WEBVTT 00:00:00.680 --> 00:00:09.300 Good morning, church. Our sermon text today is Matthew chapter 1, verses 1 through 17. 00:00:09.980 --> 00:00:13.919 That's page 757 in the Pew Bible. 00:00:19.019 --> 00:00:21.699 As we turn there together, let me pray for us. 00:00:21.699 --> 00:00:39.820 Lord Jesus, as we come before you in your word, Lord, we confess that for many of us, Advent and Christmas is a familiar time. 00:00:40.340 --> 00:00:44.859 Lord, having spent many years in your church, celebrating this time of year, 00:00:46.920 --> 00:00:51.039 God, we ask that you would make the familiar fresh to us this morning and new. 00:00:51.700 --> 00:01:03.400 God, we also acknowledge this morning that many of us here are new to you and to the meaning of what we're doing here. 00:01:03.500 --> 00:01:12.680 God, we pray that the newness and the unfamiliarness of this would resound with deep meaning and truth. 00:01:12.680 --> 00:01:21.760 Lord, that you would invite us in this morning to your comfort and your joy as we engage with you in your word. 00:01:22.300 --> 00:01:24.720 Speak to us, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:01:26.520 --> 00:01:30.600 Well, let me read this text for us as we dive into our Advent series. 00:01:30.719 --> 00:01:33.580 Matthew chapter 1, verses 1 through 17. 00:01:33.579 --> 00:01:40.280 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 00:01:41.480 --> 00:01:47.299 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. 00:01:48.140 --> 00:01:51.120 And Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar. 00:01:51.859 --> 00:01:54.920 And Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram. 00:01:55.000 --> 00:01:59.799 And Ram the father of Abinadab, and Abinadab the father of Nation, and Nation the father of Salmon. 00:01:59.799 --> 00:02:02.500 And Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab. 00:02:02.959 --> 00:02:05.359 And Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth. 00:02:05.939 --> 00:02:07.359 And Obed the father of Jesse. 00:02:07.879 --> 00:02:10.979 And Jesse the father of David, the king. 00:02:12.620 --> 00:02:16.479 And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah. 00:02:17.319 --> 00:02:18.859 And Solomon the father of Rehoboam. 00:02:19.139 --> 00:02:20.479 Rehoboam the father of Abijah. 00:02:20.699 --> 00:02:22.139 Abijah the father of Asaph. 00:02:22.219 --> 00:02:23.860 Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat. 00:02:24.280 --> 00:02:26.079 And Jehoshaphat the father of Joram. 00:02:26.659 --> 00:02:28.060 And Joram the father of Uzziah. 00:02:28.060 --> 00:02:29.900 And Uzziah the father of Jotham. 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:31.580 And Jotham the father of Ahaz. 00:02:31.719 --> 00:02:33.280 And Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. 00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:35.780 And Hezekiah the father of Manasseh. 00:02:35.979 --> 00:02:37.259 Manasseh the father of Amos. 00:02:37.560 --> 00:02:39.199 And Amos the father of Josiah. 00:02:39.900 --> 00:02:46.960 And Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the deportation to Babylon. 00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:54.500 And after the deportation to Babylon, Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel. 00:02:54.960 --> 00:02:56.719 And Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel. 00:02:56.719 --> 00:02:58.919 And Zerubbabel the father of Abiod. 00:02:59.379 --> 00:03:01.060 And Abiod the father of Eliakim. 00:03:01.099 --> 00:03:02.580 And Eliakim the father of Azor. 00:03:02.680 --> 00:03:04.060 And Azor the father of Zadok. 00:03:04.139 --> 00:03:05.439 Zadok the father of Achim. 00:03:05.900 --> 00:03:07.300 And Achim the father of Eliad. 00:03:07.759 --> 00:03:09.400 And Eliad the father of Eleazar. 00:03:09.620 --> 00:03:11.180 And Eleazar the father of Mathan. 00:03:11.939 --> 00:03:13.360 And Mathan the father of Jacob. 00:03:13.979 --> 00:03:15.460 And Jacob the father of Joseph. 00:03:16.099 --> 00:03:16.979 The husband of Mary. 00:03:17.740 --> 00:03:19.000 Of whom Jesus was born. 00:03:19.659 --> 00:03:21.300 Who is called Christ. 00:03:21.300 --> 00:03:28.580 So, all the generations from Abraham to David were 14 generations. 00:03:29.360 --> 00:03:33.580 And from David to the deportation of Babylon, 14 generations. 00:03:34.300 --> 00:03:40.080 And from the deportation of Babylon to the Christ, 14 generations. 00:03:40.080 --> 00:03:46.700 Well, think about some of the great opening lines of literature. 00:03:48.080 --> 00:03:49.820 Call me Ishmael. 00:03:50.540 --> 00:03:51.660 Herman Melville. 00:03:51.900 --> 00:03:52.360 Moby Dick. 00:03:53.860 --> 00:03:56.240 I am an invisible man. 00:03:57.400 --> 00:03:58.120 Ralph Ellison. 00:03:58.120 --> 00:04:02.520 It is a truth universally acknowledged. 