Skeletons In God’s Closet

Matthew 1:1-17

Every year when we begin the process of reading the Bible through most of us can hardly wait until we reach the sections of scripture that are filled with genealogical records. We find these passages to be the highlight of our reading and yearn for more opportunities to pronounce names that no one else can say. Of course, I hope you can tell that I’m being a bit facetious!

When I was a younger Christian, I was challenged to read the Bible through in a year. At the end of that year our pastor asked the question, “How many of you read the ENTIRE Bible in the past twelve months?” I raised my hand, though I did so with some measure of trepidation. You see, I had read every part of the Bible except for some of the genealogies, which I only scanned rather quickly. Consequently, I felt like I hadn’t really read the ENTIRE Bible through that year.

Let me help those of you that have read the Bible through over the past year, but didn’t read all of the names in the genealogies...God is not mad at you and there is no reason for you to feel guilty. It’s OK if you only scanned the names and moved on to the narrative sections of the text.

Having said that, don’t allow yourself to think that those names have no significance at all because they actually serve some very specific purposes in scripture. For instance…

1. To the Jewish people it was important to be able to trace their heritage back to a specific tribe of Israel, thus, proving their Jewish heritage as descendants of Abraham.
2. The genealogies were also important to establish legal rights and privileges that were provided to the descendants of a family.
3. They were used, as well, to identify who qualified for certain religious duties such as the Levitical and priestly service at the Temple (cf. Ezra 2:61-62).
4. They demonstrated the reliability of the Bible because they substantiate that the individuals included actually existed and the Bible is not a book of fairy tales.
5. Each individual's importance to God is demonstrated in the genealogies and shows that He cares about them (cf. Matthew 10:27-31; Psalm 139).
6. They occasionally provided additional narrative insights for that specific period in history (cf. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10).
7. They confirm prophecy, showing that the Messiah came through the line of David just as it had been predicted centuries before His birth.

Two of the Gospels have genealogies that are used to trace the lineage of Jesus back to Abraham and even to Adam. These genealogies are vitally important because they demonstrate that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the OT and had the right to be King of Israel.

There are some interesting facts about the two Gospel genealogies of Jesus. For instance, while Matthew (1:1-16) and Luke’s (3:23-38) genealogies have a few similarities, they also have significant differences in their lists of descendants. The most straightforward answer to the reason for these differences is that Matthew was tracing Jesus’ legal claim to the throne of Israel through Joseph (though He was not his “physical” son), while Luke was tracing Jesus’ lineage through Mary as the actual (“physical”) son of David. Because there was no Greek word for “son-in-law,” Joseph would have been considered the “son” (Luke 3:23) of Heli because he married his daughter Mary. Though in Jewish reckoning it was unusual to trace a lineage through the mother’s side of the family, it is not that unusual in light of the virgin birth itself. Matthew is equally careful not to identify Jesus as the “physical” son of David by using the feminine singular pronoun (“of whom” - 1:16) instead of the masculine singular pronoun. In other words, even though the lineage in Matthew is that of Joseph, Jesus was not His biological Son. And, Matthew seeks to make that abundantly clear! Consequently, both of these genealogies demonstrate that Jesus is the descendant of David (legal and actual) and the rightful Heir to his throne.

Another interesting detail about Jesus’ genealogy is that Matthew divides his listing into three segments of fourteen generations each. He was not intending to list every generation in the genealogy that existed between these three time periods: Abraham to David (2-6), David to the Exile (6-11) and the Exile to Jesus (12-16). Matthew was using a common method of the day of highlighting certain persons and placing them in an arrangement that was more easily memorized. It is likely that he chose fourteen as the number for his genealogical divisions because the number associated with the Hebrew consonants in David’s name equals fourteen (this is called gematria). This was another memorization aid, as well as a means of Matthew further emphasizing that Jesus had the right to sit on David’s throne as Ruler of His people.

