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During this Advent Season, our Daily Devotionals come from Tallowood Baptist Church's 2021 Advent Guide. Tallowood staff and church members contributed to the writings based on the Gospel of Luke which complements our Sunday worship series, "Christmas Music." Download a digital copy of this year's Advent Guide.
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| Luke 3:23-38
Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph,
the son of Heli, the son of Matthat,
the son of Levi, the son of Melki,
the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,
the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos,
the son of Nahum, the son of Esli,
the son of Naggai, the son of Maath,
the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein,
the son of Josek, the son of Joda,
the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa,
the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel,
the son of Neri, the son of Melki,
the son of Addi, the son of Cosam,
the son of Elmadam, the son of Er,
the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer,
the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat,
the son of Levi, the son of Simeon,
the son of Judah, the son of Joseph,
the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,
the son of Melea, the son of Menna,
the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan,
the son of David, the son of Jesse,
the son of Obed, the son of Boaz,
the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,
the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram,
the son of Hezron, the son of Perez,
the son of Judah, the son of Jacob,
the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham,
the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,
the son of Serug, the son of Reu,
the son of Peleg, the son of Eber,
the son of Shelah, the son of Cainan,
the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem,
the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,
the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch,
the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel,
the son of Kenan, the son of Enosh,
the son of Seth, the son of Adam,
the son of God.
New International Version (NIV)
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Genealogy
Luke interrupts the narrative about how Jesus’ ministry began to detail the genealogy of the Son of Man. It is not the same genealogy as the one recorded in Matthew for two reasons. First, Matthew outlines the genealogy of Joseph while Doctor Luke records the genealogy of Mary. Mary is not in the listing of her ancestors because of the cultural tradition of only tracing generations through men. That appears to be a confusing omission, but rather than becoming critical and superimposing contemporary gender fairness upon it, let’s consider that at another time. Just realize that the lineage is equally important for both of the earthly parents of Jesus.
Second, Luke takes the lineage all the way back to Adam rather than stopping at Abraham. It seems important to Luke to go as far back into human history as possible to demonstrate God’s faithfulness and intentionality in the birth of Jesus. It may or may not be important that the two authors go in reverse order. Matthew starts with Abraham and proceeds to the birth while Luke moves from the birth back to Adam. The common ground for the genealogy is that both are from the linage of King David, giving Jesus doubly the legal and legitimate right to David’s throne.
As interesting as it may be to research our own genealogies, it is most important to realize the importance of the linage of Jesus. In 2 Samuel 7:16, God promises, “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me, your throne will be established forever.” The eternal nature of God’s promise to David, and to His own Son, the Son of Man, is important to our faith. The books of First and Second Kings record the successes and failures of the kings in David’s line, but the One Hope was for a son who would truly honor God and bring all of mankind to Him. Only Jesus could do that. And it is the fulfillment of that promise that we celebrate with the advent of His birth.
It is appropriate to give thanks for God’s great gift to us and we can join in David’s prayer in 2 Samuel 7:21, “For the sake of Your word, and according to Your heart, You have done all this greatness…” God always desired for His children to worship and live in relationship with Him. The birth of Jesus made that possible. Do you know Him?
Larry Heslip, Tallowood Adult Connect Group Teacher
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