00:04:02.860 --> 00:04:04.920 That a single man in possession of a good fortune. 00:04:05.219 --> 00:04:06.819 Must be in want of a life. 00:04:07.659 --> 00:04:08.300 Jane Austen. 00:04:09.379 --> 00:04:11.360 Great first lines capture your attention. 00:04:11.539 --> 00:04:13.379 And set the stage for what's to come. 00:04:14.540 --> 00:04:17.720 But perhaps as we read these opening lines of the gospel of Matthew. 00:04:18.040 --> 00:04:20.019 Which are the opening lines of the whole New Testament. 00:04:20.160 --> 00:04:22.899 Which is one of the most influential works in the entirety of human history. 00:04:23.019 --> 00:04:23.879 You feel a bit. 00:04:24.939 --> 00:04:25.899 Let down. 00:04:25.899 --> 00:04:31.799 Rather than an intention grabbing first line. 00:04:32.159 --> 00:04:36.639 What we get is a list of names. 00:04:37.719 --> 00:04:39.859 Of all the things to begin with. 00:04:40.139 --> 00:04:42.079 We begin with a genealogy. 00:04:45.679 --> 00:04:48.359 But before we jump to conclusions too quickly. 00:04:49.179 --> 00:04:51.500 Read that first line again. 00:04:51.759 --> 00:04:55.539 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ. 00:04:55.899 --> 00:04:57.120 The son of David. 00:04:57.719 --> 00:04:58.899 The son of Abraham. 00:05:00.839 --> 00:05:04.679 If we can read that line with the ears of Matthew's original audience. 00:05:04.779 --> 00:05:07.179 An audience steeped in the Hebrew scriptures. 00:05:07.399 --> 00:05:10.359 And the stories and hopes and desires of the people of Israel. 00:05:10.359 --> 00:05:12.799 That we might begin to see. 00:05:13.060 --> 00:05:15.899 That this opening section of Matthew's gospel. 00:05:16.000 --> 00:05:19.639 Isn't some boring obscure list of names. 00:05:19.639 --> 00:05:21.639 But it is in reality. 00:05:21.639 --> 00:05:22.139 It is in reality. 00:05:22.139 --> 00:05:25.519 A page on fire. 00:05:26.659 --> 00:05:27.899 With hope. 00:05:28.319 --> 00:05:29.659 With expectation. 00:05:30.379 --> 00:05:32.500 Even with joy. 00:05:35.979 --> 00:05:38.819 Could we hear it that way again today? 00:05:38.819 --> 00:05:42.459 As another Christmas season begins. 00:05:42.459 --> 00:05:43.699 This season we call Advent. 00:05:43.839 --> 00:05:44.920 A season of expectation. 00:05:44.920 --> 00:05:45.519 And waiting. 00:05:45.699 --> 00:05:46.099 And longing. 00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:46.740 And hope. 00:05:47.279 --> 00:05:50.379 Could we train our ears to catch what Matthew wants us to hear. 00:05:50.540 --> 00:05:53.000 What the church throughout history has heard. 00:05:53.180 --> 00:05:56.800 And what this Christmas season just might be the very thing we need to hear. 00:05:56.800 --> 00:06:02.460 Well if we're willing to hear it. 00:06:02.520 --> 00:06:04.160 Matthew's telling us three things here. 00:06:04.280 --> 00:06:05.920 In these opening lines. 00:06:06.860 --> 00:06:11.220 It will take his entire gospel to unpack these themes. 00:06:11.220 --> 00:06:12.520 But here they are. 00:06:12.620 --> 00:06:15.120 In this genealogy ready to be heard. 00:06:15.319 --> 00:06:16.800 Leaping off the page. 00:06:18.220 --> 00:06:20.280 And what Matthew wants us to hear. 00:06:21.060 --> 00:06:24.680 Is that the long awaited king has come. 00:06:24.680 --> 00:06:30.060 The king who brings new creation. 00:06:30.939 --> 00:06:33.819 The new creation not just for some. 00:06:34.160 --> 00:06:35.639 But for all people. 00:06:37.040 --> 00:06:38.180 Here is the king. 00:06:38.579 --> 00:06:40.280 Who brings the new creation. 00:06:40.840 --> 00:06:41.899 For all people. 00:06:43.000 --> 00:06:43.819 And his name. 00:06:44.519 --> 00:06:45.420 Is Jesus. 00:06:48.360 --> 00:06:49.780 So let's hone in. 00:06:50.060 --> 00:06:51.840 And let's listen a little closer. 00:06:52.960 --> 00:06:54.660 First Matthew says that the law. 00:06:54.680 --> 00:06:57.240 Long awaited king has come. 00:06:58.340 --> 00:06:59.879 Again what we have in these verses. 00:07:00.100 --> 00:07:01.600 Is not just a random list of names. 00:07:01.639 --> 00:07:03.060 Or some obscure family tree. 00:07:03.280 --> 00:07:03.459 No. 00:07:03.579 --> 00:07:06.759 This is a kingly genealogy. 00:07:06.860 --> 00:07:10.060 This is the lineage of Israel's royal house. 00:07:10.600 --> 00:07:11.100 Now consider. 00:07:11.300 --> 00:07:13.280 Why did the media get all excited. 00:07:13.379 --> 00:07:14.160 A few years ago. 00:07:14.280 --> 00:07:15.660 When Prince William and Kate Middleton. 00:07:15.879 --> 00:07:16.579 Had their first son. 00:07:18.420 --> 00:07:18.840 Well. 00:07:18.980 --> 00:07:20.019 Prince George was. 00:07:20.460 --> 00:07:21.319 Undeniably cute. 00:07:21.319 --> 00:07:22.379 That was kind of exciting. 00:07:23.060 --> 00:07:24.480 But that's not the real reason. 00:07:24.560 --> 00:07:24.779 Right? 00:07:24.879 --> 00:07:26.159 Everyone got all excited. 