Family Troubles
23 and Me • Sermon • Submitted
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· 5 viewsThe lineage of Jesus contains people who are unrepentant and evil
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Title: 23andme (Sinners history)
Text: Matthew 1:7-11; Luke 5:27-32
D.T. When Jesus died for the sins of his family, he proved that we belong in his family.
Introduction: Today we continue our series “23andme” where we study the ancestors of Jesus. The stories of Jesus' ancestors will lay the foundation of Jesus' gospel. The ancestors we will discuss today illustrate this truth in a way that is clear and concise. Today we won’t be looking at 1 name, but rather a series of names. The names of Jesus ancestors we’ll examine today are (Rehoboam, Abijam, Jehoram, Ahaziah, Athaliah, Ahaz, Manasseh, Amon, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah) These people all have 2 things in common. Jesus is their direct descendant, they are his ancestors. All of these people are vile and horrifically evil. Jesus' ancestry confirms he has a direct family who are the worst type of evil.
The stories of these evil people aren’t ones of people repenting of their evil and seeking forgiveness. This happened in one case, the evil king Manasseh would repent.
Otherwise these direct ancestors of Jesus are unrepentant evil.
In 2nd Chronicles 10:10 we are told this of Rehoboam, Jesus relative
And the young men who had grown up with him said to him, “Thus shall you speak to the people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you lighten it for us’; thus shall you say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s thighs.
We are told of the exploits of Jehoram, Jesus relative in 2nd Chronicles 21:4
When Jehoram had ascended the throne of his father and was established, he killed all his brothers with the sword, and also some of the princes of Israel.
2nd Chronicles 22:10 tells us about Jesus relative Queen Athaliah
Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal family of the house of Judah.
2nd Chronicles 28:3 mentions that king Ahaz a member of Jesus family
and he made offerings in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom and burned his sons as an offering, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel.
2nd Chronicles 33:24 mentions that king Amon, Jesus family member
And his servants conspired against him and put him to death in his house.
Few people ever living would have people so unflattering in their family history.
Being the direct descendant of someone who is vile and evil is usually something these descendants try to hide. In some cases they directly reject and fight against their family reputation. The stories of several high profile Nazi’s prove this.
Hans Frank was Hitlers attorney, and he was named de facto governor of occupied Poland. His son Nikolas fought against his fathers reputation, and would often mention his hatred of his father
Rudolf Hoss was the Commandant of Auschwitz. His grandson Rainer Hoss is glad his grandfather was buried without a grave, saying that if he discovered such a grave, he would spit upon the grave.
Bettina and Adi Goering, the great niece and nephew of Hermann Goering would have themselves Sterilized out of fear of giving birth to a monster like Hermann.
Given this information, one might expect the bible to try and conceal the fact that Jesus had such vile people in his ancestry. Many in history have claimed the early church left many inconvenient truths out of the bible. If that was true, you’d think they would have cleaned up Jesus' family history a little bit. You think they’d cover-up the fact Jesus was related to such evil people.
However the bible openly acknowledges that Jesus is directly related to horrible evil people. The question is why? What does the bible have to gain by being open about Jesus' family history? The answer I believe is this: Jesus' family history backs up his identity.
In Hebrews 2:14-15 we read this
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
In Hebrews 4:15-16 tell us this
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
John 6:39-40 testifies to this truth
And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
1st Timothy 1:15 continues this truth
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
The purpose, the reason, the objective of Jesus' existence is to seek and save that which was lost. Jesus coming from a messed up family history full of really lost people is a great way to prove Jesus' purpose. What better way to show people you came to save sinners by coming from a long family lineage of sinners.
Matthew understood this, Jesus call of Matthew repeats his claim to bring salvation to sinners
Matthew 9:10-13 says this
And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Luke 5:27-32 says this
After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Do you think Matthew wants us to understand that Jesus came for sinners? He started his gospel, and the New Testament as a whole by listing Jesus' family of sinners. Jesus took the sin and shame of his own family to the cross. When Jesus died for the sins of his family, he proved that we belong in his family. The sins of Jesus' ancestors fell into three major categories.
Jesus died for the sins of extremely faithful people, who were imperfect sinners nonetheless People like David and Solomon. Solomon, despite his wisdom, would allow the pagan nature of many of his wives lead him to worship idols. David was an adulterer, and a murderer by proxy. He put Uriah on the front-line, ensuring his death, and covering up his idolatry.
Jesus died for the sin of his family members who were put in bad situations, yet still sinned because of these situations. This includes the likes of Abraham, Judah, and Tamar.
Jesus died for the sin of the unashamed and unrepentant. Jesus knew these people weren’t going to repent, however he died for them nonetheless, simply so they’d have the chance and opportunity to be saved.
Most of us would recognize our own sinful nature can be described in such a way. We may feel as if we’ve been faithful, but still have major scars in our lives from sin. Perhaps some of us feel the sins we committed were a result of the bad situations we found ourselves in with no fault of our own. Perhaps you feel like you were once unashamed and stubbornly unrepentant. It’s only because Jesus simply gave you a chance. We can see a family resemblance. The sins of Jesus' family were forgiven by the perfection of their righteous brother. We are grafted into the family the same way, we’ve been forgiven through the actions of our righteous brother. When Jesus died for the sins of his family, he proved that we belong in his family.