Matthew Chapter 1:1-25
#5: The word genealogy comes from the Greek word genesis which means beginning, origin and birth. The phrase "The book of the genealogy" (1:1) not only functions as a title for the genealogy but also as a title for the entire story that will follow. There is a new beginning, a new origin, and new birth, with the arrival of Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God!
#4: So why did Matthew spend all this time, writing names down for us to read? Why should we care about the names and the genealogy of Jesus? Back then people kept extensive genealogies to establish a person's heritage, inheritance, legitimacy, and rights. Matthew draws our attention to this genealogy because it shows us Jesus' legal claim to the throne of David. It focuses on his descent from David and Abraham.
#3: The inclusion of 5 women in Jesus' genealogy is very odd because at this time most genealogies would have been traced through the men as they were the heads of the family. The inclusions become even more interesting when you realize that Rahab and Ruth were Gentiles, and Tamar Rahab and Bathsheba were considered women of questionable character. In fact, the genealogy is made up of a number of adulterers, prostitutes, heroes, and Gentiles. This shows us that no matter how broken we are and no matter what we have done Jesus is still greater and he can save us and use us for something better.
#2 Think of the faith Joseph had to have when dealing with this situation. He had just become betrothed to Mary. During this time being betrothed meant you had come to terms and presented yourselves to witnesses but your were not yet married. To sleep together during this time would have been considered a sin and finding out your wife was pregnant and you had done nothing would have been very concerning. Joseph like most people was skeptical at first. He chose to secretly leave Mary so he would keep his honor and she would not be killed. Joseph is then confronted by an Angel and asked to take Mary as his wife. He is told that the child is the Son of God and that he isn't to worry. The Angle sighting aside that is a tough pill to swallow for a man of this time period. He is being asked to look the other way while his wife has somehow become pregnant. He now must take care a child that is not his own. I'm sure that was not an easy situation but Joseph shows us that he has faith in the Lord and he trusted the Lord. We can all learn from this example and try to be people who trust and place our full faith in the Lord no matter what he asks us to do.
#1: In this passage we learn the name of God's son. His name is to be Jesus which specifies what he will do (God Saves). We then see him called Immanuel (God with us) which specifies who He is. Jesus is the God who saves and he is the God who is with us! This clearly sets the stage for the rest of the book and introduces us to the main character of the story we are about to read.
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