11: The Family Tree of Jesus (Luke 3:23-38)

I was amazed by a lot of things when I moved from Sarasota to Perry. People were more neighborly, houses spread far apart, and had a lot more twang in their accents.

We went through BK and noticed that part of the overhang at the window was dented up. Then we watched a HUGE truck pull in as it’s CB antenna slapped the overhang.

We noticed trucks parading their dead deer carcasses on top of their dog boxes.

One of the strangest things to me how people traced each other back up their family tree. Oh....you’re the grandson of C.A. & Doris. Well I remember your great grandmother....and those crazy cousins of yours. I found something out pretty quick: Many of those family trees don’t have a whole lot of limbs. Because I didn’t have much knowledge about the families of everybody else, my brain would quickly check out of these live conversations of ‘ancestry.com’. Especially when it didn’t have anything to do with MY family.

That’s what we tend do when we read the family trees in the Bible. All those ‘begats’ and hard names of people we don’t know make us yawn and turn the page quickly.

So today I know you’re thrilled to read about the 77 ancestors of Jesus identified by Dr. Luke. Now because I’m a nice guy, we will only focus on a few characters as we attempt to discover why Dr. Luke took the time and effort to mention all these folks to Theophilus.

First, Luke values historical accuracy. This is not a fairy tale. Jesus was a real person who came from real people. Jesus is not a mythical figure, but a human with a family tree. Those who claim Jesus of Nazareth never existed are simply denying history. In fact, there are more mentions of Jesus of Nazareth by non-Christian historical sources than the reigning Emperor during Jesus’ adult life - Tiberius Caesar. This Family tree of Jesus demonstrates historical accuracy.

Second, the family tree of Jesus reminds us of the importance of family legacies. Godly people - world changers - don’t just miraculously appear on the planet. They are usually raised in Godly families. We know NOTHING of most of the names in the family tree of Jesus, but each father, mother, grandfather, grandfather, aunt, & uncle impacted the next generation. So too, your name might NEVER be known in the pages of history, but you could change the world by raising Godly children & grandchildren! Think about this for a moment: How you live today is impacting how your great-great grandchildren will live years from now. You don’t have great-great grandchildren? Years from now, you might. And the lessons you pass on will filter down to them too.

Your integrity, kindness, compassion, & love for Jesus will impact generations to come.

So too, your dishonesty, harshness, lack of concern for others, and disobedience to Jesus will impact future generations.

Third, and most important,

The Family Tree of Jesus demonstrates that faithful people have not always been faithful. Who's in YOUR family tree? Everybody has a cousin Eddie - someone you rather not claim. But who are you proud to be related to? But even many of them have made some poor decisions & disobeyed God. Regardless of your genealogy one thing is for sure:

BIG TRUTH All families NEED God’s forgiveness.BIG TRUTH All families NEED God’s forgiveness.BIG TRUTH All families NEED God’s forgiveness.BIG TRUTH All families NEED God’s forgiveness.

BIG TRUTH

All families NEED God’s forgiveness.

BIG TRUTH

All families NEED God’s forgiveness.

That’s what early Christians would have recognized as they heard and read the stories of what we call the Old Testament. Several of the names mentioned in the Family Tree of Jesus would have popped off the page to those who read Luke’s Gospel. Let’s dig and and you’ll see what I mean.

left6350Luke 3:23a (NIV)23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry...Luke 3:23a (NIV)23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry...Luke 3:23a (NIV)23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry...Luke 3:23a (NIV)23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry...Thirty years of age was a customary age for men of God to begin their ministries.

Luke 3:23a (NIV)

23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry...

Luke 3:23a (NIV)

23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry...

Ezekiel began his prophetic ministry at age thirty (Ezek. 1:1).

Joseph was also thirty years old when he became the prime minister of Egypt (Gen. 41:46),

David was thirty when he became king (2 Sam. 5:4).

Priests & Scribes began to serve at 30 years old (Num. 4:3, 35, 39, 43, 47; 1 Chron. 23:3).

John the Baptist began his ministry at this age.

It’s likely that many people would not have recognized the authority of Jesus until this age. For example, the President of the United States must be at least 35 years old. Why? Life experience is essential to those who lead people. Time & experience are great teachers.

And here’s a word of wisdom for us: Don’t be too quick move into leadership. I’m convinced that we must be more concerned about a GREAT FINISH rather than a great start. Take time to mature. Learn from those who are more mature. Ask questions. Take mental notes. GROW. SERVE others before you try to LEAD others. Take time to prepare to make a life-long impact on others.

And so it’s at this time that Jesus began His public ministry.

left6350Luke 3:23 (NIV)23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli,Luke 3:23 (NIV)23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli,Luke 3:23 (NIV)23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli,Luke 3:23 (NIV)23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli,So it was thought. This assumes that the reader has read Luke 1–2 and knows how Jesus was born to a virgin.

Luke 3:23 (NIV)

23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli,

Luke 3:23 (NIV)

23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli,

In Luke 1-2 Jesus is called ‘the son of the Most High’ (1:32)

Elizabeth calls him ‘my Lord’ (1:43).

