The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham, Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar… (Matthew 1:1-2)
These are the opening words of Matthew’s Gospel. He begins with the basics – the genealogy of Jesus.
Matthew wants to establish that Jesus is the Messiah, the long-awaited “Son of David” who would fulfill Old Testament prophecies. That’s why he works downward from Abraham, through David, to Jesus. (Luke, in his genealogy, starts with Jesus and work upward to Adam. He wants to establish that Jesus is the Son of God.)
Both Matthew and Luke drew upon popular traditions (rather than written records), and both adapted the data. They are trying to establish Jesus’ theological identity, not his DNA.
Like all of us, Jesus was part of a family. Families, every one of them, have “complications”. God can turn them into blessings.
Jesus’ family had plenty of skeletons in the closet. Probably your family is no different. They are still your family.
This is a good time of year to mend some family ties.
