The Genealogy of the Christ

Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God (Luke 3:23-38).

There is temptation to skim over portions of scripture like this. How much spiritual truth can be gleaned from such a long list of Bible names? But  today we recall the Holy Spirit’s admonition that, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Diligent disciples are compelled to pause and ask the Spirit of Truth to help us dig deeper, so we don’t miss any soul-shaping and equipping truth here. While every name in this genealogy represents a life that is unique and precious enough in God’s sight to be included forever in His Word, there are three important truths about the Son of God and Man revealed in the genealogy of the Christ.

Jesus was the son of Joseph, “as was supposed”. True disciples believe Jesus is the only Son of God… “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). This genealogy confirms that Jesus also became fully human… “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). He was born of a virgin woman, Mary, and adopted by a loving man, Joseph. This is a precious illustration of our own adoption as children of God… “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).

Jesus was descended from Adam. He is the Son of Man, a term the Spirit uses in scripture to identify the Messiah as one who has become like mankind in order to serve mankind… “Though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:6-7). In tracing His descent all the way to Adam, the Spirit inspired Luke to reveal that as the Son of Man, Jesus is the Servant-Savior of all men, Jew and Gentile alike… “The Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles” (Acts 26:23).

Jesus was descended from God. He is the Son of God. While He is like Adam, able to experience death, He is like God, able to conquer death and give us the gift of life… “The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit” (1 Corinthians 15:45). As the Son of God, Jesus died that we might live… “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22).

As we grow up into Christ we live and grow as adopted children of God through the Son of Man and Son of God revealed in…

The Genealogy of the Christ.

The Blessings of a Truly Diligent Disciple

So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison. Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:18-22).

John preached on. The Spirit inspired Luke to note that the Baptist exhorted the people God brought out to him in the wilderness. He was diligent to fulfill the call to proclaim the truth of God’s Word even though it offended many of his listeners. His messages were relevant to the current events of his day and his reproofs reached the ears of the politicians and religious leaders in the area. Though his diligence in obeying God’s instructions resulted in unjust imprisonment and premature termination of his public ministry, here the Spirit of Truth reveals some encouragement for diligent disciples in every age. If we follow the Holy Spirit’s leading as we closely study today’s text, truth seekers will discover the blessings of a truly diligent disciple.

Like John, diligent disciples will be persecuted. John was imprisoned because of his vocal stand for righteousness against Herod. One of the marks of true discipleship is abiding in God’s Word and living in His truth… “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). The gospel as presented in God’s Word reveals His righteousness… “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith’” (Romans 1:17). Diligent disciples who immerse themselves in God’s Word and faithfully proclaim His truth are going to encounter resistance and opposition as we become irritating reflections of His righteousness in this unrighteous world. Jesus promised that one of the evidences of diligent discipleship will be the blessing of persecution… “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10).

Like John, diligent disciples will see God’s work completed. Herod put an end to John’s public ministry, but not before he completed the most important part of his mission. John baptized Jesus… “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness’” (Matthew 3:13-15). Jesus taught His disciples that our work is to believe in His Son… “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent” (John 6:29). He wants us to see every trial as an opportunity to grow our in faith in Him… “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7). Diligent disciples believe our faith will glorify God as it is perfected and completed in Christ… “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).

Like John, diligent disciples will see God’s promises fulfilled. Before his incarceration God allowed the Baptist to see Jesus confirmed as the Son of God. This was a wonderful fulfillment of the promise God made to John… “I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God” (John 1:33-34). Diligent disciples resist the distractions of the world and steadfastly look to Christ as we eagerly anticipate the fulfillment of every promise of God in Him… “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

As we grow up into Christ we embrace persecution, growing faith, and fulfilled promises…

The Blessings of a Truly Diligent Disciple.

The Evidence of a Truly Converted Soul

As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire” (Luke 3:15-17).

They mistook the Baptist for the Messiah! His austere, humble lifestyle reflected an abandonment of the comforts of the world. His Holy Spirit inspired words reflected the convicting truth of God’s Word. Humility and authority mixed together and came forth in power and the audience was compelled to question within their hearts, “whether he might be the Christ”. Might the Teacher who inspired Luke to record this scene be convicting our hearts today? Might the Spirit want us to consider the question, do people see Jesus in me? John’s answer to the burning question in the hearts of his audience revealed Biblical truth that had transformed his life. He spoke from personal experience about the evidence of a truly converted soul.