The angel told the shepherds “a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (2:11).

In prayer, Simeon referred to Jesus as, “Your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (2:31-32)

And Jesus at 12 years old referred to the Temple as “my Father’s house.” (2:49).

It is then that Luke lists the Family Tree of Jesus. Luke starts with Joseph and works backward in time. Now let’s consider the significance of 4 important names in Jesus’ family tree.

left6350Luke 3:31-32 (NIV)David, the son of Jesse,Luke 3:31-32 (NIV)David, the son of Jesse,Luke 3:31-32 (NIV)David, the son of Jesse,Luke 3:31-32 (NIV)David, the son of Jesse,As we have learned in this series, the Messiah would come through the family line of King David and would reign on his throne forever.

Luke 3:31-32 (NIV)

David, the son of Jesse,

Luke 3:31-32 (NIV)

David, the son of Jesse,

David was a great king. He loved Yahweh God and desired to please Him. There is much about his life that was honorable.

But David had a sweet tooth for women. Rather than marry one, he married many - which was not the Creator's original intention. (By the way fellas - guys who had more than 1 woman ALWAYS got in trouble.) Even though he had many wives, he still desired another who was not his. He brought a married woman to his bed and killed the husband to cover up the pregnancy that occurred (2 Sam. 11).

Further, David did not lead his family well. One of his sons raped his step-sister whose brother killed him & later attempted to overthrow David - his own father.

BIG TRUTH All families NEED God’s forgiveness.BIG TRUTH All families NEED God’s forgiveness.BIG TRUTH All families NEED God’s forgiveness.BIG TRUTH All families NEED God’s forgiveness.

BIG TRUTH

All families NEED God’s forgiveness.

BIG TRUTH

All families NEED God’s forgiveness.

And those who read Luke should immediately see the contrast:

This great king still needed forgiveness, but now one greater than David appears

Jesus, the King who reigns in righteousness.

Next we notice a clump of 4 familiar names...

left6350Luke 3:33–34 (NIV)33 ...Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham...Luke 3:33–34 (NIV)33 ...Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham...Luke 3:33–34 (NIV)33 ...Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham...Luke 3:33–34 (NIV)33 ...Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham...Judah was 1 of 12 sons. One of his brothers made the others so mad they wanted to kill him. But rather than kill Joseph, Judah convinced his brothers to sell Joseph instead (Gen. 37:26-27). Years later Judah did something pretty shameful - he spent a night with his daughter-in-law...but that was only because he thought she was a prostitute. Oh...and she got pregnant - THAT’S IN THE BIBLE! Yep - Gen. 38. Sounds like a soap opera huh?.

Luke 3:33–34 (NIV)

33 ...Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham...

Luke 3:33–34 (NIV)

33 ...Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham...

Further, Judah is the tribe that the Messiah would come through. In spite of his sin...which he repents of...listen to the blessing of his father Jacob.

Thus Judah was tribe that the Messiah would come through and left6350Genesis 49:10 (NIV)10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.Genesis 49:10 (NIV)10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.Genesis 49:10 (NIV)10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.Genesis 49:10 (NIV)10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.Rev. 5:5 calls Jesus ‘the Lion of the tribe of Judah’.

Genesis 49:10 (NIV)

10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.

Genesis 49:10 (NIV)

10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.

Judah’s dad was...

left6350Luke 3:34 (NIV) Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham...Luke 3:34 (NIV) Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham...Luke 3:34 (NIV) Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham...Luke 3:34 (NIV) Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham...Theophilus likely knew that God was often referred to the God of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob. Jacob was the trickster who misled his father and took his brother’s birthright and blessing. After running for his life and being away many years, God transformed Jacob - even changing his name to Israel. His 12 sons became known as ‘the 12 tribes of Israel’.

Luke 3:34 (NIV)

Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham...

Luke 3:34 (NIV)

Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham...

Jacob’s dad was Isaac - the one God promised to Abraham - the one through which all nations would be blessed. To test Abraham’s faith God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac but just as he lifted the knife, God provided another sacrifice, a foreshadowing of the future sacrifice that God would provide - Jesus - a son greater than Isaac - the one who would bring the ultimate blessing to all nations.

Luke’s audience would recognize the faith of Abraham, Isaac’s father. Before having any children Abram considered giving all he had to a servant rather than to a son. But God promised,

left6350Gen. 15:4, 6 (NIV)4a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir...6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.Gen. 15:4, 6 (NIV)4a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir...6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.Gen. 15:4, 6 (NIV)4a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir...6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.Gen. 15:4, 6 (NIV)4a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir...6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.Yet before this incredible faith we see Abraham twice take the cowardly route by claiming Sarah was only his sister and not his wife. Ladies, what kind of man would you think you had when he says, “You know honey, I think he could wipe the floor with me, so let’s pretend your my sister. NO WAY! You want that rascal yelling, "You can take her, but you'll have to kill me first."Isaac later followed his father’s example and did the same thing - Dad’s...your sons are watching.

