God's Grace, Justice, and Faithfulness in Jesus' Genealogy

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound truths embedded in the genealogy of Jesus as presented in the Gospel of Matthew. This genealogy is not merely a list of names but a rich tapestry that reveals the character of God and the nature of His kingdom. It serves as an origin story, much like the origin stories we find fascinating in literature and film, such as "Wicked" or "Batman." However, this origin story is about the new creation ushered in by Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.

The genealogy is intentionally crafted, not for historical accuracy, but to convey theological truths. It includes unexpected figures, particularly four women—Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba—who were outsiders and carried significant cultural and moral baggage. Their inclusion highlights God's grace, showing that Jesus is not ashamed to call them, and us, His family. This genealogy tells us that no matter our past, God's grace is sufficient, and we are welcomed into His family.

Furthermore, the genealogy underscores God's justice. The alterations and omissions in the list of names remind us that God is righteous and just. He does not overlook sin but deals with it decisively, as seen in the cross of Christ, where justice and grace meet. This justice assures us that all wrongs will be made right, either through the cross or in the final judgment, providing us with peace and empowering us to forgive.

Lastly, the genealogy speaks of God's faithfulness. Despite the long history of Israel, marked by both faithfulness and failure, God remained true to His promises. The inclusion of Mary and the birth of Jesus demonstrate that God fulfills His promises in His perfect timing. This faithfulness assures us that God will not abandon us, even when we feel forgotten or lost.

Key Takeaways:

- God's Grace: The genealogy of Jesus includes unexpected figures, particularly four women who were outsiders and carried significant cultural and moral baggage. Their inclusion highlights God's grace, showing that Jesus is not ashamed to call them, and us, His family. This tells us that no matter our past, God's grace is sufficient, and we are welcomed into His family. [57:17]

- God's Justice: The alterations and omissions in the genealogy remind us that God is righteous and just. He does not overlook sin but deals with it decisively, as seen in the cross of Christ, where justice and grace meet. This justice assures us that all wrongs will be made right, either through the cross or in the final judgment, providing us with peace and empowering us to forgive. [01:12:13]

- God's Faithfulness: Despite the long history of Israel, marked by both faithfulness and failure, God remained true to His promises. The inclusion of Mary and the birth of Jesus demonstrate that God fulfills His promises in His perfect timing. This faithfulness assures us that God will not abandon us, even when we feel forgotten or lost. [01:20:18]

- Theological Intentionality: The genealogy is not just a historical record but a theological statement. It is crafted to convey deep truths about God's character and His kingdom. This intentionality invites us to see beyond the surface and understand the profound message of grace, justice, and faithfulness that God communicates through these names. [51:10]

- Invitation to Trust: The genealogy invites us to trust in God's plan and timing. It shows us that God is working through history, even when we cannot see it. This trust is not passive but active, calling us to live in light of God's grace, justice, and faithfulness, and to share this good news with others. [01:23:04]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [44:28] - Opening Prayer
- [45:42] - God's Presence in All Circumstances
- [46:54] - The Importance of Context
- [48:20] - Origin Stories and Their Significance
- [49:22] - Jesus' Genealogy as an Origin Story
- [51:10] - Theological Intentionality in Genealogy
- [57:17] - God's Grace in Unexpected Places
- [59:02] - The Scandal of Grace
- [01:01:36] - The Inclusivity and Exclusivity of Grace
- [01:09:42] - God's Justice and Righteousness
- [01:12:13] - The Necessity of Justice for True Grace
- [01:13:15] - Finding Peace in God's Justice
- [01:20:18] - God's Faithfulness Through Generations
- [01:23:04] - Personal Reflection on God's Faithfulness
- [01:23:59] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 1:1-17
- Genesis 38 (Tamar's story)
- Joshua 2 (Rahab's story)

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Observation Questions:

1. What is the significance of the genealogy in Matthew 1:1-17, and how does it serve as an origin story for Jesus? [49:22]

2. Who are the four women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus, and why is their inclusion significant? [57:17]