00:07:26.360 --> 00:07:27.560 Because little Prince George. 00:07:27.560 --> 00:07:29.759 Is probably going to be the king of England one day. 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:33.659 Now imagine Prince George. 00:07:33.659 --> 00:07:35.159 Going to school one day. 00:07:35.539 --> 00:07:37.560 And having to do a class project. 00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:38.740 A family tree. 00:07:40.019 --> 00:07:41.879 And he sits down to write it out. 00:07:41.959 --> 00:07:42.240 Well. 00:07:42.379 --> 00:07:43.079 Here's dad. 00:07:43.319 --> 00:07:43.879 Prince William. 00:07:44.539 --> 00:07:45.860 And here's granddad. 00:07:45.980 --> 00:07:46.699 Prince Charles. 00:07:47.480 --> 00:07:48.639 And here's great grandmom. 00:07:48.800 --> 00:07:49.420 Queen Elizabeth. 00:07:49.959 --> 00:07:51.199 And then great granddad. 00:07:51.300 --> 00:07:51.939 King George. 00:07:52.039 --> 00:07:52.519 And on. 00:07:52.599 --> 00:07:53.060 And on. 00:07:53.139 --> 00:07:53.579 And on. 00:07:53.579 --> 00:07:56.139 Now I don't think there would be a kid in his class. 00:07:56.199 --> 00:07:58.060 Who would find that family tree very boring. 00:07:58.199 --> 00:07:58.599 Do you? 00:08:00.579 --> 00:08:02.699 Laced through each one of those names. 00:08:02.859 --> 00:08:04.800 Is a whole history of a nation. 00:08:04.939 --> 00:08:05.639 And of a people. 00:08:06.500 --> 00:08:08.839 And that's what we're reading here in Matthew 1. 00:08:09.399 --> 00:08:11.560 The whole history of a nation. 00:08:11.680 --> 00:08:12.360 Of a people. 00:08:13.899 --> 00:08:15.259 It begins with Abraham. 00:08:15.459 --> 00:08:16.919 The father of the Jewish family. 00:08:18.519 --> 00:08:20.019 And God's promise to Abraham. 00:08:20.019 --> 00:08:22.240 That kings would come from his offspring. 00:08:22.240 --> 00:08:24.639 And so we follow the line down to David. 00:08:24.819 --> 00:08:27.920 Who verse 6 tells us is the king. 00:08:29.600 --> 00:08:30.400 With David. 00:08:30.519 --> 00:08:32.500 The Israelite monarchy is solidified. 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:32.960 David. 00:08:33.060 --> 00:08:34.419 A man after God's own heart. 00:08:34.500 --> 00:08:36.940 Who would represent the people as their head. 00:08:37.060 --> 00:08:38.080 Who would fight for them. 00:08:38.180 --> 00:08:39.620 Who would shepherd them. 00:08:39.680 --> 00:08:41.399 Who would provide and protect them. 00:08:42.320 --> 00:08:44.120 The one to whom God gave another promise. 00:08:44.259 --> 00:08:46.320 That a king from his line would rule forever. 00:08:47.899 --> 00:08:50.560 And then the genealogy continues down from David. 00:08:50.560 --> 00:08:52.159 Through the years of the monarchy. 00:08:53.000 --> 00:08:54.159 Some kings good. 00:08:54.600 --> 00:08:56.759 Other kings not so good. 00:08:57.879 --> 00:09:01.360 Until the crisis of the deportation to Babylon. 00:09:02.639 --> 00:09:03.539 The exile. 00:09:04.180 --> 00:09:05.299 When because of their sin. 00:09:05.379 --> 00:09:06.340 The people were defeated. 00:09:06.720 --> 00:09:08.500 And taken away from their land. 00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:10.000 To live as strangers. 00:09:10.399 --> 00:09:11.680 In a strange land. 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:13.259 Among strange gods. 00:09:13.259 --> 00:09:17.439 But the royal line continues. 00:09:17.899 --> 00:09:19.220 From Jeconiah. 00:09:19.220 --> 00:09:20.360 Come the generations. 00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:22.039 Down through the exile. 00:09:22.039 --> 00:09:24.659 And the succession of world powers. 00:09:24.659 --> 00:09:26.919 The line continues through the years. 00:09:26.919 --> 00:09:29.779 Under the oppressive regimes of Babylon. 00:09:29.779 --> 00:09:31.439 And then Persia. 00:09:31.439 --> 00:09:32.659 And then Greece. 00:09:32.659 --> 00:09:33.980 And then Rome. 00:09:34.980 --> 00:09:36.960 Generation after generation. 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:37.879 In the middle of the world. 00:09:37.879 --> 00:09:38.780 In the middle of the world. 00:09:38.780 --> 00:09:39.840 In the middle of the world. 00:09:39.840 --> 00:09:40.639 In the middle of the world. 00:09:40.639 --> 00:09:40.960 In the middle of the world. 00:09:40.960 --> 00:09:41.440 In the middle of the world. 00:09:41.440 --> 00:09:44.300 Until we come to Joseph and Mary. 00:09:45.600 --> 00:09:48.519 And from Mary comes Jesus. 00:09:49.180 --> 00:09:52.259 Who is called, Matthew says, Christ. 00:09:53.259 --> 00:09:55.980 That is, the anointed one. 00:09:56.100 --> 00:09:58.080 In Hebrew, the Messiah. 00:09:58.820 --> 00:10:00.580 The king we've been waiting for. 00:10:00.580 --> 00:10:03.600 The one who will set us free. 00:10:07.139 --> 00:10:09.420 And Matthew has crafted his genealogy. 00:10:09.420 --> 00:10:10.860 With a particular symmetry. 