Our "Thread of Genealogical Continuity" [3090]

In reading the Scripture you will discover many, many genealogical records. Over the years several individuals and books have express that the lists of "begats" have little or no luster. In fact, boring and worthy of skimming over.

Certainly, these lists require a degree of diligence in understanding them.

However, valuable lessons are learned in the genealogies:

• God works with people
• The people God works with have had varied lives
• Keeping track of genealogy demonstrates the importance of people
• In the two genealogies of Christ:
  • God has been moving men toward the Christ Event since the beginning.
  • The incarnation means that Christ is one of us, yet God.
  • God has kept his promises to specific individuals in specific ways

Often the two genealogies of Christ are considered contradictory. HOWEVER, I believe that the genealogies in Matthew 1 and Luke 3 to be a powerful witness to who Christ is and God's continued work from the beginning. The following graphic will help explain the importance of genealogy.

Big Full Chart listing of Matthew 1 and Luke 3 comparing the names underlying up the graphic above..

LUKE'S GENEALOGY OF CHRIST through Mary's family lineage

• Begin reading at the end of chapter 3
  • Adam, 3:38
  • Abraham
  • David
  • Solomon
  • Nathan
  • Jesus, 3:23
• Luke documents a promise to the woman in Genesis 3:15
• Luke alone provides names from Adam to Abraham
• Luke and Matthew have the same list from Abram to Solomon
• Luke traces a list of individuals who are for the most part unknown from Nathan to Joseph
• Christ was the son of Joseph so people thought.

• The genealogy fulfills specific promises to individuals:
  • Seed of Women Genesis 3:15
  • All nations blessed through believing Abram[ham] Genesis 12, 13, 15, 17, 22

MATTHEW'S GENEALOGY OF CHRIST through Joseph family lineage (Kingly)

• Begin reading chapter 1
  • Abraham, 1:2
  • Solomon
  • Rehoboam
  • Jesus, 1:16
• Matthew documents the promise to Abram Genesis 12ff
• Matthew and Luke have the same list from Abram to Solomon (one exception)
• Matthew traces a list of kings and individuals Rehoboam to Joseph
• Joseph who married Mary, the mother of Jesus.

• The genealogy fulfills specific promises to individuals:
  • All nations blessed through believing Abram[ham] Genesis 12 , 13, 15, 17, 22
  • Promise to David, 2 Samuel 7 always have a descendent on the throne, Christ is called King of Kings

Last Updated 24 February, 2000