A maturing disciple reveals the life of Christ. Born again, growing disciples are increasingly filled with the new life that reflects Christ to others. John’s life was so overflowing with the life of Christ that his audience mistook him for the Messiah. The Baptist’s life was surrendered to Christ completely. Jesus exhorted real disciples to deny themselves and to surrender their lives to His perfect care and leading… “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). This exchange of life begins at the new birth… “He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Corinthians 5:15) and continues daily as John affirmed with the words… “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

A maturing disciple reproduces the character of Christ. John was baptized or immersed in the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb… “He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb” (Luke 1:15). The Spirit teaches that genuine disciples experience the baptism (Greek –baptizō: to make whelmed, immersed, washed) of the Holy Spirit at our spiritual birth… “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 3:5-6). The Spirit also teaches that being filled with the Holy Spirit is a daily experience that should be vigorously pursued by diligent, growing disciples… “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18) and this pursuit of life in the Spirit bears visible fruit that reflects the character of Jesus Christ and is evidence that we belong to Him… “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:22-24).

A maturing disciple reflects the holiness of Christ. The growing presence of Christ and the increasing fullness of the Holy Spirit in a genuine, born again disciple will produce another obvious change, increasing holiness. As we decrease and the presence and power of Christ in us increases, there is increasing victory over sin in our lives… “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:56-57). The victory over temptation and sin begins with the new birth and increases as our faith in Christ grows… “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4). Evidence of the new birth and genuine discipleship is Christ in us increasing our ability to imitate Christ and His holiness who admonished us to… “As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15-16).

As we grow up into Christ we reveal Him, reproduce His character, and reflect His holiness…

The Evidence of a Truly Converted Soul.

The Power of a Truly Born Again Life

And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages” (Luke 3:10-14).

As John dutifully proclaimed the message God gave him, the Holy Spirit went to work in the hearts of his audience. What does a truly repentant heart feel like? What does a genuinely transformed life look like? John gave a clear example to each segment of the crowd that asked the question, “What then shall we do?” The Baptist’s Holy Spirit inspired words still motivate true disciples today. If we are living a genuinely born again life that is motivated by a truly transformed heart, we will be making a difference in the lives of others. Individuals and communities are transformed by the power of a truly born again life.

The truly born again life is fueled by a spirit of hospitality. In the repentant heart, selfishness has been replaced by generosity that compels us to respond to every need as an opportunity to share the love and provision of Christ with others. There is a new awareness that everything we own is an investment from the Lord that He wants us to reinvest in others… “Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you” (Matthew 5:42). There is a fresh humility in giving that Christ might be made known to others… “When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:3-4). Evidence of a truly repentant heart is a cheerful attitude toward giving… “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7) and an eager anticipation that God will empower is to become more involved in His eternal work through our giving… “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11).

How has Christ changed my attitude toward possessions?

The truly born again life is marked by a spirit of humility. The truly repentant tax collector no longer saw position as an opportunity for personal gain. It was now about serving. There was serving the state by dutifully discharging the obligations of the office. There was serving the people by collecting no more than was legally owed. A heart of humility will transform the most feared public officer into a respected servant leader who reflects the example and admonition of Christ… “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matt 20:25-28).

How has Christ changed my attitude toward people?

The truly born again life is distinguished by a spirit of honor. The truly repentant soldier would no longer abuse the authority and power of his position over the people. He would see his authority like Jesus did, as coming from God… “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above” (John 19:11). Imitating the example of Christ, the truly repentant heart sees the exercise of authority as opportunity to honor and glorify God... “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him” (John 17:1-2). The truly born again life exercises the authority given by Christ to honor others by meeting needs and sharing the gospel… “And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal” (Luke 9:1-2).

How has Christ changed my attitude toward power?

As we grow up into Christ our families, friends, and communities are touched and transformed by…

The Power of a Truly Born Again Life.

The Marks of a Truly Repentant Heart

He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Luke 3:7-9).

