#1 The Origin of the Supreme Authority

Matthew Introduction

Author: Matthew – gift of the Lord

Date: 40-110AD – probably 60’s

Place: Syria, Antioch, Palestine

Audience: Not stated but Jewish readers are in mind

Purpose: Not specifically state

Key Characteristics:

1.       Jesus Fulfillment of Prophecy

                                       i.      54 direct citations of OT

                                      ii.      262 “allusions or verbal parallels”

2.       Jesus Savior of Israel & the World

3.       Jesus Supreme Authority

4.       Jesus Teacher, Preacher, & Healer

Introducing the Supreme Authority (5 Messages)

1.       The “Origin” of the Supreme Authority (1:1-17)

2.       The Supreme Authority is Jesus: Five Scriptural Proofs (1:18-2:23)

3.       The Supreme Authority’s Messenger (3:1-12)

4.       The Supreme Authority revealed as the Son of God (3:13-17)

5.       The Supreme Authority Tested (4:1-11)

The “Origin” of the Supreme Authority 1:1-17

Identify:

Why Genealogies? – What if your name was listed? We get excited if our name makes the paper, or is used in a book that was published.

Glorify:

1.       The Titles of Jesus

2.       The First Period

3.       The Second Period

4.       The Third Period

5.       The Summary

Read 1:1-17

1.       The Titles of Jesus v1

 The first two words are literally – “book of genesis”   occurs only in Gen2:4 & Gen 5:1 It is used deliberately as a survey of the history of God’s people from the very beginning is described. Not for statistical data

Jesus – from Joshua – the Lord saves

Christ is Greek, Messiah is Hebrew, meaning “anointed one”

The Son of David – occurs 9 times, Mk & Lk 3 times, Jn 0

                Based on promise 2 Sam7:12, 1 Chr 17:11

The Son of Abraham –

links David to Abraham

“all the families of the earth will be blessed” Gen 12:3

“father of a multitude of nations – Gen 17:4-5

2.       The First Period v2-6a Legal succession Abraham to David Genesis, 1 Ch 2:1-15, Ruth 4:18-22

a.       Abraham, Isaac, Jacob(Israel) – The Patriarchs

b.       Judah and his brothers – the wholeness of Israel

c.        Perez and Zerah by Tamar – Gen 38 Judah prostitution & incest

d.       Salmon and Rahab – of Jericho prostitute

e.        Boaz and Ruth - Moabites

f.        David and Bathsheba- adultery

The four mothers mention are an unconventional group – Tamar & Rahab Cannanites, Ruth a Moabite, Bathsheba a Hittie. Tamar – seduced Judah, Rahab’s prostitution, Bathsheba’s adultery , and some suggest Ruth’s questionable threshing floor event.  This prepares readers for the Messiah’s “disputable” origin in a pregnancy before marriage.  It is also argued by M.D . Johnson, Genealogies that there is a dispute in Judiasm over the purity of David’s ancestry and Matthew is supporting the reputation of these four women as the Pharisees supported to prove the legitimacy of Jesus ancestry.

Most importantly what is in view is that these four women prepare the reader for the coming of non-Israelites to follow the Israel’s Messiah, with the Magi in chapter 2 and increasingly so until chapter 28 and the climax of all nations. Again reminding us of story of Abraham.

These four women and Mary also indicate that God desires to use the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.  Each of these women were relatively powerless, marginalized and in need of help. D.R. Bauer suggest in Treasures

3.       The Second Period v6b-11 Legal succession David to Exile

a.       Joram to Uzziah omit three kings - Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah,

b.       Josiah to Jehoiakim - simplifies a complex story of succession which involved three brothers or more accurately relatives who all ruled but for brief periods of time.

4.       The Third Period v12-16 Legal succession Exile to Birth of Jesus

a.       Shealtiel & Zerubbabel – Matthew  had another source other than 1 Ch 3:19

b.        Joseph – found only in the birth narratives.

c.         Mary – no family background given

Whom is in the singular referring to Mary and this is the only time in the whole genealogy that born was used verse begat.

d.        Jesus - “Jesus who is called the Messiah”

5.       The Summary v17

Three 14’s is symbolic

Three 14’s ? there is only 41 names

David – equals 14

Mercy - (Mt 24:22)22“Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

He shortens the period from the Exile to Jesus the Messiah

Apply

•       Your spiritual genealogy?

•       Your Biblical knowledge?

•       Your self-righteous attitude?

•       Promises of God are trustworthy.

•       History & Facts are important

•       We have nothing to fear.

Response