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Thoughts Archived > Genealogy of Jesus...why?


18 Jan 2009


 


January 18, 2009


Matthew 1: 1-17 & Luke 3:23-38


   Genealogy of Jesus...why? 


 


Matthew


This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of King David and of Abraham:


Abraham was the father of Issac, Isaac was the father of Jacob.  Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers.  Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (their mother was Tamar).  Perez was the father of Hezron.  Hezron was the father of Ram.  Ram was the father of Amminadab.  Amminadab was the father of Nahshon.  Nahshon was the father of Salmon.  Salmon was the father of Boaz (his mother was Rahab).  Boaz was the father of Obed (his mother was Ruth).  Obed was the father of Jesse.  Jesse was the father of King David.  David was the father of Solomon (his mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah).  Solomon was the father of Rehoboam.  Rehobaoam was the father of Abijah.  Abijah was the father of Asaph.  Asaph was the father of Jehoshaphat.  Jehoshaphat was the father of Jehoram.  Jehoram was the father of Uzziah.  Uzziah was the father of Jotham.  Jotham was the father of Ahaz.  Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah.  Hezehiah was the father of Mannasseh.  Mannasseh was the father of Amos.  Amos was the father of Josiah.  Josiah was the father of Jehoiachin and his brothers (born at the time of the exile to Babylon).  After the Babylonian exile:  Jehoiachin was the father of Shealtiel.  Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel.  Zerubabbel was the father of Abiud.  Abiud was the father of Eliakim.  Eliahim was the father of Azor.  Azor was the father of Zadok.  Zadok was the father of Akim.  Akim was the father of Eliud.  Eliud was the father of Eleazar.  Eleazar was the father of Matthan.  Matthan was the father of Jacob.  Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.  Mary was the mother of Jesus, who is called the Messiah.   All those listed above include fourteen generations from Abraham to King David, and fourteen from David's time to the Babylonian exile, and fourteen from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah.


Luke   


Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry.


Jesus was known as the son of Joseph.  Joseph was the son of Heli.  Heli was the son of Matthat.  Matthat was the son of Levi.  Levi was the son of Melki.  Melki was the son of Jannai.  Jannai was the son of Joseph.  Joseph was the son of Mattahias.  Mattathias was the son of Amos.  Amos was the son of Nahum.  Nahum ws the son of Esli.  Esli was the son of Naggai.  Naggai was the son of Maath.  Maath was the son of Mattahias.  Mattathias was the son of Semein.  Semein was the son of Josech.  Josech was the son of Joda.  Joda was the son of Joanan.  Joanan was the son of Rhesa.  Rhesa was the son of Zerubbabel.  Zerubbabel was the son of Shealtiel.  Sheatiel was the son of Neri.  Neri was the son of Melki.  Melki was the son of Addi.  Addi was the son of Cosam.  Cosam was the son of Elmadam.  Elmadam was the son of Er.  Er was the son of Joshua.  Joshua was the son of Eliezer.  Eliezer was the son of Jorim.  Jorim was the son of Matthat.  Matthat was the son of Levi.  Levi was the son of Simeon.  Simeon was the son of Judah.  Judah was the son of Joseph.  Joseph was the son of Jonam.  Jonam was the son of Eliakim.  Eliakim was the son of Melea.  Melea was the son of Menna.  Menna was the son of Mattatha.  Mattatha was the son of David.  David was the son of Jesse.  Jesse was the son of Obed.  Obed was the son of Boaz.  Boaz was the son of Salmon.  Salmon was the son of Nahshon.  Nashon was the son of Amminadab.  Amminadab was the son of Admin.  Admin was the son of Arni.  Arni was the son of Hezron.  Hezron was the son of Perez.  Perez was the son of Judah.  Judah was the son of Jacob.  Jacob was the son of Isaac.  Isaac was the son of Abraham.  Abraham was the son of Terah.  Terah was the son of Nahor.  Nahor was the son of Serug.  Serug was the son of Reu.  Reu was the son of Peleg.  Peleg was the son of Eber.  Eber was the son of Shelah.  Shelah was the son of Cainan.  Cainan was the son of Arphaxad.  Arphazad was the son of Shem.  Shem was the son of Noah.  Noah was the son of Lamech.  Lamech was the son of Methuselah.  Methuselah was the son of Enoch.  Enoch was the son of Jared.  Jared was the son of Mahalalel.  Mahalalel was the son of Kenan.  Kenan was the son of Enosh.  Enosh was the son of Seth.  Seth was the son of Adam.  Adam was the son of God.         


