Are there reasons that genealogies are important? Yes!
- Genealogies affirm historical facts (1 Chronicles 1:43)
- They can help us understand relationships between kingdoms (Genesis 19:36-38)
- They can reveal notable facts (Genesis 5:22-24)
- They confirm prophecy (Matthew 1:1)
- They remind us that God uses imperfect people (Matthew 1:5-6)
- They remind us that God cares (Genesis 25:12-16)
We find that this genealogy of Jesus is different than the one given by Matthew. A key here is the phrase “as was supposed,” which draws our attention back the the virgin birth. Some possible understandings of the genealogy are:
- Luke actually gives Mary’s genealogy
- Matthew gives the royal line, while Luke gives the line of physical descent
- Joseph had two fathers
- For example, Heli could have been Mary’s father who adopted Joseph because he didn’t have any male heirs
Luke’s genealogy also goes back to Adam, showing that Jesus is more than just the Messiah of the Jewish people. He is the Savior for all the world!
1 Corinthians 15:45 “So also it is written, ‘The first man, Adam, became a living person’; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”
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