[:en]SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 1
“Then there were 14 generations in all from Abraham to Daniel, 14 generations from David to the exile to Babylon and 14 generations from the exile to Christ” (Matthew 1:17)
“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel – which mean ‘God with us'” (Matthew 1:23)
Introduction:
Matthew was a Jewish tax collector who became one of the 12 disciples of Jesus. He was the author of the book of Matthew. His audience was to the Jewish people. His theme was Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah, the rightful heir to David’s throne
THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS (vs. 1-14)
First 14 Generations: Abraham- Isaac – Jacob – Judah – Perez – Hezron – Ran – Amminadab – Nahshon – Salmon – Boaz – Obed – Jesse
Second 14 Generations: David – Solomon – Rehoboam – Abijah – Asa – Jehoshaphat – Jehoram – Uzziah – Jotham – Ahaz – Hezekiah – Manasseh – Amon – Josiah
Third 14 Generations: Jeconiah – Shealtiel – Zerubbabel – Abiud – Eliakim – Azor – Zadok – Akim – Eliud – Eleazar – Matthan – Jacob – Joseph – Jesus
Four women were mentioned: (1)-Tamar (v. 3; Gen. 38:6),(2)-Rahab (v. 5; Joshua 2:1, Heb. 11:31), (3)-Ruth (v. 5; Ruth 1:3), (4)-Bathsheba (v. 6; 2 Samuel 11:2). These women illustrated the grace of God because their lives did not deserve to be one of Christ’s ancestors. Tamar was a prostitute. Rahab was a harlot and foreigner. Ruth was a Moabbite, and Bathsheba committed adultery with David.
THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST (vs. 18-25)
Joseph was engaged with Mary but when she was conceived, Joseph thought of disowning her. However, an angel appeared to Joseph saying: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you are to give him the name of Jesus because he will save his people from their sins” (vs. 20-21). Joseph obeyed and took Mary home.
The name Jesus means Savior and is a Greek version of the Hebrew name “Joshua”. There are 2 “Joshua” mentioned in the Old Testament – Joshua, the soldier who succeeded Moses and led Israelites into Canna, and Joshua, the high priest mentioned in Zechariah 3:3. The birth of Christ stated in verse 13 was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 7:14: “The virgin will give birth to a son and they will call him Immanuel – which means : “God with us”
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