R. C. Sproul on the Genealogy of Jesus

At first glance the beginning of Matthew is a less than exciting literary starting point of the New Testament.  It is a list of "begats" tracing Jesus' line back to Abraham.

What this beginning lacks in literary punch it makes up in theological significance. Among other things the genealogical tables of the New Testament place the Gospel squarely on the plane of history.  Jesus was born "in the fullness of time" - His ministry is defined and interpreted against the background of Old Testament history.

The new Testament provides two genealogical tables for Jesus, one by Matthew and one by Luke.  These tables differ form each other at significant points.  Matthew was writing for a Jewish audience and Luke for a Gentile audience.  Matthew was concerned to show that Jesus legally descended from David and was therefore a descendant of Judah to whom the messianic kingship was promised.  Matthew treats the legal descent of Jesus and limits the lists to three groupings of fourteen generations, allowing himself to make omissions.

Luke follows the natural descent with greater detail.  He takes the list back to Adam as it was a central theme in his gospel to set forth the universality of the Gospel.  Jesus is indeed the Son of Abraham and the Son of David, but He is also the new Adam who comes to redeem not only Israel but men and women from every tribe and nation.

Who is Jesus to you personally?

Matthew 1:16;  And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom ws born Jesus who is called Christ.

Galatians 4:4:  But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law.

Ephesians 1:10:  ...that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth - in Him.