00:10:11.820 --> 00:10:13.560 It's hard to miss at the end, right? 00:10:13.660 --> 00:10:15.800 14 generations from Abraham to David. 00:10:16.080 --> 00:10:17.780 14 from David to exile. 00:10:18.259 --> 00:10:19.879 14 from exile to Christ. 00:10:20.300 --> 00:10:22.320 Is there some kind of deeper significance. 00:10:22.320 --> 00:10:23.720 To this number 14? 00:10:25.480 --> 00:10:26.640 Well, there's a long tradition. 00:10:26.640 --> 00:10:27.640 Of seeing the number 14. 00:10:27.640 --> 00:10:29.240 As a reference to the name David. 00:10:29.240 --> 00:10:30.960 In the Hebrew alphabet. 00:10:30.960 --> 00:10:33.159 The three consonants that spell the name David. 00:10:33.159 --> 00:10:34.680 Are Dalet, Vav, and Dalet. 00:10:34.919 --> 00:10:36.560 Dalet is the fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. 00:10:37.019 --> 00:10:38.759 Vav is the sixth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. 00:10:39.139 --> 00:10:40.860 So if you add up the number value. 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:41.680 Of each of the letters. 00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:42.440 In David's name. 00:10:42.539 --> 00:10:43.740 Four plus six plus four. 00:10:43.879 --> 00:10:44.279 You get. 00:10:45.680 --> 00:10:46.080 14. 00:10:48.279 --> 00:10:50.600 So perhaps Matthew wants us to see. 00:10:50.960 --> 00:10:52.940 That even time itself. 00:10:53.519 --> 00:10:54.720 Is telling us. 00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:57.379 That Jesus is the true son of David. 00:10:57.779 --> 00:10:59.220 The long awaited king. 00:10:59.240 --> 00:11:02.480 But more importantly. 00:11:02.659 --> 00:11:03.299 The symmetry. 00:11:04.019 --> 00:11:05.500 Of Matthew's genealogy. 00:11:05.680 --> 00:11:06.460 Is telling us. 00:11:07.080 --> 00:11:07.840 That God. 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:09.159 Has been in control. 00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:10.399 This whole time. 00:11:11.960 --> 00:11:14.120 Through the seemingly chaotic events. 00:11:14.120 --> 00:11:14.759 Of history. 00:11:15.080 --> 00:11:16.460 Through the apparent failures. 00:11:16.460 --> 00:11:17.560 Of Israel's kings. 00:11:17.919 --> 00:11:19.480 In the dark years of exile. 00:11:19.480 --> 00:11:19.600 God. 00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:22.159 Has still been working out. 00:11:22.259 --> 00:11:23.460 His redemptive plan. 00:11:23.639 --> 00:11:24.419 In strength. 00:11:24.740 --> 00:11:25.500 In wisdom. 00:11:26.019 --> 00:11:27.180 And in care. 00:11:27.179 --> 00:11:30.359 God has not forgotten. 00:11:30.359 --> 00:11:31.279 His promise. 00:11:31.279 --> 00:11:32.339 Or his people. 00:11:33.739 --> 00:11:35.199 And that holds true. 00:11:35.199 --> 00:11:35.919 For us. 00:11:36.259 --> 00:11:36.439 Too. 00:11:37.839 --> 00:11:39.419 Though we do not know. 00:11:39.659 --> 00:11:40.219 What time. 00:11:40.299 --> 00:11:41.099 Will hold. 00:11:41.219 --> 00:11:42.279 We know the God. 00:11:42.379 --> 00:11:43.399 Who holds time. 00:11:43.959 --> 00:11:44.859 And God. 00:11:45.239 --> 00:11:45.899 That God. 00:11:46.099 --> 00:11:47.000 Matthew tells us. 00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:48.360 Is faithful. 00:11:48.360 --> 00:11:50.240 No matter how. 00:11:50.240 --> 00:11:50.360 Dark. 00:11:50.360 --> 00:11:50.919 Dark. 00:11:51.179 --> 00:11:51.679 The road. 00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:54.419 The promise. 00:11:54.539 --> 00:11:55.039 To Abraham. 00:11:55.279 --> 00:11:55.860 The promise. 00:11:56.019 --> 00:11:56.460 To David. 00:11:56.460 --> 00:11:57.139 Has been. 00:11:57.559 --> 00:11:58.080 Fulfilled. 00:11:58.200 --> 00:11:58.899 At the right. 00:11:59.159 --> 00:11:59.639 Time. 00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:01.120 God's king. 00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:01.899 Has come. 00:12:02.580 --> 00:12:03.379 And his name. 00:12:03.440 --> 00:12:04.000 Is Jesus. 00:12:07.779 --> 00:12:09.019 Do you need a king? 00:12:09.019 --> 00:12:13.319 That question. 00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:14.799 Almost sounds ridiculous today. 00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:15.379 I know. 00:12:16.379 --> 00:12:17.740 But for the people of Israel. 00:12:17.740 --> 00:12:19.100 Living under the oppression of Rome. 00:12:19.240 --> 00:12:20.519 The need for a king. 00:12:20.519 --> 00:12:21.539 For a liberator. 00:12:21.740 --> 00:12:23.460 One who would bring God's justice. 00:12:23.460 --> 00:12:24.259 At last. 00:12:24.419 --> 00:12:26.159 Was not a ridiculous question. 00:12:27.759 --> 00:12:28.799 They knew. 00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:29.980 They needed. 00:12:30.539 --> 00:12:31.159 A king. 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:36.620 There's an old children's catechism. 