Fr. Sanctus Mario
Inspiration and Bible Reflections

The Wisdom of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ:17th December

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Breakfast with the Word 17th December

 

Matthew 1:1-17

 

 

 

The genealogy of Jesus Christ in today’s gospel is one of those chapters in the bible that may keep one wondering what he can actually learn from a narrative list like that of Matthew today. But the genealogy helps us to answer the question, “Who is Jesus and where did he come from?”

 

The gospel of Matthew, in essence, is to prove the messianic prophecies which have come to fulfilment in Jesus. One of the ways the book does this is by recounting Jesus’s Genealogy.

 

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Jesus has a History. He is not An Imagination

Like every other human being, the genealogy implies that Jesus has a history. He comes from a lineage.

 

The Old Testament predicted that the Messiah would come from the line of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16, Isaiah 11:1). Both Matthew and Luke provide genealogies of Jesus that confirm he was a descendant of David, therefore, a legitimate Messiah.

 

Matthew begins with Abraham and follows the line of David’s son Solomon and ends with Joseph, while Luke begins with Joseph and follows the line of Nathan, another Son of David then to Adam.

 

This created a little controversy. Some argued that they created this genealogy to provide Jesus with a legitimate ancestry with Davidic lineage. But the genealogy reveals that Jesus was never a figment of imagination nor a mental formulation.

 

He belonged to history like any of us. And if Jesus belonged to history, it means there was a time He came, and if there was a time He came, how he came, died, resurrected, and no trace of his body can be seen anywhere on earth, are signs that Jesus is not ordinary.

 

He is the Messiah to come.

 

 

The genealogy in Matthew  1:1f is traced through Joseph, Jesus’ legal (though not natural) father, and it establishes His claim and right to the throne of David (Matthew 1: 6) which hence fulfils that

 

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He is the fulfilment of the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah. Some argued that the genealogy in Luke 3:23-38 is evidently that of Mary, though some believe it is also Joseph’s, by assuming that Matthan (Matthew 1:15) and Matthat (Luke 3:24) were the same people and Jacob (Matthew 1:16) and Eli (Luke 3:23) were brothers (one being Joseph’s father and the other his uncle).

 

These notwithstanding, the truth remains that Jesus has a genealogy from Davidic lineage. The genealogy is a pointer that Jesus is truly the Messiah to come. This is why Matthew begins today’s genealogy stating categorically that Jesus is the son of David and Son of Abraham. And if Jesus has a history and yet the Messiah to come, it means Christianity is not fake as some are deceived to believe.

 

He is Divine.

 

 

The genealogy truly helps us to understand who Jesus is. Despite His humanity, or being part of our history, the genealogy also reveals that Jesus’ origin is divine. After tracing the Messianic lineage, yet towards the end, Matthew did not say Jesus was born of Joseph rather He introduces a shift.

 

Matthew ends His narrative by saying Jacob was the father of Joseph who is the husband of Mary. Instead of linking Jesus’ birth to Joseph, Matthew ends the genealogy with Mary by stating that of her was born Jesus who is called Christ.

 

 

The statement is a pointer that Joseph is not the physical father of Jesus Christ. Hence this is a reference to His divine origin and fulfilment of the Virgin’s birth.

 

God Never Fails In His Promises.

 

The wisdom of the genealogy is proof that God never goes back in His promises. It also indicates that the fulfilment of God’s promises may take time but actually, it will come as promised.

 

When God promises to do something. it must come to pass. He is God and does not have time to lie or to play on our intelligence. Despite the years or times, it may take, what God has destined must come to fulfilment.

 

 

The promise of the Messiah was fulfilled after many years. If Jesus is real and all that was spoken of Him came to fulfilment, despite the years it took, always know that God fulfils whatever He has designed for us. Why then do many live as if God is not real?  If Jesus is God and God’s promises never fail, why then do many doubt His promises?  Why do we live as if God does not fulfil His words and has abandoned us? Losing faith in God should never be an option. It is better to hang your faith there and work towards God’s promises than losing faith totally.   Oge Chukwu ka mma ( God’s time is the best).

