Matthew 1: Meet the Messiah’s Family

By Bishop Emeritus Gerald E. Bates

This passage of Scripture from Matthew, disciple of Jesus, introduces us to the history leading to the birth of Jesus to Mary and His title “Messiah,” the long-awaited One. It is an appropriate lead-in to the Advent season, which we may call Christmas.

At a first reading, these introductory verses of the Gospel of Matthew can be intimidating. Here in a genealogy of Jesus are three groups of 14 names each, many of them a challenge to pronounce, yet this passage contains packages of meaning organized and recorded by the historian craftsman Matthew, one of Jesus’ disciples, a converted tax collector (dare I say an agent of the IRS). The first group of 14 names emphasizes that Jesus is a descendent of David, Israel’s greatest king. The second group of 14 leads to the great historical tragedy, Israel’s deportation to Babylon. The third leads to the birth of Jesus, the Messiah.

In reading this portion of Scripture, we must not lose sight of Matthew’s overarching passion to present Jesus as the Messiah. All is directed toward presenting the promised One from God.

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“Matthew does not hide the fact that God can transcend nationalities and awful sins.”

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Remarkable Women

In the genealogy are some remarkable figures: Rahab, the harlot of Jericho; Ruth, a non-Jew (a Moabitess); Tamar, a seducer; and Bathsheba, the woman stolen from her husband Uriah by King David’s incredible cruelty and sin. Matthew does not hide the fact that God can transcend nationalities (Ruth) and awful sins.

God, we find, in achieving His purposes, can simply ignore barriers (against giving dignity to women and non-Jews or, as we shall learn later, distinguishing between dry self-satisfied orthodoxy and true righteousness) — all in achieving His purposes.

Joseph and Mary

I want to look at two outstanding individuals at the end of the roll of names: Joseph and Mary:

First, Joseph, the father in the household where Jesus grew up and to whom God sent His angel on three occasions in Joseph’s dreams with messages and instructions. How many people do I know to whom God has sent three very specific messages by an angel?

And then Mary. Martin Luther believed Mary should be held in highest reverence. In this regard, he advocated using the first part of the Hail Mary, which is “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus” — all true and all appropriate.

So, in the midst of all the mushy sentimentality of the Christmas season, it is my hope that we can join with Matthew in maintaining a serious focus on the marvelous act of God in sending His Son to save sinners and initiate the kingdom of God among us and in our world.

Questions for Reflection:

1. What barriers has God broken down in your life in order to achieve His purposes?
2. Joseph and Mary both received an angelic message. How does God reveal Himself in your life?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for breaking down barriers to accomplish Your purposes in our lives. Help us to receive with open minds and open hearts Your message to us, as we prepare for Your Promised One. In the name of Your Son Jesus we pray, amen.

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