July 14, 2016
WE ARE FAMILY
Luke 3:23–38
Caroline Coffee
Central Truth
No matter where you come from or what your lineage, you have a place in the family of God if you have declared Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10). He is your unchanging Heavenly Father, and He loves you perfectly.
Key Verse | Luke 3:38
[T]he son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God. (Luke 3:38)
Luke 3:23–38
The Genealogy of Jesus Christ
23 Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, 27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, 1 3:27 Greek Salathiel the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, 29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon, 33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, 36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, 38 the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
Dive Deeper | Luke 3:23–38
The genealogy of Jesus Christ is one of my favorite passages in all of Scripture. Really. After studying the Old Testament more in-depth, I realized the awe-inspiring nature of the genealogy. The list of names comes to life when you realize these were real people with real stories. Scripture tells us "the word of God is living and active" (Hebrews 4:12); therefore, it is able to enlighten and teach us at any time—even through a genealogy.
Luke doesn't tell us that Jesus was born out of a line of perfect people. If anything, Jesus' family tree is quite the opposite. Take David for example. He ordered another man's wife to be brought to him, because he desired her for himself, and then he had that woman's husband killed (2 Samuel 11). Or look at Jacob. He disguised himself as his brother Esau and lied to their father Isaac so that he could receive the coveted blessing (Genesis 27). Jesus' descendants are not the picture of "having it all together," yet the Father's plan to deliver His Son to earth is carried out despite the brokenness of man.
The most important thing about this passage, however, is not the sinful men listed in it, but rather the conclusion. It ends with Jesus being identified as "the son of God" (Luke 3:38).
"That the genealogy is recorded at all shows Him to be a real man, not a demi-god like those in Greek and Roman mythology. That it goes back to David points to an essential element in His messianic qualifications. That it goes back to Adam brings out His kinship not only with Israel but with the whole human race. That it goes back to God relates Him to the Creator of all. He was the Son of God." (T. Constable, Notes on Luke, at Luke 3:23-38, at 64, quoting L. Morris, The Gospel According to St. Luke at 101 (www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/pdf/luke.pdf).)
We, too, are sons and daughters of the King of the universe (2 Corinthians 6:18). So no matter what your family background is, your roots are in the eternal and glorious family of God if you have accepted Christ as your Savior. Revel in this wonder today!
Discussion Questions
1. What are some hurts or hang-ups you have about your family from when you were growing up? Do you have any unresolved conflicts with them?
2. Was the list of names from the Old Testament quite unfamiliar to you? Take some time this week to go back and learn about some of the men listed.
3. Do you believe you are a child of God and nothing can ever take that away from you? Why or why not?