3. How does the genealogy in Matthew highlight God's grace through the inclusion of unexpected figures? [59:02]

4. What are some intentional changes or omissions in the genealogy, and what do they reveal about God's justice? [01:09:42]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the inclusion of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba in Jesus' genealogy illustrate the concept of God's grace? [57:17]

2. In what ways does the genealogy of Jesus reflect God's justice, particularly through the alterations and omissions in the list of names? [01:12:13]

3. How does the genealogy demonstrate God's faithfulness throughout the history of Israel, and what does this mean for believers today? [01:20:18]

4. What theological truths does Matthew intend to convey through the genealogy, and how do these truths invite us to trust in God's plan? [51:10]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own family history. Are there aspects of your past that you feel ashamed of? How does the genealogy of Jesus encourage you to view your past in light of God's grace? [59:02]

2. How can understanding God's justice, as seen in the genealogy, help you find peace and empower you to forgive those who have wronged you? [01:13:15]

3. In what ways have you experienced God's faithfulness in your life, especially during times when you felt forgotten or lost? How can this assurance of faithfulness impact your current circumstances? [01:20:18]

4. The genealogy invites us to trust in God's timing. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to trust God's plan? How can you actively cultivate trust in His perfect timing? [01:23:04]

5. How does the intentionality of the genealogy challenge you to look beyond the surface and understand the deeper truths of God's character and His kingdom? [51:10]

6. Consider the inclusivity and exclusivity of God's grace. How can you extend this grace to others in your community, regardless of their background or past? [01:01:36]

7. How can you actively share the good news of God's grace, justice, and faithfulness with others in your life? What specific steps can you take this week to live out these truths? [01:23:04]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Grace Welcomes All
The genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew is a profound testament to God's grace. It includes unexpected figures, particularly four women—Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba—who were outsiders and carried significant cultural and moral baggage. Their inclusion highlights God's grace, showing that Jesus is not ashamed to call them, and us, His family. This tells us that no matter our past, God's grace is sufficient, and we are welcomed into His family. The genealogy serves as a reminder that God's kingdom is open to all, regardless of their history or background. It is a powerful message of inclusion and redemption, inviting everyone to be part of God's family. [57:17]

Ephesians 2:12-13 (ESV): "Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt like an outsider. How can you extend the grace and welcome of Jesus to someone in your life who might feel the same way today?


Day 2: Justice and Grace Intertwined
The genealogy of Jesus also underscores God's justice. The alterations and omissions in the list of names remind us that God is righteous and just. He does not overlook sin but deals with it decisively, as seen in the cross of Christ, where justice and grace meet. This justice assures us that all wrongs will be made right, either through the cross or in the final judgment, providing us with peace and empowering us to forgive. It is a call to trust in God's righteous judgment and to live in the light of His justice, knowing that He will ultimately set all things right. [01:12:13]

Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you struggle to forgive? How can you invite God's justice and grace into that situation today?


Day 3: Faithfulness Through Generations
Despite the long history of Israel, marked by both faithfulness and failure, God remained true to His promises. The inclusion of Mary and the birth of Jesus demonstrate that God fulfills His promises in His perfect timing. This faithfulness assures us that God will not abandon us, even when we feel forgotten or lost. It is a reminder that God's timing is perfect, and His promises are sure, encouraging us to trust in His faithfulness through every season of life. [01:20:18]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Reflection: Reflect on a promise from God that you are waiting to see fulfilled. How can you actively trust in His faithfulness today, even if the fulfillment seems distant?


Day 4: Theological Intentionality in Genealogy
The genealogy of Jesus is not just a historical record but a theological statement. It is crafted to convey deep truths about God's character and His kingdom. This intentionality invites us to see beyond the surface and understand the profound message of grace, justice, and faithfulness that God communicates through these names. It challenges us to look deeper into the Scriptures and discover the rich theological truths that God has woven into His Word. [51:10]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Reflection: What is one passage of Scripture you can study more deeply this week to uncover its theological significance? How can this study shape your understanding of God's character?