 

Everything is By His Grace.

 

 

Another interesting fact about Matthew’s genealogy is the inclusion of four Old Testament women: Tamar, Rahab,  Ruth, and  Bathsheba (Uriah’s wife).

 

From our human point of view,  these women are questionable in some way to appear in the Messianic lineage.  Therefore, the genealogy is a pointer that God looks beyond what we see.

 

The people we underrate today, maybe the people God will use tomorrow. So never lose hope in life because of your past, rather make a change and move forward.

 

Tamar and Rahab were prostitutes (Gen. 38:24; Josh. 2:1), Ruth was a foreigner, a Moabitess (Ruth 1:4), and Bathsheba committed adultery (2 Sam. 11:2-5). The lesson is that God can still make use of anyone. Everything is by His grace. Always pray for His grace every day.

 

After listing the names of these imperfect women, Matthew also inserts the name of Mary. In the Jewish culture, they do not count women. Therefore, the inclusion of these imperfect women which ends with Mary has a message for us.

 

 

One can say that Only the Blessed Virgin Mary is different from all of the women listed in the genealogy, because she was noted to live a holy and virtuous life. She gave birth to Jesus.

 

The wisdom of the genealogy here points that human history has imperfections but always perfected by God.

 

Therefore, just like the genealogy or the journey of messiah-ship, the journey of our salvation can have a history of many imperfection.

 

At last, only through Jesus can we have perfections. As we struggle towards our salvation, there may be series of mistakes, but do not give up.

 

Our journey is a journey of imperfections to perfection at last. The coming of Jesus is make all things perfect.  He makes all things well. Even when you are undergoing crisis, always cling on to Jesus, He makes all things well. Everything is by His grace.

 

 

 

May God be with us today and may His promises in your life come to fulfillment despite whatever you are passing through. Amen

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68 Comments
  1. Rosemary Umeze says

    Amen. Thank you Padré

  2. Chioma Frances Egwuogu says

    Amen

  3. Emeka Iwuaba says

    Quite revealing. Thanks for sharing
    Amb. Iwuaba

  4. Mrs Nora Nkoli Anabiri says

    Amennnnnnn, thanks Padre

  5. Regina Mobu says

    Amen!

  6. Onuora Judith says

    Amen and Amen

  7. Chisom Egwudike says

    Amen

    1. Josephine Ugwu says

      Amen.

  8. Ogwa Oluchi Rose says

    Amen

  9. Ekwem Emmanuela Chiamaka says

    Amen and Amen

  10. Mbama Christiana says

    Thank you padre for a thorough explanation of today’s message. I pray for the grace of God in my daily struggles. Amen

  11. Munachimso onuoha says

    Amen!!!! I need your grace everyday lord

  12. Golu Chetachukwu Angela says

    Amen. Thanks Padre, for this enlightenment. God bless.

  13. Mailoushi James says

    Amen

  14. Eririogu Fidelia says

    Amen.God bless you

  15. Madu chinaza lovelyn says

    I have downloaded it

  16. Mercy E Johnny says

    Amen, Lord Jesus, may ur grace perfect all my imperfections. Amen

  17. Helen says

    Amen! Thank you Padre 🙏

  18. Thecla Ifeoma says

    God, may I always by your grace, in Jesus name I pray 🙏

  19. Mailoushi James says

    Amen, remain blessed Fr. Good morning

  20. Eririogu Fidelia says

    Amen.Thanks father

  21. Uchechukwu Egbo says

    Amen 🙏🙏🙏 and God’s grace be sufficient for me that I will not loss hope at the adge of my miracles 🙏 . God bless you Fr and keep you safe always in JESUS NAME AMEN.

  22. Obinna says

    Amen
    Thank you Fr.

