-LIFE OF CHRIST - PERIOD OF PREPARATION

-Genealogies of Christ

-Two passages contain the genealogies of Christ:  Matt 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38.

-Matt 1:1-17

-Matthew begins his account of the Gospel (written to a Jewish audience) with the genealogy of Christ – a

fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.  (Gen 22:18, Gal 3:16, 2 Sam 7:12-17, Mic 5:2, John 7:42) 

Some of the names, such as Abraham and David, would have been highly regarded by the Jews.  Others,

would not have been.  “Some of those included in the list were great individuals, some were not so great,

and some (to be painfully honest) were despicable…If we ever needed proof that God can accomplish

His purposes in spite of mankind’s weakness (and even stubbornness), it is generously supplied in

Matthew’s genealogy!” (Roper, p7).

-Matthew’s genealogy reveals Jesus’ Jewish heritage through Joseph.

-Luke 3:23-38

-It is easy to see that Luke’s genealogy of Jesus differs significantly from Matthew’s.  However, this

genealogy also serves a very important purpose.  Some could have tried to dismiss Jesus’ fulfillment of

Old Testament prophecies by saying he wasn’t the “actual” son of Joseph and therefore (technically) not

the “Son of David”(Matt 1:1).  Note that in Romans 1:3, Paul says Jesus “was made of the seed of David

according to the flesh”.  Luke addresses this issue with his genealogy.  A very important phrase in

Luke’s genealogy is found in verse 23 – “(as was supposed) the son of Joseph”.  Here, Luke doesn’t

trace Jesus ancestry through Joseph, but through Mary.  Notice, just like Joseph, she was a descendant of

King David.  Therefore, since Jesus was born of Mary, He is the “Son of David” “according to the flesh”.

-Where Matthew provided the “legal” lineage of Jesus through Joseph, Luke provided the “physical”  

  lineage of Jesus through Mary.