Day 5: Trusting in God's Plan
The genealogy invites us to trust in God's plan and timing. It shows us that God is working through history, even when we cannot see it. This trust is not passive but active, calling us to live in light of God's grace, justice, and faithfulness, and to share this good news with others. It is an invitation to participate in God's unfolding story, confident that He is sovereign and His purposes will prevail. [01:23:04]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's timing. What steps can you take today to actively trust Him and align your actions with His plan?

Quotes

"Today we're going to get into the first 17 verses, and as Nate read for us, this is a list of names that begins an origin story. You look at the first few words, it says the book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Most translations translate that word genealogy, but the word is actually Genesis, origin." [00:49:40] (25 seconds)


"The genealogy is selective this is the first part of the origin story we're going to look at today but the genealogy it's not intentionally accurate if you were to write an origin story for your life based upon a genealogy you would look in modern times for accuracy make sure the names are correct the time periods are correct the locations are correct but that is not how this genealogy is presented it's presented in a purposeful way not to articulate accuracy of generations and names in fact he intentionally changes some names he's writing it in a way to communicate theological truth this is a book of intentional writing of names" [00:51:35] (44 seconds)


"She's despised as a Moabite, which in this time was a low person on the social class, on the social ladder, on the spiritual register. She's a Gentile, an outsider, but she's literally the great -grandmother of David and the great -great -grandmother of Jesus." [00:56:57] (20 seconds)


"Matthew intentionally writes into the story of Jesus' origin, his genealogies, family tree, a writing of people who are marked by adultery, insults, incest, murder, sin. He could have chosen other people. He intentionally chooses these women. He could have ignored them, but he includes them." [00:59:02] (25 seconds)


"Look what matthew is doing he's intentionally writing people with very shameful backgrounds into the story of the christ into the story of the savior and this is incredibly shocking because in this culture your genealogy was everything it was like your cv it was like your social standing it meant everything in your life for your position for your family for your background for your job for everything it's how you got connections why is he doing this he's showing us something about god he's showing us something that's unique about this jesus the christ the son of david the son of abraham he is showing us that god is a god of grace jesus is not ashamed to have in his family line people like tamar rahab ruth and besheba which means jesus is not ashamed to call them sisters which means that jesus is not ashamed to call you brother or sister jesus isn't ashamed of you for all the things that you would hide from your family background for all the things that we don't show anyone else in our life because it's all too shameful jesus will look at that and say sister" [01:01:36] (92 seconds)


"son daughter these women previously excluded in culture in society included by grace this shows us that god is gracious it shows us that this savior is not ashamed of you you know what this means what we're going to see in matthew's gospel this origin story it's going to show us you cannot out sin the grace of jesus you can't be so kind to love other people but you can be God's friend where sin increased paul tells us grace abounds all the more you can't be so shameful that jesus can't love you the gospel of jesus christ says anyone's welcome it's inclusive as it can be anyone doesn't matter your family background doesn't matter the things that you would hide it doesn't matter because his grace abounds more it's also not only incredibly inclusive it but it's also this is where it gets scandalous a little bit it's also very exclusive because it's found by grace in this king only by grace through this king through faith if you were to ask a christian woman who was who today lives in india who previously was a sex worker and but she's now a follower of jesus you know what her answer was would be for why she's a daughter of the king? Grace." [01:03:28] (105 seconds)


