BibleProject | One Story That Leads to Jesusનમૂનો

Today’s reading marks a turning point. After centuries of waiting, Jesus of Nazareth enters the scene. The world glimpses the story’s climax. Watch the video to see how the New Testament carries forward the story of God’s work to restore blessing to the world.

Matthew introduces Jesus with a genealogy that positions him as the person to whom Israel’s story has been leading. Notice the three gentile women on the list. By naming Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth, Matthew foreshadows Jesus’ inclusion of Gentiles. He recalls God’s original promise to Abraham that through his family, which now includes Jesus, all the families (or “nations”) of the world would be blessed (Gen. 12:2-3).

Also, by situating Jesus in King David’s royal line, Matthew portrays Jesus as the long-anticipated divine king. Notice Matthew’s subtle detail: Neither King Herod nor Jerusalem’s rich and powerful receive gifts from the foreign magi. The magi honor and worship only Jesus as a new king.

Pay attention to the hyperlinks between the events surrounding Jesus’ birth and Israel’s exodus from Egypt. King Herod, like Pharaoh, tries to thwart God’s plan for Israel by mass-murdering baby boys (cf. Exod. 1:15-22), which forces a young family to hide their son (cf. Exod. 2:1-3). In an ironic twist, the angel commands Joseph to take Mary and Jesus down to Egypt for refuge!

They sojourn there for a time until Jesus, like Israel, can come out of Egypt and enter the promised land.

Reflection Questions

• Twice, this story mentions the Holy Spirit’s role in Jesus’ conception (Matt. 1:18, 20). Where in the Hebrew Bible have you seen the Spirit of God participating in the creation of life?
• What do the names Jesus (“Yahweh will rescue”) and Immanuel (“God with us”) invite you to consider about Jesus’ identity and mission?