As to why the last generation (Exile to Jesus) listed by Matthew only has thirteen names (instead of fourteen), various answers have been offered by scholars. One of the solutions is to assume that since Jesus had to be of the lineage of David, His name should be counted  both times it is used in the list.

William Hendriksen suggests that it is Jeconiah’s name that should be counted twice. He states, “...a little study of what Scripture tells us about Jechoniah soon reveals that two sharply contrasting pictures of this king’s experiences are drawn. All is dark in 2 Kings 24:8–12, as has been indicated. The curse of childlessness is pronounced upon Jechoniah (Jer. 22:30). But in his imprisonment matters take a turn for the better: Jechoniah, the exile, has children, in one of whom the Messianic line is continued (1 Chron. 3:17, 18). By rereading Jer. 22:30 we now begin to understand that the childlessness predicted with reference to the young king meant no more than this, that none of his offspring would occupy David’s earthly throne. Now this favorable change between Jechoniah before his deportation and afterward is in and by itself probably sufficient to justify the fact that he is counted twice. If more is needed, consider also 2 Kings 25:27–30. Cf. Jer. 52:31–34. Jechoniah is freed from prison, is treated kindly at the court of Evil-merodach, king of Babylon, at whose table he dines regularly, and is given a continual allowance. He even receives ‘a seat above the seats of the kings that were with him in Babylon.’ A sharper contrast is hardly imaginable. Matthew knew all this, of course. Throughout his Gospel he is constantly proving that he is well acquainted with his sources. Is it not natural to suppose, therefore, that it was because of these two sharply contrasting pictures that Matthew counts Jechoniah twice?” (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew (Vol. 9, pp. 125–126). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.)

For me, the simpler explanation that best fits the context is one that is given by D.A. Carson. He says, “...perhaps it will suggest to some readers that just as God cuts short the time of distress for the sake of his elect (24:22), so also he mercifully shortens the period from the Exile to Jesus the Messiah.” (Carson, D. A. (1984). Matthew. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke (Vol. 8, p. 69). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)

Again, let’s not forget that the primary purpose of Jesus’ genealogy is to give proof of His ancestry and show His right to rule Israel. It is not necessary to list every individual that could be included in a list of this nature. It is only necessary to give the family connections that establish His relationship to Abraham and David. Dr. Darrell Bock says, “By modern standards, Matthew’s linear genealogy is artificial because it is not exhaustive...But it is not that Matthew has erred, since he did not intend to work exhaustively and precisely. The fact that David is the fourteenth name in the genealogy, along with the symbolic significance of fourteen as the numerical value of David’s name, explains the artificiality of the genealogy.” (Turner, D., & Bock, D. L. (2005). Cornerstone biblical commentary, Vol 11: Matthew and Mark (p. 36). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.”

Another interesting detail about Matthew’s genealogy is that he includes the names of four women in his list, in addition to that of Mary’s name. The mention of a mother’s name alongside a father’s is not without precedent in the Old Testament (1 Chronicles 1:32; 2:17-21, 24, 26). However, what makes these four names stand out are the details we know about them.

• Tamar slept with her father-in-law (1:3; cf. Genesis 38).
• Rahab was a prostitute (1:5; cf. Joshua 1-6; 6:17; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25).
• Ruth descended from an incestuous relationship (1:5; cf. Genesis 19:30-38; Ruth 1-4).
• Bathsheba committed adultery with King David (1:6; 2 Samuel 11).

By including them in this record, Matthew would have certainly gotten the attention of his readers and was painting a vivid backdrop for his declaration of Christ’s purpose in coming.

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins [emphasis mine]. (Matthew 1:21)

These four mothers, in addition to the other individuals listed, whose lives were less than noble, are a reminder of the universal relevance and significance of Jesus’ first coming.