 


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Thoughts...


Phew!  That is a big family!  Now, for those of you thinking, how can Jesus be from 2 families and be one person....let me tell you what I know.  My understanding, and that of historians, is that Matthew traces Jesus' parental line, while Luke traces Mary's parental line.  In the notes of the Life Application Bible it  indicates in Luke thus "Matthew's genealogy goes back to Abraham and shows that Jesus ws related to all Jews.  Luke's geneology goes back to Adam, showing that Jesus is related to all human beings.  This is consistant with Luke's picture of Jesus as the Savior of the whole world.  The notes in Matthew read:  "Because Mary was a virgin when she became pregant, Matthew lists Joseph only as the husband of Mary, not the father of Jesus.  Matthews's genealogy gives Jesus' legal (or royal) lineage through Joseph."  "Both Mary and Joseph were direct descendants of David."  "Matthew wrote to the Jews, so Jesus was shown as a descendant of their father, Abraham.  Luke wrote to the Gentiles, so he emphasized Jesus as the Savior of all people."  It goes on to say, "Matthew breaks Israel's history into three sets of 14 generations, but there were probably more generations than those listed here.  Genealogies often compressed history, meaning that not every generation of ancestors was specifically listed.  Thus the phrase the father of can also be translated "the ancestor of." "


I've recently asked an atheist what they believe and why.  I was given an article that was written by an atheist and it made me wonder about how I would answer an atheist as to what I believe and why.  I would have to start at the beginning.  The science, the data...the proof.  It has been stated by another that science can't be a 'feel something' proof.  So, in either or both geneaologies presented, we have facts that can't be argued.  We have 4 gospels (from which derives the phrase "the gospel truth")...4 accounts of a man's life by 4 different people written at different times in history by people that had personal contact with the man named Jesus.  We have a man who started his PUBLIC ministry at age 30, which historically is the norm in the Jewish religion.  We have a man named, Jesus, who had a whole lot of people follow him and believe in him and experience miracles as a result of what he knew, what he told them, what they believed in, and lived with, and by...and because of who he was...the son of God.  


To me, it has not mattered if his birth was virgin or not.  It has not mattered to me whether he was born out of wedlock, adopted, or fostered with many families.  It matters to me that he was born.  It matters to me that he was so 'one with God' that he could profess God.  It matters to me that he was willing to answer God's call to live his live for others, giving God to others.  It matters to me that he was willing to live to give me direction and focus upon God, and die for me, take upon my sins and provide me a saving grace.  It does not matter to me if his bones were stolen or he arose to the heavens.   His spirit did.  That's what matters to me.   It matters, and I know that he did, because I have the Holy Spirit within me  who confirms the things of God.  [Please don't misconstrue this to be a doctrine, or a dogma, or misinterpretation of the Bible.]


But wait.  Atheists don't believe in God...so they don't apparently believe in Jesus as the son of God.  So I have to go back to God...really the beginning.  Ok.  More documentation.  History of thousands of generations of people who have called upon and relied upon a God...a God who gave us a Savior....as evidenced by thousands of generations of more history.  I can only speak here about our God as we know him as Christians.  A God that the Jews still believe in and rely on today despite the fact the majority do not believe that Jesus is the Savior born.  A God to whom more people than I can count have prayed to for help and have received it.  A God who loves, even if he is not loved.


Who made the universe...so vast?  How did it 'just come into being'?  Science might tell you some atom morphed a few times.  And then I guess an atom, by itself, remorphed by itself and turned into a puppy dog, and a tree, and a human.  Oh, wait...the trees came first.  Anyway, does it matter if we evolved or not even?  Wouldn't God make that happen, too, if he is God?  I believe he is God...that there even is a God...and not any God....MY God...creator of heaven and earth...and of Christ...and me...and my puppy dog...you...and computers...and imagination....to create, procreate, to give life, grow, to write, and give us Holy Spirit to guide us and give utterance.  A God who gives life and a God who saves.  A God who sent Jesus Christ to give life abundantly by knowing, and sharing, and giving, and dying, who still gives today.  Who still lives today...in heaven and can live in our hearts if we let him.  


It's so easy.  Just ask God if he is real....if Jesus is really the Savior for the world.  If Holy Spirit has been given to you to learn and know more...to live life right and fully.  


I know this is true and I give testimony to such in the name of Jesus Christ. 


