Matthew 1:1 "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham."
Some people love to trace their family heritage. They enjoy seeing how far into the past they can find their ancestors. My immediate forebears were McGrady, McPeak, McCraw, and Hill. As you can probably tell, I am heavy on the Scottish, Irish, and Welch influence, and I can trace family lines back into the 1600’s. In the case of my maternal Grandfather Hill, the records I have found go back even earlier to the 700’s.
My Grandfather Hill would have gotten quite a thrill to learn that one of his ancestors in the 700’s was a king. I am sure that it was not a large kingdom nor notable on a grand scale. It is what I would term a “fun fact.” However, that knowledge is not going to fundamentally change my life or yours.
When the book of Matthew begins with the “generation” of Jesus Christ, he is not giving an all-encompassing look into Jesus’s ancestry. The use of the word generation here is not about generational lineage as we understand it. Rather, it is about the promise of our Redeemer. It begins with Abraham because it was to Abraham that God promised, “in thy seed shall all nations of the earth be blessed (Genesis 22:18).”
Throughout the Gospel as recorded by Matthew, we are going to see how that Jesus fulfilled all the law and prophets. He has always been a life-changing Saviour. While we may begin to see Him more clearly with God’s promise to Abraham, let us never forget that He was in the beginning with God and that He was God (John 1:1-2). This is the truth of His generation, His coming in the flesh as our Kinsman Redeemer.
Beloved of the LORD, let us consider His generation today. Take time to think about how He has manifested Himself to you. Consider that His coming was in accordance with the will and purpose of God our Father. Know that He has done, and still does, all things well!