Every good story starts with the past. Who is the main character? Where did they grow up? What was their family tree like? Today’s reading walks us through the pages of history, tracing the Messiah’s family tree down to the very beginning of time.
Although Jesus’ conception was purely of the Holy Spirit and a miracle, there are two genealogies regarding the Messiah following Mary and Joseph (his adoptive, earthly father), one is legal and one is biological.
The first genealogy in Matthew 1 traces Jesus through the eyes of royalty and Abraham’s lineage, proving Jesus came from the line of David and was the rightful, promised King. The focus of this genealogy is Joseph’s line, proof that he was truly the legal, earthly, adoptive father of Jesus. This genealogy gives evidence that Jesus is the King.
The second genealogy found in Luke 3 follows Mary’s biological line, proving that Jesus is the Son of Man, the Savior of all humanity. He is the promised seed that would fulfill the prophesy in Genesis 3:15. This verse contains the first mention of the Gospel (what theologians call the “protoevangelium”). It’s the Good News that even in humanity’s broken state, after sin separated God from man, God promised to send a Seed who would come from mankind and crush the serpent’s head forever. This genealogy gives evidence that Jesus is the Son of Man.
Remember: Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38
Read both genealogies and note the differences. Remember that God works in the waiting. Both of these genealogies represent so much life happening, so much heartache, but God was working through the good, the bad and the ugly. Remember this when you face your own seasons of waiting, God is working good in the waiting.
Reflect
Notice in Matthew’s genealogy the people that show up: Tamar, Ruth, Rahab. These are women that were not Jewish. They were foreigners, often referred to as “pagans” in those days. They did not come from the line of Abraham and yet God‘s heart is for the nations. It always has been and always will be. So, as we sit in the now, as we wait in the “already-not-yet”, reflect on the fact that God‘s heart is for the nations. You are here for a purpose. you were specifically birthed into this generation, into this time in history — for a purpose — God‘s purpose.
Respond
Carry this breath prayer in your heart today:
Breathe In:
God, even in my waiting
Breathe Out:
You are working good.
The Journey
This journey will take us from December 1st through December 25th. My hope is that it would bring you encouragement in whatever waiting room you find yourself in during this Advent season. Each daily podcast will be short and sweet, leaving you with something to carry in your heart as you wait. You can also subscribe to my newsletter here.
