Since our preaching series at Littleton, called “Follow,” is drawn from Matthew, I would like to continue some posts on this Gospel.

A central question for Matthew, and one he begins to answer from his first words, is “Who is Jesus?” Here is his first sentence:

This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham… (Matthew 1:1, NIV)

This is also a very brief summary of the rich genealogy, that has some striking surprises. But the first sentence is Matthew’s main point; Jesus is the King, Messiah! Many English translations say “Christ.” That’s not a wrong translation, but it’s not, in my current view, the best. Sadly, for many, “Christ” has become Jesus’ last name, and the significance of this title is lost. Even for those who know that Christ is a title (Jesus the Christ), its Jewishness is lost. “Christ,” means “Anointed One,” and that is used for the promised King who would bring deliverance—the Messiah.

Matthew’s genealogy stresses Jesus’ Jewish credentials. The lineage, beginning with Abraham, passes on from Judah (through Tamar), from Boaz (through Ruth), significantly from King David (through Bathsheba), and ultimately to Mary, Joseph being Jesus’ legal father.

Matthew’s stylized genealogy (three lists of fourteen generations) ends with, “Jesus, who is called the Messiah (Matthew 1:16).” Then in the very next verse (1:17), repeats the title, “The Messiah.” We should get it, but to really get it, we need to grasp just how in this title the hopes of Israel for deliverance were placed. Matthew will detail how Messiah Jesus would reinterpret Israel’s hopes, but that’s for another post.

Tim Kelley