Jesus’ Family Tree

Jesus’ Family Tree
Studies on The Incarnation
December 2, 2007
 
The Incarnation is the hub not only of human history, but also of ultimate reality.  It is in the incarnation that we know God…it is how God has chosen to let us know Him.  
 
Specifically, God chose to reveal Himself to us as a first century Jewish man named Jesus.  If we are to understand & know Him, we must meet Him in this unique context.  
What does this genealogy teach us?
1.      Jesus was a Jewish man.
•“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ…the Son of Abraham…”
–“It is the simple historical fact that in the thirty years from 67 to 37 B.C. before the emergence of Herod the Great, no fewer than one hundred and fifty thousand men perished in Palestine in revolutionary uprisings.  There was no more explosive and inflammable country in the world than Palestine.”              -William Barclay
 
 
Jewish Factions
•Essenes – “become pure through passive withdrawal”
•Zealots – “conquer the opposition through aggressive action”
•Sadducees – “do whatever works & offers least resistance…while maintaining your image”
•Pharisees – “be pure & good through religious works & activities”
•Crowds – “don’t make strong commitments…just try to survive”
 
What does this genealogy teach us?
2.      Jesus entered humanity’s shame.
•“Tamar…Rahab…Ruth…Uriah’s wife…Mary”
–God often works through unlikely persons & circumstances
–God is a God of grace to those who trust Him
 
 
What does this genealogy teach us?
3.      Jesus is in fact the Promised One…The Messiah
•“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David”
 
Dealing with Jesus
–Are you disappointed with Jesus?
–Are you trying to make Him live up to your expectations?
–Will you accept Him on His terms?