How would you answer an atheist?  I know my answers may appear shallow, or milk instead of meat to some.  I know I could spend hours giving the dessert to the answers on the table.  But we have to start somewhere to spark hearts into knowing and sharing, and we must begin today, without wasting time on all we know, but that we know.   Don't worry about how you practice your faith.  We all practice in our own way or as prescribed by our different churches.  Think about what you might say now...in advance...so that you can confidently go forth preaching the gospel to all those around you.  That is why we are all here....isn't it?  To do the work of the Lord who sends us?  Who gave us life?   Isn't that what we are all called to do?  Be ministers of the word?  It is, and we should answer God's call every chance we get...going forth boldly...full of the Holy Spirt...thanks to Jesus...thanks to God.  


Remember what Peter said in Acts 4:  "For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, the stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.  There is salvation in no one else!  There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them." 


Won't you call on him today and share him with the world?                       


 


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Let Us Pray


 Lord, you alone save and give life.  Let us pray to you, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit to forgive us of our sins and give us and abundant life for you.  Give us utterance by your Holy Spirit, so that we may go forth sharing who you are, that you are and how wonderful you are.  Let us give hope where there is none and promise where there is hope.  Only by you, Lord.  Help us to proclaim, as we exclaim, that you are Lord and Savior!  That you alone are God!  That only by the one and true Holy Spirit do we have fullness of life!  Heal us now that you've forgiven us.  Fill this vessel full to overflowing with your Holy Spirit now left empty from the release of sin and pain, sorrow and suffering, so that Satan can never enter us and cause us to sin, feel pain, sorrow and suffering again.  Let us rejoice in you, Lord!  You, Jesus, said to Martha (John 11:25-26)  "I am the resurrection and the life.  Those who believe in me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again.  They are given eternal life for believing in me and will never perish."  And then Jesus asks her, "Do you believe this?"   Say to him now, "Lord, count me in....I believe this and I believe in you.  Help my unbelief and strengthen me by your Holy Spirit to go forth praising you and telling others about you.  Go with me.  Thank you."  Amen   


P.S., Lord.  Please be with our new President in America.  Keep him and his family safe, keep him and them strong in you, and give him and them wisdom and knowlege that can only come from your Holy Spirit to guide and direct.  Be with the outgoing President and his family, that he and they may find peace from you within.  Thank you.  Amen.          


 


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Wise men...and women...still seek him.


  Give him your finest gift....your self.   


 


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"What can I give him, poor as I am?


If I were a Shepherd, I'd give him a lamb.


If I were a Wise Man, I'd do my part.


But what I can, I give...my heart."


Christina Rosetti   


 


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Give him your heart today.


 


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"Do you hear what I hear?


Said the king to the people everywhere,

"Listen to what I say!

Pray for peace, people, everywhere,

Listen to what I say!

The Child, the Child sleeping in the night

He will bring us goodness and light,

  He will bring us goodness and light.


 


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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation.  


 


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If you feel that the Church of the Holy Spirit has inspired or helped you, we'd like you to prayerfully consider tithing regulary to us or gifting us, so that we can further the work and carry out the will of the Father as proclaimed in Matthew 28:16 NLT


to


"Go and make disciples out of all the nations


baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.


Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:


I am with you always, even to the end of the age."


 


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  Our Current Cause


We have a family in crisis who could desperately use your prayers and support.  The Mom, a good Christian woman, is young still...she just turned 50, and she has 3 young children under 15.  She has just been diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer.  Her husband died 3 years ago from Cancer, and her Mother, who has her own health issues, is trying to care for her and her children and help her along life's way.  They do not have enough money to meet their everyday expenses right now.  But I am confident that, with your help, we can find some balance for them.  If this touches your heart, we hope you will pray earnestly for her to be healed, and pray for her family.  And, if you would, please send any amount of money you can to help them.  Please note 'Elizabeth and kids' in your note line on your check and we will see that all funds go directly to them.  Please consider reaching out to help them.  I know they will be sincerely grateful for anything you can do to help.  


Please accept our sincerest thanks....and may God bless you.


 


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Church of the Holy Spirit


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  One last thing....


 


Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving


"The Unforced Rythms of Grace"


 


"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."


Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one know the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."


"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.



Matthew 11:  25-30


  The Message


 


And the people said,


"Amen."


 


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Scriptures may be taken from the New Living Translations website. 


 


Unless otherwise indicated, all Scriputre quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.


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