Gen. 15:4, 6 (NIV)

4a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir...6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Gen. 15:4, 6 (NIV)

4a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir...6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Later, despite God’s promise to bring a son through his marriage, he & Sarah decided to bring another woman into the mix to have his child. Can you believe THAT’S in the Bible! What a soap opera that turned out to be. Abraham’s faith waxed and waned.

Luke’s audience is challenged to compare Abraham to Jesus. And as faithful as Abraham was, Jesus is a greater example to his children than Abraham ever was. The obedience of Abraham pales in comparison to the son who would NOT be spared the Father’s sacrifice.

left6350Luke 3:36 (NIV)...Noah, the son of LamechLuke 3:36 (NIV)...Noah, the son of LamechLuke 3:36 (NIV)...Noah, the son of LamechLuke 3:36 (NIV)...Noah, the son of LamechIf not for Noah's obedience, mankind would have been wiped out. Through Noah, God rebooted creation. In fact, if all people came from these 8, then you need to know - whether you like it or not - we’re related.

Luke 3:36 (NIV)

...Noah, the son of Lamech

Luke 3:36 (NIV)

...Noah, the son of Lamech

Fun Times Take a minute and turn to a couple of people, and with your strangest face tell them “Like it or not - we’re related!”

In all, only 8 were rescued from the flood. Others could have listened to Noah's message and entered the safety of the ark, but only 8 were protected from God's wrath over sin. Those who entered Noah’s provision were rescued and those who refused God’s ark were destroyed.

But now Jesus appears, to rescue many more than Noah. Hundreds of thousands who have entered who enter through Him will not fear the final day of God’s wrath on sinners.

Finally, we see what Luke has done. While Matthew’s genealogy points Jews from Abraham to Jesus, Luke has shown his gentile audience that Jesus came FOR ALL MANKIND. Luke says that Jesus came from...

left6350Luke 3:38 (NIV)... Adam, the son of GodLuke 3:38 (NIV)... Adam, the son of GodLuke 3:38 (NIV)... Adam, the son of GodLuke 3:38 (NIV)... Adam, the son of GodLike Jesus, Adam had no earthly father. Unlike Jesus, he had no earthly mother. And this helps answer the long asked question with deep theological significance - No, Adam had no belly button.

Luke 3:38 (NIV)

... Adam, the son of God

Luke 3:38 (NIV)

... Adam, the son of God

Luke believed that Adam was a real person. So did Paul. Luke quotes him saying...

left6350Acts 17:26 (NIV)26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.Acts 17:26 (NIV)26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.Acts 17:26 (NIV)26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.Acts 17:26 (NIV)26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.Of course, Adam sinned and polluted all of his family. And THIS is why Jesus came: to forgive those who have fallen.

Acts 17:26 (NIV)

26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.

Acts 17:26 (NIV)

26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.

R.C. Sproul writes: “Jesus Christ is not just for the Jews, but for the Gentiles, for the Romans and the Greeks. Jesus is the new Adam, the author of the new humanity, the one who comes to redeem and to reconcile men from every tribe and nation, not merely giving himself as a ransom for the lost sheep of Israel, but pouring out himself as a substitute for the sinful children of Adam’s race.”

And this is why Luke is writing about Jesus. Because...

BIG TRUTH All families NEED God’s forgiveness.BIG TRUTH All families NEED God’s forgiveness.BIG TRUTH All families NEED God’s forgiveness.BIG TRUTH All families NEED God’s forgiveness.

BIG TRUTH

All families NEED God’s forgiveness.

BIG TRUTH

All families NEED God’s forgiveness.

Your family is no exception. Regardless of how neighborly they have been to others, regardless of whether they have an arrest record or not - YOUR family, MY family

BIG TRUTH All families NEED God’s forgiveness.BIG TRUTH All families NEED God’s forgiveness.BIG TRUTH All families NEED God’s forgiveness.BIG TRUTH All families NEED God’s forgiveness.

BIG TRUTH

All families NEED God’s forgiveness.

BIG TRUTH

All families NEED God’s forgiveness.

And maybe...just maybe, God can use YOU to be the catalyst - the spark that leads your family to recognize that the story of Jesus is worthy of their lives. Listen to Tom’s Story...

TOM WADDAIL’S FAITH STORY

Jesus is a greater King than David.

Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the King of Israel (aka Jacob)

Jesus is the unique Son who WAS sacrificed (the ram was a substitute for Isaac - Gen. 22:13)

Jesus has many more descendants than Abraham.

Jesus rescues more than the ark of Noah could ever hold.

Jesus restores the relationship that Adam’s rebellion had separated.

BIG TRUTH All families NEED God’s forgiveness.BIG TRUTH All families NEED God’s forgiveness.BIG TRUTH All families NEED God’s forgiveness.BIG TRUTH All families NEED God’s forgiveness.

BIG TRUTH

All families NEED God’s forgiveness.

BIG TRUTH

All families NEED God’s forgiveness.

The depth of God’s forgiveness is greater the the height from which you have fallen.

Have YOU been forgiven?

Have those in YOUR family turned from their sin and been restored? Do they love Jesus?