00:12:36.759 --> 00:12:38.659 That asks a very profound question. 00:12:39.019 --> 00:12:40.460 It goes like this. 00:12:41.259 --> 00:12:41.860 Question. 00:12:42.779 --> 00:12:44.419 Why do you need Christ. 00:12:44.419 --> 00:12:45.579 As a king? 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:48.399 Answer. 00:12:49.340 --> 00:12:50.439 Because I. 00:12:50.579 --> 00:12:51.240 Am weak. 00:12:51.759 --> 00:12:52.460 And helpless. 00:12:55.620 --> 00:12:57.460 And yet that is the hardest thing. 00:12:57.659 --> 00:12:58.559 For us to admit. 00:12:58.799 --> 00:12:59.379 Is it not? 00:13:00.279 --> 00:13:01.840 To admit our weakness. 00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:03.079 More than that. 00:13:03.199 --> 00:13:05.460 To admit even our helplessness. 00:13:05.460 --> 00:13:10.519 Yet there is one area. 00:13:10.519 --> 00:13:11.759 Where we can all admit. 00:13:11.920 --> 00:13:12.560 Our weakness. 00:13:12.780 --> 00:13:13.700 And our helplessness. 00:13:14.840 --> 00:13:16.120 We often ignore it. 00:13:16.460 --> 00:13:17.700 We sometimes deny it. 00:13:18.200 --> 00:13:19.300 But the truth is. 00:13:20.100 --> 00:13:21.220 We will all. 00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:22.200 One day. 00:13:22.840 --> 00:13:23.139 Die. 00:13:25.340 --> 00:13:25.860 Death. 00:13:26.100 --> 00:13:26.960 Is the reality. 00:13:27.340 --> 00:13:28.200 The power. 00:13:28.800 --> 00:13:29.900 That none will escape. 00:13:30.300 --> 00:13:31.500 And none will cheat. 00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:33.879 In the face of death. 00:13:33.980 --> 00:13:34.559 We are all. 00:13:34.740 --> 00:13:34.960 We are all. 00:13:34.960 --> 00:13:35.080 We are all. 00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:35.779 We are all. 00:13:35.779 --> 00:13:36.259 And helpless. 00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:40.080 We all need to be rescued. 00:13:40.899 --> 00:13:41.779 We all. 00:13:42.059 --> 00:13:42.620 Need a king. 00:13:44.700 --> 00:13:46.779 But what sort of king. 00:13:46.940 --> 00:13:48.720 Could ever rescue us. 00:13:49.259 --> 00:13:50.259 From death. 00:13:53.059 --> 00:13:54.399 And that is the second thing. 00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:55.519 Matthew wants us to see. 00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:56.480 In this genealogy. 00:13:56.480 --> 00:13:59.360 Here is the long awaited king. 00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:02.180 Who brings the new creation. 00:14:03.800 --> 00:14:05.879 This king has come to do something. 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:07.180 No other king could do. 00:14:07.399 --> 00:14:09.039 When all of creation. 00:14:09.279 --> 00:14:10.620 Is captive to death. 00:14:10.800 --> 00:14:11.440 And decay. 00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:12.860 Here is the king. 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:14.659 Who will make things new. 00:14:14.899 --> 00:14:16.659 Now where do we see the echoes. 00:14:17.019 --> 00:14:18.300 Of new creation. 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:19.899 In Matthew's genealogy. 00:14:20.379 --> 00:14:21.060 Well first. 00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:22.379 In the very opening words. 00:14:22.700 --> 00:14:23.740 This is the book. 00:14:23.740 --> 00:14:25.580 Of the genealogy of. 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:28.060 We may not catch it at first. 00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:29.800 But these words are a deliberate echo. 00:14:29.940 --> 00:14:30.659 Of the book of Genesis. 00:14:31.159 --> 00:14:32.120 Now this past fall. 00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:33.120 We spent three months. 00:14:33.259 --> 00:14:35.139 Walking through Genesis 1 through 11. 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:36.840 And we saw how the phrase. 00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:38.659 These are the generations of. 00:14:38.800 --> 00:14:39.639 Occurred again. 00:14:39.899 --> 00:14:40.620 And again. 00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:42.500 Beginning all the way back. 00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:43.899 In chapter 2 verse 4. 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:44.639 Which reads. 00:14:45.340 --> 00:14:45.899 In Genesis. 00:14:46.139 --> 00:14:46.899 This is the book. 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:48.060 Of the generations. 00:14:48.060 --> 00:14:49.220 Of the heavens and the earth. 00:14:51.320 --> 00:14:52.539 Now in the Greek translation. 00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:53.379 Of the Old Testament. 00:14:53.379 --> 00:14:54.240 Those words. 00:14:54.340 --> 00:14:55.000 In Genesis 2. 