Roots of the King: God's Unlikely Family Tree
Matthew • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Imagine this: You’re sitting down to read the Bible, and you open to the first page of the New Testament in Matthew, and you’re greeted with a list of names: "Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob..." And you think, "Wow, what a riveting start to the Christmas story!"
Now, I know what you’re thinking—a genealogy? It's like starting a movie with a list of actors' names. But actually, Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus is like a well-crafted family tree, revealing God's big picture in a small list of names. It's kind of like your family’s Christmas reunion, where you find out your second cousin twice removed has a fascinating life story. You wouldn't want to skip that part, would you?
And I’ve heard that in the Philippines, people love exploring their family trees. In fact, there are some Filipino families who can trace their roots for generations, knowing exactly how each branch connects to the other. It’s like mapping out your ancestors to better understand your identity and your legacy. So, let’s take a closer look at Jesus' family tree to see how God used this seemingly mundane list of names to shape His divine purpose.
Main Points
1. The Royal Lineage of Jesus – The Promise to David (Matthew 1:1-2)
· "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers..." (Matthew 1:1-2)
Matthew begins with the assertion that Jesus is the son of David, connecting Him directly to the royal lineage promised in the Old Testament. This is a statement of hope for the Jewish people: Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s covenant with David, who was promised an eternal throne.
By linking Jesus to David, Matthew emphasizes that Jesus is the rightful King. David's line was not just any family line; it was a royal line. The people of Israel had been waiting for a Messiah who would be a descendant of David, someone who would restore Israel to its former glory and lead them with justice and peace.
· Cross-References:
o 2 Samuel 7:16 "And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever."
In this passage, God makes an unconditional covenant with David, promising that his descendants will reign forever. This promise points to the coming Messiah, Jesus, who would sit on the throne of David and rule over an eternal kingdom.
o Luke 1:32-33 "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
This is part of the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary about the birth of Jesus. Here, the gospel of Luke echoes the same promise: Jesus will fulfill God's covenant with David, becoming the eternal King who reigns over God's people.
2. God’s Faithfulness in the Midst of Imperfection (Matthew 1:3-6)
· "And Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon..." (Matthew 1:3-6)
This section of the genealogy is full of names that might not be so familiar, but it's significant because it highlights God’s ability to work through imperfect people. For example, Judah’s son Perez was born through an illicit relationship with his daughter-in-law Tamar (Genesis 38). The fact that this story is included in Jesus' genealogy speaks volumes about God’s redemptive work.
God didn’t choose perfect people to bring about His plan. The inclusion of Tamar and her story of scandal serves to remind us that God is not limited by human flaws. He uses people, regardless of their imperfections, to fulfill His purposes. This genealogy shows that Jesus came from a line full of mess and mistakes, yet it was through that very line that God brought about His salvation plan.
· Cross-References:
o Genesis 38:27-30 "When the time of her labor came, there were twins in her womb. And when she was in labor, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, 'This one came out first.' But as he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out..."
The birth of Perez, who came out unexpectedly as the firstborn, speaks to God’s surprising ways. Even in the midst of scandal, God’s purpose moved forward. Perez would eventually be part of the Messianic line, showing that God's plans are not thwarted by human mistakes.
o Romans 5:20 "Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more."
God’s grace abounds even more where human failure has increased. Tamar’s story reminds us that no matter the sin or mess, God’s grace is greater. This genealogy highlights how God's grace worked through imperfect human beings to fulfill His ultimate purpose.
3. Jesus’ Family Tree Includes the Unexpected (Matthew 1:5-6)
· "And Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king."(Matthew 1:5-6)
Here we see two more unexpected characters—Rahab and Ruth. Rahab, a prostitute in Jericho, is included in the line of Jesus, showing that God’s grace can redeem anyone, regardless of their past. Ruth, a Moabite, was a foreigner and outside the covenant people of Israel, yet she became an ancestor of the Messiah.
God’s family tree includes people from all walks of life. Both Rahab and Ruth represent outsiders who were brought into God’s redemptive plan. This reminds us that Jesus came not only for Jews but for the whole world. His lineage reflects His mission to bring salvation to all people, not just a select group.
· Cross-References:
o Joshua 2:18-21 "Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father's household..."
Rahab’s faith saved her and her family. By hiding the Israelite spies, she showed that faith, not heritage, is what makes one part of God's people. Rahab's inclusion in the genealogy is a testament to God’s ability to redeem anyone.
o Ruth 4:13-17 "So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, 'Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer...'"
Ruth, a Gentile, was integrated into the family of God through her faith and loyalty. God used her faithfulness to bring about the birth of Obed, and through him, the line of David. This exemplifies how God’s love is available to all who trust in Him, regardless of their background.
4. God’s Timing is Perfect (Matthew 1:16)
· "and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ." (Matthew 1:16)
Jesus' birth at the perfect moment in history was not a coincidence. The genealogy reminds us that God works through time, and the perfect fulfillment of His promises was made through the precise timing of the generations. Joseph, the father of Jesus (though not His biological father), plays a critical role in the fulfillment of God's plan.
Matthew points to Jesus’ birth as the culmination of all the generations before Him. God’s timing is always perfect, and each name in this genealogy represents a step in the fulfillment of God’s promises. Jesus was born at exactly the right time, fulfilling the prophecy and the lineage.
· Cross-References:
o Galatians 4:4-5 "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."
This passage speaks to the perfect timing of God’s plan. Jesus was born exactly when God intended, to fulfill the law and to redeem humanity.
o Romans 5:6 "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly."
Christ’s death, like His birth, occurred at the right time. God’s perfect plan was carried out in the fullness of time, and this genealogy is a testimony to His divine timing.
5. God Uses Ordinary People for Extraordinary Purposes (Matthew 1:17)
· "So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations."(Matthew 1:17)
The genealogy concludes by summarizing three important periods in history. Through all these generations, God used ordinary men and women—each with their own imperfections and struggles—to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. This shows that God works through history, shaping His plan through ordinary lives.
Matthew emphasizes that Jesus' arrival was no accident. God used every individual in this family tree to fulfill His grand plan. No matter how insignificant you may feel in your life, God is using your story for His eternal purposes.
· Cross-References:
o 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are..."
This passage echoes the truth that God uses ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary plan. He often chooses those who seem least likely to succeed to fulfill His will, just as He did with the individuals in Jesus' genealogy.
o Hebrews 11:32-34 "And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets... who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises..."
This “Hall of Faith” recounts how ordinary people, through faith, became part of God's grand story. They were not perfect, but through faith, God used them for His great purposes.
Conclusion:
In the genealogy of Jesus, we see how God works through imperfect people, in the right timing, to fulfill His promises. Each name represents a piece of the puzzle in God’s grand plan for salvation, showing us that Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of God's covenant with His people. Like the genealogy, our lives may seem ordinary, but God has a perfect plan for us.
Thought-Provoking Question:
Are you allowing God to use your life—imperfect as it may be—to fulfill His eternal purposes? Just as God used the most unlikely people in the lineage of Jesus, He wants to use you too!
A little girl prayed, "God, please take care of my daddy and my mommy, and my brother, and my sister, and my doggy... and please take care of yourself, God, because if anything happens to you, we’re all sunk!" Remember, God’s timing and plan is perfect, even when we don’t fully understand it!