"beyond the power of his grace scriptures tell us today if you hear his voice do not harden your hearts today can be the day of salvation because this God is a God of grace the gospel good news that's what it means and Matthew doesn't wait for the words of Jesus to proclaim good news he does it in his genealogy by listing these women because God is gracious God is also in the second set of names he shows us God is a God who is just an attribute of this God is that he is righteous he is just the second set of 14 names go from Solomon to the exile it goes from this height of Kings from David all the way down to the bottom of justice and judgment for the people of God from the height of David the ideal King the spiritual glory of a man who's after God's own heart to the people of God from the height of David the ideal King the spiritual glory of a man who's after God's own heart to the this downward spirit spiral of decline in God's people lot just like the four this downward spirit spiral of decline in God's people lot just like the four women were included in the first set of names there are four intentional changes alterations in this next list you can see that on the screen these four listed and you can either circle them or just kind of note them if you want to ever look back at them but he changes the fourth Kings name Asa to the psalmist name Asaph that's one of the changes he makes intentionally the second one is after Joram he intentionally omits three Kings which means he's omitting three generations four chapters in the Bible over 60 years of Israel's history third change altering a single letter he changes King Amon into the prophet Amos fourth he omits Jehoiakim before the name or King Jehoiachin in summary fourth he omits Jehoiachin before the name or King Jehoiachin in summary maybe those changes don't seem like much to us at first but at least if you hone maybe those changes don't seem like much to us at first but at least if you hone in on Asaph and Amos this is a psalmist and a prophet I think this is intentional because one of the other things he wants to see and we'll see throughout this gospel is that this God is a God who is just he is a righteous God just like the inclusion of the women emphasized God's grace God's grace just like the inclusion of the women emphasized God's grace these alterations show us God is just over sin he is holy he is righteous he these alterations show us God is just over sin he is holy he is righteous he chose a psalmist and a prophet to intentionally change these names to chose a psalmist and a prophet to intentionally change these names to emphasize spiritual renewal and the justice of God if you read the prophet emphasize spiritual renewal and the justice of God if you read the prophet Amos I don't know how many years ago is now but we did a series on the minor Amos I don't know how many years ago is now but we did a series on the minor prophets we took each minor prophet and did one sermon on those 12 minor prophets we took each minor prophet and did one sermon on those 12 minor prophets so we spent an entire sermon on Amos and you see in this prophet social prophets so we spent an entire sermon on Amos and you see in this prophet social social justice, that this justice that God has should embody itself in the life of God's people as they interact with the people around them, as they interact with each other." [01:06:16] (0 seconds)


"This is an important theological foundation, that God is just, that he is holy, that he is righteous. I'm using those interchangeably because these are aspects of God's righteousness, graciousness, his holiness, his justice. If you do not have a God who is just, that he will judge sin, that he hates sin, that he can't stand with sin, there will be no good news." [01:09:42] (26 seconds)


"God is so just that he doesn't have a God who is just. He doesn't have a God who is just. He doesn't have a God who is just. He doesn't have a God who is just. He doesn't have a God who is just. He doesn't have and is so concerned with sin, we'll see in this gospel, that he takes it so seriously that he sends Jesus to become a sin sacrifice for us." [01:10:35] (15 seconds)


"When you look out in the world at all the evil that occurs, maybe you look at your own life, and you've experienced evil. you've experienced abuse you've experienced significant things in your life do you know where peace will be found in this it won't be found by saying well time heals all wounds that's a lie it doesn't deep wounds are not merely healed by time it's what happens in the midst of that time and you still need justice in those wounds you know where you can find peace in the midst of evil that happens in the world or to you it's because God will hold all evil accountable all of evil will be dealt with not a single action motive known or unknown is not left without God's final judgment it's either dealt with on the cross of Jesus Christ I'll be dealt with him in the cross of Jesus Christ I'll be dealt with him in the cross of Jesus Christ I'll be dealt with him in the cross of Jesus Christ I'll be dealt with him in the final return and if that is true there is no need for me to worry that all the final return and if that is true there is no need for me to worry that all the evil that occurs in this world or it occurs to me in my life will be dealt with because God will make it all just either on the cross or in his return and because I believe that not only gives me peace it also empowers forgiveness how can we forgive people when they've harmed us severely because we believe that this God who is over this individual who's harmed you will make all things right in that person's life and so I don't need to hold it against them I don't need to take vengeance I don't need to because I can never take out enough vengeance God will make it perfectly right" [01:13:15] (114 seconds)


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Transcript
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