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:55.360 4. 00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:56.960 Are nearly identical. 00:14:56.960 --> 00:14:58.860 To Matthew's opening line. 00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:01.679 It's as if Matthew is saying. 00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:03.059 Genesis told you. 00:15:03.159 --> 00:15:04.519 How God's creation began. 00:15:04.879 --> 00:15:06.580 Now I'm going to tell you. 00:15:06.720 --> 00:15:07.720 The good news. 00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:09.440 Of how God's rescue. 00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:10.820 Of creation is fulfilled. 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:12.580 You've read the book. 00:15:12.580 --> 00:15:13.600 Of the generations. 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:14.460 Of heaven and earth. 00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:15.820 Now let me. 00:15:16.039 --> 00:15:16.980 Begin for you. 00:15:17.139 --> 00:15:17.659 The book. 00:15:17.740 --> 00:15:18.620 Of the generations. 00:15:18.620 --> 00:15:20.059 Of Jesus Christ. 00:15:20.059 --> 00:15:20.139 Christ. 00:15:23.139 --> 00:15:24.139 The second echo. 00:15:24.619 --> 00:15:25.299 To new creation. 00:15:25.539 --> 00:15:26.099 Is in the reference. 00:15:26.099 --> 00:15:26.819 To Jesus being. 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:27.939 Not just the son of David. 00:15:27.939 --> 00:15:28.799 This king. 00:15:28.899 --> 00:15:30.099 But also the son of Abraham. 00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:32.319 Remember. 00:15:32.439 --> 00:15:32.759 In the beginning. 00:15:32.759 --> 00:15:33.619 Of Genesis 12. 00:15:33.739 --> 00:15:34.779 God promised Abraham. 00:15:34.779 --> 00:15:35.619 That in him. 00:15:35.739 --> 00:15:36.879 And in his offspring. 00:15:37.179 --> 00:15:38.279 The curse of sin. 00:15:38.359 --> 00:15:38.739 And death. 00:15:38.839 --> 00:15:40.059 Would be overturned. 00:15:40.059 --> 00:15:41.219 And God's blessing. 00:15:41.339 --> 00:15:42.019 His righteousness. 00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:42.759 And life. 00:15:42.919 --> 00:15:43.399 Would come. 00:15:44.339 --> 00:15:45.000 Abraham then. 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:46.379 Stood at the turning point. 00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:47.860 Of God's redemptive plan. 00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:48.379 To heal. 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:49.460 And rescue creation. 00:15:49.460 --> 00:15:50.200 And here. 00:15:50.299 --> 00:15:50.939 Matthew says. 00:15:51.059 --> 00:15:51.840 The promise. 00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:52.740 Is being fulfilled. 00:15:53.080 --> 00:15:54.639 Here is the true son. 00:15:54.679 --> 00:15:55.299 Of Abraham. 00:15:59.799 --> 00:16:00.759 The third echo. 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:01.679 To the new creation. 00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:02.320 Is found. 00:16:02.939 --> 00:16:03.939 In the symmetry. 00:16:04.340 --> 00:16:05.639 Of Matthew's genealogy. 00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:06.539 As we saw earlier. 00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:07.600 This could have been. 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:08.620 A potential reference. 00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:09.620 To the name David. 00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:12.639 And as we saw. 00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:13.399 In the ancient world. 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:14.120 Literary. 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:15.139 Artistry. 00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:17.240 Was often expressed. 00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:18.379 Through a symbolic. 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:19.740 Use of numbers. 00:16:21.199 --> 00:16:22.159 In a beautiful. 00:16:22.419 --> 00:16:23.759 And in a sophisticated way. 00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:24.980 Even numbers. 00:16:25.179 --> 00:16:26.019 In the hands. 00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:27.299 Of these ancient artists. 00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:28.720 Could become a way. 00:16:28.779 --> 00:16:29.819 Of telling a story. 00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:33.279 We often see numbers. 00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:34.240 As just sort of cold. 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:35.279 Calculated things. 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:35.860 These days. 