The Holy Spirit inspired Luke to record the teaching and preaching of John the Baptist so we can discover the same indispensable truth about repentance that he preached to his original audience. Just like Jesus, John attracted large crowds. Just like Jesus, John confronted the crowd with truth that convicted their hearts and sent many of them running away. But others were compelled to step closer and accept the challenge of true repentance which John promised would lead them to Christ… “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11). Here John’s message reveals that the way to the new birth that soon would be offered by Christ is via genuine repentance. The Spirit prompted John to use the word repentance (Greek: metanoia; a compunction for guilt prompting a reformation or reversal of decision). John challenged the crowd to consider much more than ceremonial cleansing through baptism. John demanded “fruits in keeping with repentance”. The Holy Spirit-inspired words of the Baptist reveal the marks of a truly repentant heart.

Sincere repentance produces fruit. A convicted heart that reverses course produces a dramatic change in behavior. There is undeniable evidence when motives and priorities are moved from selfishness and wickedness to benevolence and righteousness. The most obvious fruit of a truly repentant heart is a fresh new hunger for the forgiveness that only Christ can offer. The truly repentant heart seeks and responds to the gospel of Christ… “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!  This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.” I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel’” (John 1:29-31).

Serious repentance prompts new life. A genuine new motivation in the heart prompts a consuming new hunger for righteousness. Familiarity and compromise with temptation and sin are replaced by discomfort and longing for holiness that drives the truly repentant soul toward Christ… “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus” (Acts 3:19-20). Earnest disciples know we cannot achieve the holiness we covet on our own. The truly repentant heart trusts and grows in the righteousness of Christ… “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Spurious repentance procures death. Fake repentance deceives the soul into believing there is a self-made path to righteousness. This increases hopelessness and guilt in the soul that keeps striving and failing to conquer sin and guilt. A lifetime of self-deception leads the unrepentant soul to a confrontation with the consequence of their rejection of the Savior… “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12). Godly grief over sin and genuine repentance lead to life. The truly repentant heart pursues and finds eternal life in Christ… “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10).

As we grow up into Christ our hearts will increasingly reflect…

The Marks of a Truly Repentant Heart.

When the Word of God Comes

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

                          “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ” (Luke 3:1-6).

The Holy Spirit returns our attention to John the Baptist who grew up in the wilderness of Judea… “And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel” (Luke 1:80). There in the desert outside of the busy and noisy cities and villages of Israel the young man was separated from political and cultural distractions and he was free to hear the Word of God. And the Lord spoke to the young man and he was compelled to proclaim that message throughout the region around the Jordan River. Through Luke’s record of the Baptist’s message, the Teacher reveals three precious truths about the Word of God for thirsty truth seekers. Genuine disciples will find encouragement to abide in His Word here as learn more about what happens when the Word of God comes.

The Word of God precipitates the wilderness of life. John lived intentionally outside of the crowded cities and villages of his community. There was little distraction in the wilderness. There was also little food and water in the desert. He was more dependent of the Lord for physical, emotional, and spiritual nourishment, and God was faithful over the years to meet and commune with His maturing prophet. Could it be that when we get too busy and distracted to hear Him, God initiates wilderness times in our lives? Might you be in the middle of a desert in your life? Consider increasing your time in His Word. I believe He will meet and speak to you in the quiet, thirsty times just as He met the Old Testament children of promise… “He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of the wilderness; he encircled him, he cared for him, he kept him as the apple of his eye” (Deuteronomy 32:10).

The Word of God prepares the way of the Lord. Compelled by the Word he received from the Lord, John immediately proclaimed that Word to others. The hearts of his listeners were changed and they were prepared to receive Christ through a baptism of repentance. God’s Word still prepares the heart of the earnest truth seeker to discover more of Jesus by replacing complacency with conviction and challenging us to repent of sin that keeps us from deeper, refreshing intimacy with Christ… “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus” (Acts 3:19-20).

The Word of God presents the salvation of God. John was confident that if he faithfully proclaimed the Word that God revealed to him, everyone would catch a glimpse of the salvation of God. Jesus Christ is the salvation of God. Jesus taught that when maturing disciples earnestly and humbly abide in the Word of God, our lives are illuminated and transformed by His truth and we receive assurance of our salvation… “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). Serious disciples who seek and share the gospel as revealed in the Word of God become effective disciple makers, revealing His salvation, Christ the Savior to the world around us… “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15).

As we grow up into Christ we discover faith-growing truth as we listen closely…

When the Word of God Comes.