Luke 3 (6)

Pray Psalm 87.1-3.
His foundation is in the holy mountains.
The LORD loves the gates of Zion
More than all the dwellings of Jacob.
Glorious things are spoken of you,
O city of God!

Sing Psalm 87.1-4.
(St. Anne: Our God, Our Help in Ages Past)
Upon the holy mountains rest the footings of the Lord,
Who loves of Israel’s flock the best the keepers of His Word.

For glorious things are spoken of the City of our God;
The nations know His matchless love wher’er His feet have trod.

Read Luke 3.1-38; meditate on verses 23-38.

Preparation
1. Where does the genealogy of Jesus end?

2. What does it say about Joseph?

Meditation
The genealogy of Jesus in the gospel of Luke is an ascending genealogy (as opposed to a descending genealogy, as in Matthew 1.1-16). It begins with Jesus and works its way back through time to Adam and God. In so doing it locates Jesus in His heavenly, as well as His earthly provenance. Some commentators suggest that the phrase “as was supposed” in relation to Joseph could indicate that this is Mary’s genealogy – and that Heli (v. 23) was her father, and not Joseph’s.

The genealogy lists 76 generations from Adam to Jesus, suggesting that the generation that descends from Jesus – all those who believe in Him and are born again (Jn. 1.12) – is the 77^th generation, a number symbolic both of completion and forgiveness (cf. Lk. 17.4). In this view, the generation spawned by Jesus would be the generation that realizes the fulfillment of God’s covenant, as Zacharias prophesied (Lk. 1.67-75).

Luke’s genealogy covers the entire scope of redemptive history from its beginning in eternity to the incarnation of Jesus and the beginning of His ministry. Luke tells us that the book of Acts is the continuing record of what Jesus began to do, as he reported in his gospel. Here he suggests that his gospel is the continuing record of what God began to do in the Old Testament. His genealogy has the effect of “Previously in the unfolding of the divine plan for redemption…”

In this genealogy Jesus is presented both as the Son of God and as the second Adam. Since Jesus is the new Adam, and forgiveness and wholeness are the gifts He brings, the Church is the new creation and the new garden of Eden, in and from which God unfolds His Kingdom of righteousness, peace, joy, and power in the Holy Spirit.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Whether ascending or descending, the genealogies of Jesus always arrive at the same conclusion: Jesus Christ is the Son of God! (Lk. 3.38; Matt. 1.18) “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Mk. 9.7)

God proclaimed those words at the transfiguration of Jesus. Moses and Elijah were both in attendance along with a few disciples, but the Scriptures clarify that when God’s voice was heard, they looked around and “saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves” (Mk. 9.8).

God’s people have known from the beginning that He would send His Son to earth, in “the fullness of the time” (Gal. 4.4) to save them from their sins (Matt. 1.21). Agur, the author of Proverbs 30 asked these questions a long time ago:
“Who has ascended into heaven, or descended?
Who has gathered the wind in His fists?
Who has bound the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is His name, and what is His Son’s name,
If you know?” (Prov. 30.4)

And we do know His name: It is Jesus.
“…the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God” (Lk. 3.38).

“The LORD has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You’” (Ps. 2.7).
“I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son” (Heb. 1.5).

Peter testified to this truth, having been an eyewitness to the Son’s transfiguration and the Father’s voice:
“For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts…” (2 Pet. 1.17-19).

And we must heed this Word, as well, for it portends a life and death matter:
Jesus asked His disciples this question: “Who do you say that I am?”
Peter rightly answered: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16.15, 16).
“The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (Jn. 3.35, 36).

The genealogy of Jesus is authentic, historic, trustworthy, and beyond dispute. In fact, our very lives depend on its validity.

For reflection
1. Why is it important to have this genealogy of Jesus?

2. This genealogy connects Jesus to God’s covenant and the kingdom of David. Why is this important?

3. What other names in this genealogy “point forward” to Jesus and His work?

Matthew’s list of the forefathers of Jesus showed that Christ was the son of Abraham, in whom all the families of the earth are blessed, and heir to the throne of David; but Luke shows that Jesus was the Seed of the woman that should break the serpent’s head, and traces the line up to Adam, beginning with Eli, or Heli, the father, not of Joseph, but of Mary. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Luke 3.23-38

Pray Psalm 87.5-7.
Pray for the people of God worldwide, that all whom God is calling to Himself through Jesus may be “registered” for salvation, and may rejoice in the Lord and His goodness. Make a point to pray for specific believers you expect to see today, and ask the Lord to show you how you can encourage them in their walk with and work for Him.

Sing Psalm 87.5-7.
(St. Anne: Our God, Our Help in Ages Past)
From south and north, from east and west they come, called by His grace;
Thus Zion stands, full strong and blessed, before the Savior’s face.

The Lord will count and tally all in Jesus born again.
Then let them sing, who on Him call, “We joy in God, Amen!”

T. M. and Susie Moore

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (Williston: Waxed Tablet Publications, 2006), available by clicking here.