Jesus gets a genealogy cause he is the star of the story
Ever wondered why John the Baptist hasn't got a genealogy? His birth is recorded, why not his family tree? It is because in Luke's Gospel (as in the whole Bible) Jesus is the star of the show. Some people got really excited about John, he preached really well, he challenged people to turn back to God. But John was not the main event. His job was to prepare people for Jesus.
Jesus is a human in a fallen world
Jesus genealogy shows us that Jesus is human, he is a "son of Adam". Even though Jesus is 100% God he is also 100% human (he has two natures in himself). Dudes, this is a mystery, how it works I don't know but just because I don't know how something works doesn't mean it can't happen. Anyhow, the genealogy and the baptism is really important. It shows us that Jesus identifies with sinners like us. Even though we stuffed the world up, he enters the mess to deal with it. Jesus is like the pre-fall/sin Adam. Jesus is different to us because he is sinless, and as he is tempted by Satan in chapter 4 this will become even more clear.
The baptism is also important. In Jesus day baptism meant a fresh start. Jesus got baptised not because he needed a fresh start but to say I am here in the mess to help you guys. He identified with us. Jesus has come to give us a fresh start of forgiveness with God and each other. Do you think you need a fresh start with God? Jesus is more than willing to forgive all your sin, all you need to do is ask.
Jesus is the Son of God
The genealogy finishes by saying Jesus is the "Son of God". Usually "Son of God" is an Old Testament way of talking about the Christ (God's chosen King). When Jesus is baptised and God calls him his "Son" it is a reference to Psalm 2:7 which speaks about God's King. But in the family tree (remember words get their meaning from their context) it is referring to how Jesus is the divine creator. God the creator becomes a creature in his creation. This is an amazing thing. Have you ever stopped to consider how big a deal this? Have you ever thought about where we would be if Jesus wasn't so loving to do this?
Jesus is the Hope for All Peoples and Nations
Saying that Jesus is a "son of Adam" is also interesting for another reason. It is saying that Jesus is more than just the hope of Israel. For us this is not that big deal but in Bible times many Jews thought that the Christ was going to make Israel a superpower that beat up all the other nations. But what we see is that Jesus' message is global, it is for everyone. How can we think about sharing the Gospel with the world at Ignite?
Jesus had a Virgin Birth
Luke mentions that Joseph was Jesus' dad or "so it was thought". Luke again wants to remind us that Jesus was born from a virgin, in fulfilment of Isaiah 8. Don't forget most people thought Jesus was a (a naughty word) illegitimate child (same meaning I guess). He would have been looked down upon even though he wasn't. Pretty humbling to think that God would have done that for me.
Jesus has a Real Ancestry
Ancestry is not that big a deal today. But with time I think Aussies are starting to see it is important. I get my good looks from my parents as well as bad traits too. In Jesus time ancestry was really important. Jesus ancestry shows us he is a real man, with real Jewish roots. This would have been important for people in Jesus time.
What to do now
I think sometimes we can feel like Jesus is not that important because he is some guy who lived 2000 years ago. But just because Jesus, the God-man walked on earth 2000 years ago doesn't mean that it is not important now.
Stop and think for a second. What Jesus did was a big deal! This is God we are talking about coming into our sinful world to save his enemies, to save you. How did he do it, he got humiliated and he even died on a cross. It may be old news but it is still big news. This is the most important thing of all history and the most important thing that will ever happen to you.
The best part is Jesus is alive today. We can hear him speak in the Bible and we can talk to him in prayer and most importantly we know he loves us and gives us the fresh start we need! Maybe you would like to thank him in prayer right now for what he did for. Maybe you need to confess to him that you have not been treating him the right way. If this is you, you can't pull the wool over Jesus' eyes. He knows all the bad you have done, but he also wants you to know that he loves you and forgives you. So why not take hold of that forgiveness, that fresh start today?
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