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.740 But the ancient people. 00:16:36.740 --> 00:16:38.220 Were willing to sweep them up. 00:16:38.819 --> 00:16:40.200 Into their works of art. 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:43.279 And here. 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:44.100 Matthew gives us. 00:16:44.179 --> 00:16:45.100 The number 14. 00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:46.019 Three times. 00:16:46.019 --> 00:16:46.600 That is. 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:47.259 He gives us. 00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:48.259 Three pairs. 00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:49.539 Of the number seven. 00:16:52.559 --> 00:16:52.960 Now. 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:54.120 If you were an ancient Jewish reader. 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:55.620 And you see the number seven. 00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:56.620 In some kind of form. 00:16:56.720 --> 00:16:58.259 You immediately think of what? 00:16:59.000 --> 00:17:00.340 You think of the seven days. 00:17:00.340 --> 00:17:00.980 Of creation. 00:17:02.439 --> 00:17:03.580 And then your mind. 00:17:03.580 --> 00:17:05.099 Goes to the seventh day. 00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:05.720 Of creation. 00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:06.359 The Sabbath. 00:17:06.740 --> 00:17:07.920 When God rested. 00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:09.420 And enjoyed his creation. 00:17:09.420 --> 00:17:10.160 And invited. 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.259 Human beings. 00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:12.019 As image bearers. 00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:12.660 Into that rest. 00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:13.259 And enjoyment. 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:15.579 And then perhaps. 00:17:15.579 --> 00:17:16.279 You think about. 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:17.579 How every seven years. 00:17:17.579 --> 00:17:19.480 There would be a sabbatical year. 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:22.200 A whole year. 00:17:22.200 --> 00:17:23.379 When God told the Israelites. 00:17:23.379 --> 00:17:24.720 To give their land rest. 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:25.400 From plowing. 00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:26.019 And farming. 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:26.779 And instead. 00:17:26.779 --> 00:17:27.920 To enjoy the surplus. 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:28.879 Of previous years. 00:17:28.879 --> 00:17:29.900 And what grew naturally. 00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:30.519 Of itself. 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:33.460 And then perhaps. 00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:34.200 You would think about. 00:17:34.200 --> 00:17:35.140 The year of Jubilee. 00:17:35.640 --> 00:17:36.279 A sort of. 00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:37.759 Once in a lifetime. 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:38.519 Sabbath. 00:17:38.519 --> 00:17:39.799 Of sabbaths. 00:17:39.799 --> 00:17:40.359 That happened. 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:41.839 Every 49 years. 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:42.200 That is. 00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:43.200 Every seven times. 00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:43.859 Seven years. 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:44.839 When slaves. 00:17:44.839 --> 00:17:45.519 Would be freed. 00:17:46.339 --> 00:17:47.220 When property. 00:17:47.220 --> 00:17:48.500 Returned to original owners. 00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:49.660 When every debt. 00:17:49.660 --> 00:17:50.440 Would be canceled. 00:17:50.899 --> 00:17:52.399 In the entire nation. 00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:55.660 It was a new beginning. 00:17:56.180 --> 00:17:57.819 Every seven times. 00:17:57.980 --> 00:17:58.720 Seven years. 00:17:58.720 --> 00:18:00.259 For the entire people. 00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:05.079 And then you may just think. 00:18:05.079 --> 00:18:06.019 Of the prophet Daniel. 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:09.180 Who said that Israel's exile. 00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:10.200 Would come to an end. 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:11.900 Not merely in the 70 years. 00:18:11.900 --> 00:18:13.000 That Jeremiah predicted. 00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:14.859 But in seven times. 