There are three thoughts for us to learn from the genealogy of Jesus:

1. God is sovereign and nothing can thwart His divine plan.

• God had set out to bring His Son into the world at the precise time He came in Bethlehem and nothing could stop Him.
• We can choose to cooperate with God or we can choose to stand against Him, but we will not prevent Him from accomplishing His purposes.
• We should allow God to rule, but where we stand in resistance to His rule...He will overrule.
• God’s plan is not compromised by the sinfulness of mankind, nor is He dependent on the righteousness of mankind for His plan to be accomplished.
• It’s not for us to understand all of His purposes, but it is ours to praise Him even when we don’t understand.
• God is always in control, even when it seems things are out of control.

For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another. (Psalm 75:6-7)

This decision is by the decree of the watchers, And the sentence by the word of the holy ones, In order that the living may know That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, Gives it to whomever He will, And sets over it the lowest of men. (Daniel 4:17)

In the genealogy of Jesus we find adulterers, harlots, heroes, and Gentiles. Wicked Rehoboam was the father of wicked Abijah, who was the father of good King Asa. Asa was the father of the good King Jehoshaphat (v. 8), who was the father of wicked King Joram. What these genealogies show us is that God can use anyone—even the marginalized and destitute—to fulfill His purposes.

2. God uses the weak things of this world to do some of His mightiest work.

• Some of those in the genealogy of Jesus were used, though they possessed no special skills or notoriety themselves.
• Mary and Joseph were two Jewish peasants (though they were righteous individuals) that were chosen for the task of caring for the Christ Child.
• Jesus was born into relative poverty as a tiny baby without any fanfare or notoriety to be the Savior of the world.
• God lifted some of those considered to be the lowest in society and destitute to become a part of the lineage of Jesus.
• Why? Because the foolishness of God is greater than the wisdom of man!

So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. (1 Corinthians 1:2-29)

3. God can save anyone and turn his/her life into something good for His glory.

Especially from the genealogy in Matthew, we learn that there is room in God’s family for anyone that experiences His life-changing grace.

• There is room for men and women.
• There is room for the rich and the poor.
• There is room for the young and the old.
• There is room for the moral and the immoral.
• There is room for the Jew and the Gentile.
• There is room for liars and truth-tellers.
• There is room for the religious and the irreligious.
• There is room for criminals and their victims.

Matthew is a perfect example of this truth. He was an extortioner who met Jesus and became a pastor and author of the Gospel of Matthew.

God can make something out of nothing, no matter what skeletons you have in YOUR closet!

Savior of the World

Luke 2:8-14

Probably every child/teen has read the story of Romeo and Juliet in one of his/her literature classes in school. It’s a moving love story written by William Shakespeare that ends tragically because of the hatred two families had for each other.

In Shakespeare’s play, Juliet has a famous quote that long after graduation many of us can still recite even though we might have forgotten most of the other details. Knowing that Romeo was hated by her own family because he was the son of a rival clan, Juliet says, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." In essence, she says that Romeo’s name is not what is important to her because she is moved by his person...not his family heritage. This one short line encapsulates the central struggle and tragedy of the whole play.

Though it may be in some cases that a name has little meaning, just try telling that to the mother and father of their newborn child. For weeks and months they pour over various names, trying to pick out just the right one that catches the very essence of their family and who they want their child to be as he/she grows up. They so desire that the newly chosen identity will somehow communicate to their son/daughter the love and passion they share for him/her as he/she grows into adulthood. That specially chosen name may well reflect something about their family heritage, as well as their dreams and aspirations for the future of their precious child.

And, as important as names are to the parents of a newborn child, just consider that they were even more significant to those living in ancient times. The scripture reveals that names were carefully chosen to reflect family lineage and/or events occurring at given times in Israel's history. Children’s names usually implied the dreams and ambitions held by their parents for their children. They could also reflect the tragedies or blessings that were experienced at that moment in time. Names were so significant that God even changed some people’s names to illustrate life-altering events and/or encounters with Him.

So, in the words of Juliet, “What’s in a name?” Well, let’s agree together that at least when it comes to the baby Jesus...EVERYTHING! Long before He entered this world through the womb of Mary, the prophet Isaiah told us what He would be called. Listen to His prophecy...

