Swindoll's Living Insights Commentary Matthew 1a - Flipbook - Page 31
The Genesis of Jesus | Matthew 1:1-17
Amminadab to
Nahshon
Uzziah to Jotham
(skipping Ahaziah,
Joash, and Amaziah)
Achim to Eliud
Nahshon to Salmon
Jotham to Ahaz
Eliud to Eleazar
Salmon to Boaz by
Rahab
Ahaz to Hezekiah
Eleazar to Matthan
Boaz to Obed by Ruth
Hezekiah to Manasseh
Matthan to Jacob
Obed to Jesse
Manasseh to Amon
Jacob to Joseph
Jesse to David the
king
Amon to Josiah
Joseph to Jesus the
Messiah, born of Mary
David’s reign as king
Josiah to Jeconiah
and his brothers,
at the time of the
deportation to Babylon
APPLICATION: MATTHEW 1:1-17
A Genealogy of Grace
At first glance, Matthew’s genealogy looks like a boring list of barely
pronounceable n
ames—verses to be skipped in a daily reading schedule and definitely not a passage to preach from on a Sunday morning!
However, on closer examination, we recognize an important practical
truth woven into the fabric of this list of the Messiah’s ancestors.
With the exception of Jesus Himself, every person in this list was a
sinner—frail and foolish. Each o
ne—from the very well known to the
virtually unknown—had a life marred by sin and guilt. We can’t name
each one’s sin. But we know of Abraham’s deceptions. And Judah’s conspiring with his brothers against Joseph. And Tamar’s seduction. And
Rahab’s prostitution. And David’s adultery. And Manasseh’s wicked
ness. And the on-again, o
ff-again, halfhearted faith and obedience of
the line of Judah’s kings.
So what does this list tell us? That God’s grace excludes no one. If
these men and women could be included in God’s past story, sinners
like you and me can be included in His present story. Humanly speaking, nobody deserved a place in Christ’s legal and physical family line.
Likewise, none of us deserves a branch in His spiritual family tree! Matthew’s genealogy reminds us all of God’s amazing grace.
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