hover over it, it will take you somewhere different.

They are like mini portals to other worlds.

That is kind of how Matthew has started his gospel.

He has given a ton of different hyperlinks.

The next two weeks we will focus on looking at the hyperlink of “Son of Abraham” and then “Son of David”.

Matthew 1:1 (ESV)

The book of the genealogy

What is masqueraded here is the fact that Matthew is presenting Christ as the new creation

Jesus, the author of the New Creation

Matthew 1:1 (ESV)

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,

Since Jesus is the author of the new creation, we must set our hopes on Him.

The Advent of Hope

“Hope Has Come”

The beginning of Matthew’s gospel is acting as a spring board of the new creation in Christ.

To call Jesus Christ is to call him by his title.

“Christ” is from the Greek Christos

“Messiah” is from the Hebrew “anointed one”

Matthew’s claim is that the Lord Jesus is Israel’s Messiah.

But to understand the significance of this, we need to see...

Corrupted Creation

“Vile & Sinful”

Littered throughout this genealogy are names you would be surprised by.

This list has kings, and men of noble background.

But it also bears the marks of the real issue behind his whole of writing the gospel.

The sinfulness and brokenness of the corrupted creation.

Tamar

Matthew 1:3 (ESV)

and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar,

If you remember, Tamar was the daughter-in-law of Judah.

She was a prostitute who slept with her father-in-law because she was being cheated out of her inheritance.

These people tell of stories of faith which would make us blush and are hard to grapple with.

God with Us: Themes from Matthew Genealogy

The kings and princes of this world proudly display their noble pedigrees, their links with dukes and duchesses, presidents and czars, prime ministers and tycoons. But Matthew took pains to point out that Jesus the King included in His heritage prostitutes and aliens.

Do you want to know why?

Because this King is fundamentally different than any king that has come before.

This King was in the business of redemption.

Rahab

Matthew 1:5 ESV

and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse,

She was a prostitute of the land of Jericho.

Joshua had sent spies into the city and she lodged them at her house.

She then went on to lie to the officials that the spies had left when they hadn’t.

Joshua 6:25 ESV

But Rahab the prostitute and her father’s household and all who belonged to her, Joshua saved alive. And she has lived in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

Time would run short to mention all the other people who could be mentioned here.

Solomon, Manasseh, and Ahaz..

The point of this is to make mention that the list of the genealogy does not list prim and proper people.

It is a list of a rag-tag mishmash of sinners and rebels who God was merciful toward.

Matthew, Volumes 1 & 2 Jesus, the Savior

In any shattered clan, some are drunks, gamblers, or wastrels; others are decent folk, perhaps, but lacking in any great skill or asset. Those are the people Jesus came to save, then and now. We too have low-lifes in our family and we have done things that fit a low-life-laden family.

You have to first realize that you are a part of that corrupted creation.

Not just that you live in a corrupted creation.

But that you have actually taken part in the corrupted creation.

Psalm 51:3–4 ESV

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

Corrupted creation that is in desperate need of saving.

This genealogy does several things…

Firstly, it reminds us of the corruption of the old creation which we dwell in.

In order to be taken up in the wonder of Christmas.

The wonder of God the Son becoming flesh for sinners.

The wonder of Immanuel, God with us.

The wonder of God’s love being displayed for sinners.

You need to see the corruption that you and I participated in.

This genealogy with it’s rag-tag band of misfits stands as a reminder that if God can work through unique ways then, He will do it again.

And Matthew is about to say there is a virgin who will give birth...

Matthew 1:18 ESV

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.

Another thing this genealogy shows us is God’s faithfulness...

God’s Faithfulness

“Keeps His Word”

Matthew 1:1 (ESV)

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ

This genealogy is here as a reminder that God has not left us in our pitiful estate.

When God says He is going to do something, you can bet on the fact that He will complete this.

This means that the next words that Matthew is going to say are validated by this genealogy.

Matthew 1:20–21 (ESV)

“Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

This genealogy is evidence that God indeed does exactly what He says He will do.

To list a genealogy is for God to get down into the nitty-gritty details of lives of messy individuals.

Each name represents one person in the scope of history.

And the Lord pays mind to everyone of them.

Jesus will later remind his followers of why they should not fear others.

Matthew 10:29–31 ESV

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

This genealogy also reminds us that...

God is faithful to His promises.

He was faithful to His promises of sending a redeemer.

To unfaithful individual’s, He was faithful.

To BIG sinners, He was faithful.

To self-righteous sinners, He was faithful.

When we see God’s past faithfulness, we remember His present faithfulness.

We remember that He is faithful and will accomplish His promises.

What is the promise being extended in this first verse?

It’s not simply in this first verse, it is the collection of the entire book of Matthew with it.

The Hope of New Creation

“Creation Redeemed”

When the collective society around us thinks about Christmas, what do you think they think is so great about it?

It makes them feel good.

What about you? What do you think Christmas is all about?

Brothers and sisters, as we think about Christmas...

We must hold tightly to the reality that God has initiated in Christ Jesus the new creation.

We have a hope that is set forward in the gospel of Jesus Christ that ONE day God will make all things new.

Let me ask you this, do you remember those miner’s I mentioned at the beginning?

What’s the difference between their story and ours?

The difference is, they were alive in the bottom of the mineshaft.

Whereas they were alive, we outside of Christ were dead.

Understanding this changes everything about Christmas.

The story of the man known as the Rich Young ruler comes to Jesus and asks...

Matthew 19:16 (ESV)

“Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”

Jesus responds to him by saying,

Matthew 19:17 (ESV)

“Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.”

Then Jesus lists off the commandments and the young man responds…

Matthew 19:20 (ESV)

“All these I have kept. What do I still lack?”

At this point, it becomes clear.

This young man does not understand the purpose for which Jesus came.

To expose his heart, Jesus responds with..

Matthew 19:21–22 (ESV)

“If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

This young man fundamentally did not understand what Jesus was doing.

He did not understand who He was.

He did not understand why He came.

And I am fearful that too often the way we celebrate Christmas looks too much in this way.

We fundamentally misunderstand why Christ came.

Matthew 19:26–27 ESV

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”

What Jesus responds with captures the heart of the promise of this genealogy.

Matthew 19:28 (ESV)

Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne…

In the new world…

The new creation.

The redeemed creation.

The creation that Jesus will remake with His coming.

This is the promise!!

Titus 3:4 ESV

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,

This requires a coming.

This requires an advent.

Titus 3:5–7 ESV

he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Now the renewal and the new creation of the Holy Spirit has already happened for the Christian.

Since Jesus is the author of the new creation, we must set our hopes on Him.

We set our hope on Him for the past cleansing.

We set our hope on Him for the present renewal and new creation.

We set our hope on Him for the final and ultimate

Revelation 21:5 (ESV)

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”

Revelation 21:6–7 ESV

And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.