Matthew 1:1-17, I Samuel 16:6-7
From a modern perspective, it’s an odd look to start a book with a list of genealogical names. Not exactly a scintillating start to a story. But if we look a bit more closely below, we see that Matthew’s gospel begins with more than a simple family tree. Jesus’ paternal lineage is broken in by the inclusion of a number of women with stories.
Matthew’s use of a genealogy is unique. It’s the only one of the gospels to do so. But a couple of things happen with it - it sets Jesus squarely in the story of Israel, an important feature toward Matthew’s overall goal to demonstrate Jesus’ messiahship. But second, it shows Jesus’ story is no perfect story tale, but that his earthly father’s line is filled with the grace of God at work in and through people who might otherwise be regarded as unworthy to be in the realm of the Son of God.
So take the time to read these names!
Matthew 1:1-17
A record of the ancestors of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham:
Abraham was the father of Isaac.
Isaac was the father of Jacob.
Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers.
Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar.
Perez was the father of Hezron.
Hezron was the father of Aram.
Aram was the father of Amminadab.
Amminadab was the father of Nahshon.
Nahshon was the father of Salmon.
Salmon was the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab.
Boaz was the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth.
Obed was the father of Jesse.
Jesse was the father of David the king.
David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.
Solomon was the father of Rehoboam.
Rehoboam was the father of Abijah.
Abijah was the father of Asaph.
Asaph was the father of Jehoshaphat.
Jehoshaphat was the father of Joram.
Joram was the father of Uzziah.
Uzziah was the father of Jotham.
Jotham was the father of Ahaz.
Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah.
Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh.
Manasseh was the father of Amos.
Amos was the father of Josiah.
Josiah was the father of Jechoniah and his brothers.
This was at the time of the exile to Babylon.
After the exile to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel.
Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel.
Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud.
Abiud was the father of Eliakim.
Eliakim was the father of Azor.
Azor was the father of Zadok.
Zadok was the father of Achim.
Achim was the father of Eliud.
Eliud was the father of Eleazar.
Eleazar was the father of Matthan.
Matthan was the father of Jacob.
Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary—of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Christ.
So there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen generations from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen generations from the exile to Babylon to the Christ.
I Samuel 16:6-7
When they arrived, Samuel looked at Eliab and thought, That must be the Lord’s anointed right in front.
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Have no regard for his appearance or stature, because I haven’t selected him. God doesn’t look at things like humans do. Humans see only what is visible to the eyes, but the Lord sees into the heart.”
Prayer:
God,
Help me to see people today not simply as products of from where they have come, but as children of your making. And help me to include myself. If I’m propped up today, lift me only by your grace. If I’m worthy today, make it be due to your doing. Or if I’m cast down today, also lift me by your grace. If I’m made to feel lesser, remind me of your word in and through Christ.
And for those with whom I will come in contact, give me open eyes and an unassuming posture. Fill me with your love for myself and for others as I navigate relationships, contacts, and conversations. Give me such patience as Christ’s at the Samaritan well, such awareness as his at Zacchaeus’ tree, and such compassion as his at the touch of a bleeding woman.
If nothing else, give me the resolution to not be a jerk.
By your Spirit and in Christ, Amen.
As many times as I’ve read it and as well as I know the story and the names ties to Jesus the way you worded things this morning opened my eyes again.
Thank you!