December 13, 2015
Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:12-17
12And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, 14and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, 15and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, 16and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
17So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
Questions for Reflection:
Matthew uses his genealogy to establish Jesus’ legal claim to the throne of David. However, even though he does this through Jesus’ adopted father Joseph, he makes it clear that Jesus was born by Mary. The verb “was born” is in the passive tense. In this passage, the verb is used over forty times in the genealogy, but every other time is was in the active tense. So, as an example, Abraham “fathered, gave birth to” Isaac. So instead of noting the human action, Matthew is emphasizing God’s role in the birth of Christ.
We often can get lost in a list of names like found in Matthew’s genealogy. However, it is important to remember that each person listed played a role in making God’s purpose for humanity come to bear. While we know nothing else of men like Azor or Zadok or Abiud, we do know that they played a part in God’s narrative. There are times when we feel insignificant or like we’re not making a difference. Let these names remind you that you are playing a part in what God is doing in the world. You may not realize the impact of your life for generations, but continue to faithfully love and serve God and He will use your life to impact others.