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

It’s impossible to miss the exalted names given to Christ 700 years before He arrived in Bethlehem. Every one of them overflows with the exquisiteness of the character, person and exalted position Jesus possesses throughout all eternity. It’s also important to pay careful attention to the combining of His two natures into a single person in this passage. First, Isaiah says, “a Child is born,” reflecting His humanity received through the virgin womb of Mary. However, He is more than just a man born of a woman. He is also “a Son” that “is given”...not “born.” His humanity was received in time and space when He came to us in Bethlehem. His SONSHIP is His from eternity past to eternity future as the One Who is co-equal with the Father and Holy Spirit! This slight change in designation in Isaiah’s “name-dropping” prophecy is significant because it speaks to the unique union of man and God in the sole (the only one of His kind) person of Jesus Christ.

This same prophet (Isaiah) spoke eloquently elsewhere about Jesus’ name and further highlighted His divine nature. He said…

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

When the angel appeared to Joseph to console him with the knowledge that the child in Mary’s womb was because of the miracle work of God, not the unfaithfulness of His betrothed wife, He linked this prophecy specifically to Jesus (Isaiah 7:14; cf. Matthew 1:23)! Make no mistake about it...the One that visited Bethlehem as a baby was none other than “Immanuel,” meaning “God with us!”

There are two other occasions when the name of the One whose birth we celebrate was given by angels making special appearances in the first century. One was to Mary when Gabriel told her she was to be the mother of the Christ-child. In addition to His name being “Jesus” (Luke 1:31), He is also called, “the Son of the Highest…” (1:32). And to Joseph an angel appeared to announce that the child his beloved Mary was carrying was the work of divine conception and to call His name “Jesus” (Matthew 1:21).

All of this shows that at least when it comes to the One that was born in Bethlehem...NAMES MATTER!

In our immediate text (Luke 2:8-14), Luke records three names that were ascribed to Jesus and announced by an angel to the shepherds as they tended their flocks one night. Listen to the pronouncement of the names by which Mary’s Child would be known...

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11)

This is the only time in the New Testament where these three names are used simultaneously in reference to Christ. Each is used separately or in couplets about Him, but never in this precise three-fold manner. Since this specific verse is such a central passage so often quoted at Christmas, let’s consider each of these names for a moment.

“Christ”

This is the English form of the Greek word, Christos and is the equivalent of the Hebrew word Messiah...meaning, “the anointed one” or “the chosen one.” When people in the OT were selected for the function of prophet, priest, or king, they were anointed with oil to show they were set apart for their special mission. In essence, they were the “anointed ones.”

The people of Israel had long been told that the divinely “anointed One” was going to come as their chosen deliverer to rule over them and establish His Kingdom on earth (Isaiah 42:1; 61:1-3: cf. Luke 4:17–21; John 4:25–26). They understood that their Messiah was going to throw off the oppression of anyone that enslaved the Jewish people and set them free from their bondage to possess the land God had given them. And, repeatedly in the NT, Jesus is spoken of as this Jewish Messiah (anointed One).

The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” (John 4:25-26)

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. (John 20:30-31)

Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16)

In Bethlehem, Jesus came the first time to deliver His people “spiritually” (i.e., to redeem them from their sins), setting them free from the oppression of Satan and sin. The second time He comes He will establish His Kingdom and deliver His people from all physical oppression against them.

Actually, the name “Christ” is a title (Acts 5:42; 17:3) that became part of Jesus’ name...Jesus Christ! It identifies His royal, Messianic position as the One that will ultimately sit on David’s throne and rule the nations of the earth. The name “Christ” has GREAT Jewish significance!

“Lord”

The angel also announced to the shepherds that the name of the One they would find “lying in a manger” would be called “the Lord.” This is a key Christological term and Luke develops the meaning of the term throughout His Gospel and Acts (cf. Luke 20:41-44; Acts 2:30-36). At this moment in the text (as a baby “lying in a manger” in Bethlehem), it’s hard to conceive of how He could be seen as the “the Lord” (i.e., Ruler), except that the angels knew Him before He came to earth as a baby. Consequently, they already knew His divine identity as “King of kings and Lord of Lords” (cf. Revelation 19:16) and were preparing the shepherds (and us...by way of them) for what Luke would demonstrate in His writings.

