He Came to Change the World: 7 Day Advent GuideSample

Tracing a person’s genealogy was a very Jewish thing to do. The Jews considered themselves to be a chosen people, and it was important to know from which of the twelve tribes their family had descended. Tracing Jesus’ lineage back to King David was crucial to proving his Messiahship. 

Most theologians believe that Matthew provides Joseph’s lineage and Luke traces Mary’s. Both lists prove that Jesus was born into the family tree of King David. Interestingly, Matthew makes a point to include a few of the “bad apples” on that family tree. Matthew’s genealogy mentions Rahab, the prostitute who helped Joshua and his men; Ruth, a gentile, married to a Jewish man (not something highly thought of); and Solomon, “whose mother had been Uriah’s wife”—another low point in Jewish history. 

Luke uses his genealogy to trace Jesus’ roots back to Adam, indicating that Jesus belonged to the human race, not just the twelve tribes of Israel. Matthew and Luke wanted to prove that Jesus was born a descendant of King David—the necessary lineage of the Messiah.

But Matthew and Luke are both careful to point out Jesus’ most important lineage. In the first chapter of Luke, Mary questioned the angel, asking how she could be pregnant while still a virgin. The angel responded by saying, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). Matthew records the angel telling Joseph, “Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:20).

Jesus was born to a culture that valued family lineage. His unique lineage was defined by the angel who revealed him to be “the Son of God.” John wrote about the lineage of Jesus in his gospel as well. He said Jesus “came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent or a husband’s will, but born of God” (John 1:11–13). 

The Hebrew people had no problem thinking of Jesus as the son of Mary and Joseph and therefore a descendant of King David. Many could not think of him as the Son of God. “His own did not receive him.” People struggle with what to think about Jesus today. Most can accept his humanity—the struggle comes in understanding his divinity.

Each person you will spend time with this Christmas has an important family genealogy. (Hopefully some will share yours!) Take some time, however, to consider their spiritual genealogy.

Who will you share the holiday with that has not yet become a child of God? Jesus was born with a powerful lineage—a descendant of King David. He was also born to provide a powerful lineage—to all that would believe in his name. Will there be someone who celebrates Christmas this year as a Christian because you helped them understand that the baby in the manger, the One they think of as the son of Mary and Joseph, is also the Son of God? Take a moment and pray for them by name.