‍Matthew: The New Genesis

Matthew 1

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How much do you know about your genealogy and family tree? Would anyone like to share?

Why does Matthew begin with this genealogy?

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Matthew 1:1

[1] The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

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This intro statement tells you almost everything you need to know. First, the English word “genealogy” used here… in the original Greek the word is “genesis” which means “beginning or origin”. So you could read this as “The book of genesis (or origin) of Jesus”. What do you think Matthew is trying to tell us by using the word “genesis”?

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2 Samuel 7:16

[16] And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’”

If you were an Israelite living in the first century, how would this promise encourage you? How might it disappoint you?

By referring to Jesus as the “Son of David” what is Matthew saying about Jesus?

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Genesis 12:2-3

[2] And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. [3] I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

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When God says, “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed”, what kind of “blessing” is God promising here?

So what is Matthew saying about Jesus by calling him the “Son of Abraham”?

Jesus did not come from a picture-perfect family. His family was full of scandal and questionable character. Knowing that God used this family despite their flaws, how does this encourage you today?

When we see God using people who have made lots of mistakes in life, what does that teach us about God?

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Matthew 1:18, 22-25

[18] Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.

[22] All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

[23] “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

[24] When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, [25] but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

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Here is where Matthew shows us that not only is Jesus human, he is also Immanuel, “God with us.” So here’s a tough question, but let’s think it through together: Why is it important for Jesus to be both human and divine?

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Galatians 3:13-14

[13] Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— [14] so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.