DEVOTION – DAY 303

Matthew 1:15-16 “Jesus, The Messiah”

 

Matthew 1: 15-16 “Elihud, the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob. And Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.”

 

As we approach Christmas and celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus, it is good to revisit Jesus’ genealogy as recorded in Matthew 1. This genealogy traced Jesus’ roots back to Abraham. The genealogy follows the male line until it reaches Joseph. Then, in v16, once it reaches Joseph, the writer does not record Joseph as the father of Jesus. Instead, v16 records that Joseph was the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus, the Messiah.

 

This is significant for the following reasons. First, it confirms that Jesus had no blood relations with Joseph although Joseph raised him as his son. Under Jewish law, Jesus was recognized as a legal son of Joseph and a descendant of King David. Second, Jesus was born through a virgin birth by Mary. Third, the seed in Mary was planted by God through His Spirit. Fourth, Jesus is therefore the Son of God, and He is from God and is without sin. Fifth, Jesus is identified as the Messiah – the Anointed One. The One who would deliver His people. Jesus remains the only One in history who is born of a virgin. He alone fulfilled every prophecy written in the Old Testament about the Messiah. Because He is God, the Son, and He is without sin, Jesus is the only One qualified to die on the cross for the sins of mankind. Jesus is the Messiah because He delivers everyone from judgment for their sins when they repent and call on Him as their Lord and Savior. He alone can atone for our sins, past, present and future sins because He is God, the Son and He can atone for infinite sins.

 

The world seeks to deny Jesus. Muslims consider Jesus as a prophet. Some people consider Jesus as a wise man, a good man. Some people even question whether He ever existed and that He could be a myth. But Matthew was a Jew and he was writing to a Jewish audience. Matthew was careful in presenting Jesus with all His credentials because Jews took genealogies seriously. Matthew wanted to present Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s covenant to Abraham – that through his line, all nations will be blessed. Let us welcome Jesus, the Messiah, the Risen Lord, the Prince of Peace, our Mighty God, not just during Christmas but for all time. May He reign in our hearts.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for the wonderful gift of your Son, our Lord Jesus. May He reign forever and ever in our hearts. May the whole world call on Him as their Lord and Savior. We ask this in the great name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. Does Jesus reign in your heart?
  2. If you have not invited Jesus into your life as your Lord and Savior yet, what is holding you back?
  3. Jesus is waiting for you to invite Him into your life? All you have to do is to admit that you have sinned and believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and that God raised Him to life on the third day. Invite Jesus to come into your life. Are you willing to do so?
  4. How can you help someone come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior this Christmas?