Seek First the Kingdom: God’s Invitation to Life and Joy in the Book of MatthewSample

The King’s Heritage

People are often fascinated by uncovering their family trees and learning who their ancestors were and where they came from. For someone of royal birth, however, the significance of their lineage goes far beyond fascination or interesting facts: their place in the family tree equates to title and authority. Because of this, a royal lineage is carefully chronicled and kept throughout generations and centuries.

Matthew began his book with a genealogy. While we’re often tempted in our Bible reading to skip genealogies, Matthew begins with one for a significant reason: the author is establishing Jesus’ family heritage. Jewish families kept detailed records of their lineage in order to legally establish familial rights and inheritance. Matthew tells us to look at these key people—and the promises given to them—to help frame how we read the entire book and how we understand who Jesus is. His heritage tells a significant story.

David and Abraham are significant in Jewish history because God made promises to both of them. Much of the Old Testament can be understood according to the “eras” of these men. What promises did God make to them? Read the verses listed below.

• Abraham (at the time called Abram) in Genesis 12:1-3; 15:5-7
• David in 2 Samuel 7:11b-17

These promises were essentially one-sided binding covenants. God initiated both of them and promised to act according to His own character and not based upon Abraham or David’s ability to keep the covenants. God said He would create a people, enjoying His provision, resting under His protective power, in a specific place. In other words, God promised a kingdom.

Jesus inherited these promises through His family line. In other words, these promises will, according to God, be fulfilled and completed by someone in Jesus’ family.

Matthew, writing to a primarily Jewish audience, started his book by establishing Jesus’ familial heritage and, because of His heritage, His inheritance of the promises and prophecies God had made about someone who would be born in His line. Matthew formatted his genealogy in a way that emphasizes how Jesus is in fact the fulfillment of these promises and prophecies. He is the King the Jews had waited for. And He is our King as well.

How has Jesus’ service specifically benefited you? Spend time in prayer thanking Him.