  23. Onyekonwu Ngozi says

    Amen! Thank you Jesus.

  24. Okonkwo onyinye says

    AMEN

  25. Chizoba Ekwueme says

    Amen and Amen!!

    Thank you Fr. for this morning charge. May the good Lord perfect all that concerns us In Jesus Name, Amen!

  26. Blessing Salifu says

    Amen 🙏🙏🙏

  27. Beatrice Kelechi says

    Amen!!!
    Oh, Jesus Christ perfect my imperfections on the road to salvation 🙏

  28. Onyeoma Ukamaka says

    Amen

  29. Agina Uchenna says

    Amen

  30. Mariajacinta Ivoke says

    Amen

  31. Ighekpe Agbodesi Winifred says

    Amen

  32. MaryJane Okanume says

    Thank you Father. This passage has never made sense to me like this. I pray for grace to read and understand the word of God. More grace and knowledge for you on Jesus name Amen

  33. Dr Nick Onyia says

    For sufficient grace to always do your will, no matter the situation, I pray, Oh Lord, amen🙏 Remain richly blessed, fr.

  34. Ehon Marry says

    Thank you my padre

  35. Dr Nick Onyia says

    For sufficient grace to always do your will, no matter the situation, I pray,Oh Lord, amen 🙏 Remain richly blessed, fr.

  36. Oby Okpalaeke says

    Amen 🙏

  37. Eze Juliana Nkechi says

    Amen

  38. Dr Nick Onyia says

    For sufficient grace to always do your will, no matter the situation, I pray Oh Lord, amen 🙏 Remain richly blessed, fr.

  39. Onuoha Adeline Chidimma says

    Amen and Amen

  40. John says

    Amen

  41. Chidimma Igwe says

    Amen

  42. Nwatu Nneka P says

    Amen. Odiegwu really.
    It’s as you said it OGECHUKWU KA MMA. The only thing I don’t understand is when you wait and wait and some even die still waiting.
    Conclusion is EVEN IN DEATH HE IS WORTH WAITING FOR.
    I pray I see and witness HIS GOODNESS AND PROMISE’S IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING.
    AMEN

  43. Grace Yina says

    Amen

  44. Udemezue Martina Mary says

    Amen

  45. Regina Mobu says

    Amen

  46. Angela Ekere says

    Amen

  47. Chisom Egwudike says

    Amen and Amen!

  48. Udeh Jane frances Chiamaka says

    Amen

  49. Christian says

    Amen

  50. Godwin Odah says

    Amen 👏.
    The grace to remain faithful till the end I ask of you oh Lord my God.

  51. Anyanwu Francisca says

    Please Father, I don’t really understand. Answer this question for me.
    Was Christ living in heaven before He was sent to earth in human form?

    1. Sanctus Mario says

      yes

      1. Anyanwu Francisca says

        Thanks

  52. Anidiobi Sylvia Ngozi says

    Amen

  53. Boitumelo says

    🙏

  54. Yolanda Malebatsane says

    Amen

  55. Ani Chinonyelum Emmanuella says

    Amen, thanks Padre

  56. Dorothy Mary Iyinbor says

    Amen thanks Padre God bless you 🙏

  57. Carmela U. E. says

    Amen! Thanks and God bless you Fr.

  58. Goodluck Ekeocha says

    Thank you fr. for a heart warming homily. More wisdom and grace.

  59. Ugwu Josephine Nnenna. says

    Amen. God bless you Padre.

  60. Abuah Judith says

    Amen …. Thanks fr

  61. Bibiana Uche Unachukwu and family says

    Amen 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

  62. Enibe Jacinta Amara says

    Amen

  63. Michael Uzoechiena says

    Amen Padre and God’s Divine wisdom and strength.

  64. Nnametu chioma Michelle says

    Amen
    Compliment of the season!.

  65. Okeke Juliet Nneka says

    Amen 🙏.

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