Son of Abraham

Waiting  for Light to Come | Erik Reed

THE BOOK OF THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF DAVID, THE SON OF ABRAHAM. MATTHEW 1:1 (ESV)

Man’s sin and rebellion against God could have been the permanent end of our relationship with God. God created us in the exalted status as image-bearers. Our lives display the glory and nature of God to the rest of the created world. Mankind held a place of special relationship with God. We were the apex and crown jewel of creation. It was only after creating humans that God added the descriptor “very good ” to His work.

Our sin did not have the last word. God promised that Eve’s offspring would come and bruise the head of the Serpent in victory. This didn’t stop the immediate offspring of Adam and Eve from continuing in sin. The descendants of our first parents sinned and rebelled with such wickedness that God destroys the earth, preserving only a remnant of animal life and Noah’s family (Genesis 6). Even after such judgment and wrath came upon the earth, by the time we reach Genesis 11, mankind has turned its back on God again. Following the scattering of the peoples and confusing of the languages, God calls a man by the name of Abram. God shows grace.

Genesis 12 introduces the story of Israel. God chooses a man through whom to create a nation. Abram will father a nation. God establishes a covenant with him to bless him and make him prosper. Abram, later named Abraham, will father the nation of Israel, God’s covenant people. They were to bless all nations. Their purpose and identity as a nation was to channel God’s blessing to go to the world.

In our text today, Matthew’s Gospel starts with Jesus’ genealogy and human origins. He is the son of Abraham. What does this mean? It means Jesus is not only from Abraham’s line (Jewish), but He is also the One through whom the nations of the world will be blessed (Genesis 22:18).

It is through Jesus, and the billions of forgiven sinners whom He will make children of the promise, that we see the fulfillment of God’s Word that the children of Abraham will be numerous as the stars of the sky (Genesis 26:4) and the sands of the shore (Genesis 22:17). Matthew begins his account of the life and work of Christ—climaxing in His sin-atoning death for sinners and victory over the grave—with the important signifier: son of Abraham. This Son of Abraham would bring many sons to glory through his own suffering (Hebrews 2:10).

Questions for Reflection
  • Why is Jesus’ connection to Abraham so important for Matthew to begin his Gospel?
  • What special relationship did God establish with Abram (Abraham)?
  • How does Jesus fulfill the promise of countless descendants of Abraham without ever having any children?
  • How does Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection graft people into the covenant people of God?

This advent devotion, Waiting for Light to Come, was written by Erik Reed and borrowed with permission from Knowing Jesus Ministries. You can find the original publication and more information at https://www.knowingjesusministries.co

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