Bible Reading: Matthew 1
Matthew 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Matthew’s gospel begins with a genealogy of the husband of Mary – Joseph. The very first line however tells us that Jesus is the son of David and the son of Abraham. This immediately reminds us of two covenants. The older covenant is the covenant that God made with Abraham.
Genesis 12:1-3 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
God said that through Abraham, all the families of the earth would be blessed! The New Testament tells us how God would do this:
Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
As the son of Abraham, Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant. As the son of David, Jesus is the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant. Through the prophet Nathan, God told David:
2 Samuel 7:16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
David’s descendants would sit on the throne of Judah forever. And Jesus is the rightful heir to the throne. When the angel appeared to Mary, he said:
Luke 1:30-33 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
As the son of Abraham, Jesus is the promised seed who would bless all families of the earth. As the son of David, Jesus is the king. Let’s praise him who is worthy of all praise!
In Christ,
Rody
