The Gospel of the Kingdom - Matthew The Preview

 

TEXT: Matthew 1:1 – “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham…”

Yesterday we discussed about the two genealogies that have similarities and differences. Luke goes back to Adam, and Matthew goes only back to Abraham. From Abraham to David they are consistent but diverge at this point. Luke traces through Nathan, while Matthew traces through Solomon. We saw that was because Luke traces Mary’s line – while Matthew traces Joseph’s line. The reason is fairly simple – remember who they are writing too.

Today, let us proceed into Chapter 1 of this great Redemptive Biography of Jesus Christ.

We have an important connection here – look at Genesis 5:1 – “This is the book of the genealogy of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God.”

How do we get into the genealogy of Adam?  We are born into it. How do we get into the genealogy of Jesus?  We need the New Birth. Any person alive is automatically in the first one, we need to receive the second one.

The account begins with a reference to two all-important individuals in the Jewish faith.

David was considered Israel’s royal father (1:1a). Jesus is to inherit David’s throne. Take time to read 1 Chronicles 17: 7-14. Here God promised David that in the future He would establish David’s throne at Jerusalem, with David’s seed upon the throne forever. It hasn’t happened yet, however, this will happen in the Millennial reign merging into eternity. (also read Isaiah 9: 6,7; and Luke 1: 32-33). So, Matthew tells the account of Jesus as the Son of David who will return to earth and reign on David’s throne, restoring His kingdom forever. Jesus is THE SEED, long promised to David.

Abraham was considered Israel’s racial father (1:1b). Jesus is to inherit Abraham’s Covenant that was given in Genesis 12: 2  - 3. Abraham’s seed is to inherit all the land of Canaan. Matthew is writing about Jesus as the King of the Jews.

Before we go today, stop and consider some bookends in this book.

·      Matthew 2:1 - 2 – “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.’”

·      Matthew 27:37 – “And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

We will see more of this as we continue our study. Tomorrow in verses 2-16 we will look at the Overview.