17 December 2014— GOSPEL MT 1:1-17

Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent

GOSPEL MT 1:1-17

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king.

David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile.

After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations.

Reflection:

A genealogy is a list of a person's ancestor, showing their family tree. They may b boring usually not very interesting. They list name after name of pple that r mostly forgotten wt d rare name.

But in general, they r pple that v hv never heard of, bt they r d ones who r very important pple in d family history.

Matthew opens his gospel with a list of names tells us that he feels this is something important, something worth listening to. If v understand the Jewish people, in Jesus day, & today, v know that family trees were very important.

A persons lineage gave them certain rights and responsibilities. Land was owned by families and passed along the family tree, so knowing your ancestors was like owning a title deed.

To the descendant's of David a promise was given that an eternal king wd b drawn from their ranks. And that is our Messiah - Lord Jesus Christ.

V too belong to Jesus & realize our salvation in & thru Him.

Jesus loves u. Hv a gr8 day wt Jesus. God bless.