When most of us start reading the New Testament and Matthew specifically, we skim/skip Jesus’ genealogy (a list of people from whom He descended). We see some names that ‘ring a bell’ and just conclude that Jesus came from some of those familiar names—good to know! Yet, it seems that we get more out of reading a devotional about Jesus’ interaction with people than reading a list of names.
While some people from other cultural backgrounds value the genealogy due to the significance they place on heritage, many of us don’t look much further than David’s name. We conclude and affirm that Jesus descended from kings, just like it was foretold. We conclude that what was said in the Old Testament really came to fulfillment in the New Testament. However, Jesus’ genealogy is much more, it shows us something about the character of God.
Jesus’ Genealogy
When we look at the genealogy in Matthew and carefully remember the names that are less familiar to us, something may stick out. Let’s look at a few of them.
Judah was a human trafficker, and not just of anyone—he trafficked his brother. This may have appeared like an act of mercy when we read that Joseph’s brothers initially wanted to kill him:
Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed. (Gen. 37:26-27).
However, Judah did not act out of mercy but of greed. When we see the response of Reuben (another brother of Joseph), who wanted to secretly preserve Joseph’s life, we realize that Judah could have acted very differently. Judah did not suggest to sell Joseph because of mercy, but jealousy.
Perez was Judah’s son and not much is written about him. We do, however, know the circumstances of his birth. His mother, Tamar, dressed up like a prostitute in order to ensure that Judah would honour his obligation to help her have children. Tamar did not necessarily disobey the law by doing this, after all Judah called her action righteous! Judah, in contrast to Tamar, failed to do what he was required to do by law. While much could be said about this story, it definitely reads like a strange way for God to preserve Jesus’ family tree.
Solomon was known as a great king. While King David was more popular, Solomon’s reign was known as a golden age for Israel. He had a lot of power and gained great wealth. Yet, similar to Perez, the circumstances of his birth were quite remarkable. David was a true, noble king, but not without blemish. David fathered many children, but the one that continues the bloodline to Jesus is the child born from the woman—Bathsheba—whom he coveted and slept with, and whose husband he killed out of fear. After their first child dies, another is born and is named Solomon.
It is striking that this was the union God ordained to bring forth the Messiah, especially when we realize that Solomon himself did not have a great track record. He did not obey the Lord and lusted after much wealth, power and many wives. Furthermore, his actions led God to allow the nation of Israel to be divided.
All these stories show that it was not solely the most brave and courageous that made up Jesus’ family tree. Far from it, the Messiah came from a long line of sinners: human traffickers, murderers and dishonourable people.
Our Genealogy
So why is this important for us to know? Because this means that no one is excluded from becoming part of Jesus’ family.
Furthermore, when looking at our own family trees we may realize they are not that dissimilar to Jesus’. Some of us might feel ashamed of our family background, and not all of us are feeling comfortable enough to share our complex family experiences, as we don’t know what people will think and we fear being judged.
When we think about our own family genealogy, do we ever believe that this defines us? That our ancestors’ influence is something we will forever be bound by? If so, we may want to remember that Jesus’ lineage was filled with broken people. Do we think less of Him because of His forefathers? Does it negate who He is and what He came to do?
Likely not.
While there is significant brokenness, God’s redemptive and restorative hand can be seen in the genealogy. Jesus came from a family of sinners (even Mary and Joseph were not without sin), and He associated with them by being born in this specific family tree.
So next time you get to the genealogy, take heart. This is a passage full of hope, full of pointers to the character of our Heavenly Father that redeems broken family lineages.