The term “Lord” means “master” and it speaks of the absolute sovereignty of Christ, as well as His divine relationship with His Father (His Father is called Lord in...Luke 1:16, 46, 68, 76). In other words, Jesus is the Messiah, but He is so much more than just “A” Messiah...He is the SOVEREIGN Messiah! “Lord” speaks of Him as the Ruler Who is destined to sit at the right hand of the Father after His resurrection in order to distribute the benefits of eternal salvation that He will secure through His death on Calvary. It is the title of the One before Whom every person will one day bow and confess that He is...the LORD Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5-11). This is also the covenant name for God and is a title showing His deity!

Our statement concerning the mission for our church is, “To present Christ as Savior...to pursue Christ as Lord.” Jesus wants to be both our Savior and our Lord!

“Savior”

The last name given to Him and announced to the shepherds is that of “Savior.” To grasp the meaning of this special name, it was sometimes used in the OT to refer to those that saved others from physical danger or harm (Judges 3:9, 15; 12:3; Nehemiah 9:27; 2 Kings 13:5). More often it was used of God Himself as He rescued His people from various kinds of perils, destruction and/or disease (ex. Deuteronomy 20:4; Joshua 22:22; Psalm 24:5; 25:5; Isaiah 25:9).

To further illustrate this meaning, the verb “saved” is also used in the NT to speak of deliverance from physical danger (Matthew 8:25), disease (Matthew 9:21-22), and death (Matthew 24:22).

There are only two occasions when Jesus is specifically called “Savior”: 1. When His name is given to the shepherds (Luke 2:11). 2. When the people from Sycar came out to meet Him and ultimately received Him as their own Savior (John 4:42).

The specific use of this name emphasizes His mission on behalf of all mankind to rescue them from slavery to sin and offer them eternal life that He will make available through His sacrificial death and resurrection.

This specific name implies the need of all mankind for a “Savior.” The angel announced to the shepherds, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior…” In other words, this name is relevant because these shepherds needed a Savior, as does all of mankind. Every one of us is afflicted with the nature of sin that condemns us to separation from God.  Apart from the saving work of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are all hopelessly condemned! Thank God that Jesus, the Christ, is “Savior,” too!

Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul in describing the sordid condition of all mankind.

“...For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.

As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.” “Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of asps is under their lips”; “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood;  Destruction and misery are in their ways; And the way of peace they have not known.”  “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Romans 3:9-18)

And then he says, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

At this season of the year we need to remember that Jesus came in Bethlehem to make the offer of total forgiveness available to all mankind!

And, where do we find that forgiveness...in the name of Jesus!

...for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

Conclusion:

I hope you agree with me...names are important, especially when it comes to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior!

Just to illustrate the importance of Christ’s name, in the book of Acts the early disciples were...

• ...saved by His name (Acts 4:12...see reference above).
• ...baptized in His name (Acts 2:38).

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

• ...healed in His name (Acts 3:6).

Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

• ...speaking in His name (Acts 5:40).

And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

• ...suffering in His name (Acts 5:41).

So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.

• ...dying for His name (Acts 21:13).

Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

When you call someone by his/her name, it indicates that you know that individual and that he/she knows you. There's a connection that happens when you call someone by his/her name...and Jesus' names are the most important names of all.

He is...the LORD JESUS CHRIST...OUR SAVIOR!

Take the Name of Jesus with you,

Child of sorrow and of woe,

It will joy and comfort give you;

Take it then, where’er you go.

At the Name of Jesus bowing,

Falling prostrate at His feet,

King of kings in Heav’n we’ll crown Him,

When our journey is complete.

Refrain

Precious Name, O how sweet!

Hope of earth and joy of Heav’n.

Precious Name, O how sweet!

Hope of earth and joy of Heav’n.