The True Story Of Christmas Part 6 Joseph And Mary Where In The Royal Line Of King David

 

Today I have a genealogy to show the descent of Christ from his earthly father and his mother. 

You can do a search for other charts but this one seemed to be the most complete one that I could find. 

Luke's genealogy connects Christ to Adam and to God and connects Mary to King David.

Luke's genealogy has some unique variation when compared to Mathew's and again this has to do with the specific reason for Luke's list.

Luke 3:13-38 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph, Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge, Which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda, Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri, Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er, Which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim, Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David, Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson, Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda, Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor, Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala, Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech, Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan, Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

30 years of age refers to adult males assuming the responsibilities of adulthood.

Luke's record of Christ's ancestry follows the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist.  

Luke uses the phrase "about 30 years of age" to indicate when Jesus began His public ministry. 

Luke carefully searched all things out (Luke 1:1-4) so he clearly knew when Jesus' ministry started. 

30 years of age refers to the fact that people began to be used of God in some capacity when they reached the age of 30. 

For some examples see Genesis 41:46; Numbers 4; 2 Samuel 5:4; Ezekiel 1:1.

Line of Messiah goes back to Adam

How is Luke's list different? He begins with Jesus Christ and works His way back to Adam and ultimately to God. 

Therefore Luke's list connects Jesus Christ to God. Because this connection transcends both Jews and Gentiles shows that the offer of salvation is universal. 

God can and will save anyone regardless of their race or ethnicity.  

It also reminds us that Adam failed a moral test and that through him sin death entered the world. 

Therefore Paul writes that Christ is the 2nd Adam who did not fail the moral test of obeying the Father and is qualified to die in the place of sinners to pay for our sins. 

God then will redeem any sinner who turns in repentant faith and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ. 

1 Corinthians 15:21-22  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

1 Corinthians 15:45-47  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 

However, Luke does not stop there. He also traces Mary's line and connects her ancestry to the line of King David as well. 

Thus, Jesus Christ is legally qualified to be King through Joseph His earthly father and through Mary His earthly mother. 

Another reminder that Joseph was not the biological father of Christ

Finally, Matthew used the phrase "of whom was born Jesus" to let us know that Mary was the biological mother of Christ and that Joseph was not His biological father.  

Luke uses a different phrase speaking of Jesus Christ "being as was supposed, the son of Joseph" to let us know that Joseph was not the biological father of Christ. 

Thus the two gospel writers who give us the vast majority of details about the birth of Jesus Christ,  make it clear that Joseph was not a biological father to Christ. 

Why? Because Jesus was the long promised seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15). 

Both Matthew and Luke are going to tell the story of Christ's birth in a way that we understand how Jesus was born of a virgin without a earthly father.  

We will return to Matthew's gospel to pick up the records that follow Christ's genealogy. 

Matthew 1:18-25 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Matthew makes it very clear that Mary was a virgin and that she was betrothed to Joseph. 

This means that a legal marriage contract had been entered into and that Joseph was preparing their future home. 

Matthew tells us that the marriage had not been consummated. Mary and Joseph did not have physical intimacy because she was pregnant. 

A Holy Ghost conception in Mary's womb

She was "found with child of the Holy Ghost" is how Matthew tells us how the seed of the woman was formed in Mary's womb. 

It was a Divine intervention in the space, matter and time continuum right at the fullness of time for Christ to be born. 

As we read the gospel record, I am struck by what a good man Joseph was and by the depth of his love for Mary. 

He found out that she was pregnant and that likely was very disturbing to Joseph. Yet, he was a just man, a man who feared God and sought to please Him with choices that he made. 

Under the law, Joseph could have made a very public case against Mary for adultery, possibly even having her stoned to death. 

Instead he was thinking of a private divorce to help her avoid public humiliation and disgrace. 

As Joseph thought about this matter the angel of the Lord appeared to him to tell him not to be afraid of marrying Mary. 

The child that "was conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost." A miraculous and Divine birth was going to happen. 

The angel connects what is happening in real time in Joseph's life is the fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14.  

Then, He proceeds to tell Joseph the name of this baby. He would be called JESUS, which means Jehovah is savior because He was going to save people from their sins. 

Matthew's account ends with Joseph submitting to the will of God and obeying by marrying Mary. 

He did not know her, that is they did not consummate their marriage until some time after Christ was born. 

Joseph's quiet obedience and willingness to raise this holy child tells us much about the character of this man. 

Points to Ponder..

Luke connects Christ to Adam and to God

Luke connects Mary to King David

Luke also makes sure we know that Joseph is not the biological father or Christ

God made sure that Joseph knew Mary was an honorable woman and the child she was carrying was from God

Joseph humbly obeyed and married Mary and helped raise the new born child.

How beautiful the plans of God are. The birth of the seed of the woman in the person of Jesus Christ is the singular pivotal moment in human history. 

Christ is the 2nd Adam sent to undo the wrong choice of the first Adam. 

God planned to save all those who turned in repentant faith to Jesus Christ and believed on Him for salvation.

May these wonderful truths continue to impact our lives and cause us to live for His honor and glory.

Bob