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:15.819 70 years. 00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:18.359 That's when sin and death. 00:18:18.660 --> 00:18:20.079 Would be at long last. 00:18:20.180 --> 00:18:20.619 Defeated. 00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:21.859 By the creator. 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:22.740 God of life. 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:27.900 And so could it be. 00:18:28.039 --> 00:18:28.400 That here. 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:30.079 As we read Matthew's genealogy. 00:18:30.079 --> 00:18:31.699 And we hear of 14. 00:18:31.859 --> 00:18:32.619 Then 14. 00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:33.279 Then 14. 00:18:33.399 --> 00:18:33.679 That is. 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:34.899 We hear of six. 00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:36.059 Sevens. 00:18:37.659 --> 00:18:39.159 We suddenly realize. 00:18:39.159 --> 00:18:40.059 That with Jesus. 00:18:40.399 --> 00:18:41.379 The seventh. 00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:42.099 Seven. 00:18:42.679 --> 00:18:43.359 Has arrived. 00:18:44.139 --> 00:18:45.839 The ultimate sabbath day. 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:47.879 The ultimate jubilee. 00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:48.799 The start. 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:50.359 Of the new creation. 00:18:50.359 --> 00:18:52.159 And the end of our exile. 00:18:54.599 --> 00:18:56.059 Because what is death. 00:18:57.059 --> 00:18:58.599 But the ultimate exile. 00:18:58.599 --> 00:19:00.859 The ultimate separation. 00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:02.019 From our true home. 00:19:05.339 --> 00:19:07.139 But how would this king. 00:19:07.139 --> 00:19:08.899 Accomplish such a feat. 00:19:10.980 --> 00:19:12.619 The rest of Matthew's gospel. 00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:13.419 Tells us how. 00:19:15.379 --> 00:19:17.059 He would be born of a virgin. 00:19:17.699 --> 00:19:19.119 The ultimate sign. 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:20.319 Of new creation. 00:19:20.879 --> 00:19:22.199 And at the same time. 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:24.099 Take on our humanity. 00:19:24.379 --> 00:19:24.779 Fully. 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:26.480 And without reserve. 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:29.960 And this king would live. 00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:30.859 His life. 00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:32.420 In utter solidarity. 00:19:32.420 --> 00:19:33.519 With his people. 00:19:33.639 --> 00:19:34.319 The king. 00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:35.680 Would become. 00:19:35.940 --> 00:19:36.539 A subject. 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:41.220 His people lived in obscurity. 00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:42.579 So would he. 00:19:43.379 --> 00:19:45.000 The first 30 years of his life. 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:46.519 He would live in a forgotten corner. 00:19:46.519 --> 00:19:47.440 Of the Roman Empire. 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:48.399 Called Nazareth. 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:50.360 And we all know. 00:19:50.360 --> 00:19:51.700 Nothing good comes out of Nazareth. 00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:51.960 Right? 00:19:54.280 --> 00:19:55.759 The people were oppressed. 00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:56.500 So was he. 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:58.759 The people lived faithfully. 00:19:58.759 --> 00:19:59.780 Under the Mosaic law. 00:19:59.900 --> 00:20:00.420 So would he. 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:01.280 The people faced. 00:20:01.800 --> 00:20:02.800 Accusation and threat. 00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:03.540 So would he. 00:20:03.880 --> 00:20:04.820 And in the most stunning. 00:20:04.940 --> 00:20:06.000 Act of solidarity. 00:20:06.320 --> 00:20:07.019 His people. 00:20:07.100 --> 00:20:08.580 Under the curse of sin. 00:20:09.080 --> 00:20:09.500 Enthralled. 00:20:09.600 --> 00:20:10.720 To the most intractable. 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:11.440 Enemy of all. 00:20:11.560 --> 00:20:12.160 Death itself. 00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:13.080 In solidarity. 00:20:13.080 --> 00:20:13.759 With his people. 00:20:13.880 --> 00:20:15.019 This king too. 00:20:15.180 --> 00:20:15.880 Would die. 00:20:15.880 --> 00:20:19.220 Becoming a curse. 00:20:19.360 --> 00:20:20.640 Becoming sin. 00:20:20.740 --> 00:20:22.100 For his sinful people. 00:20:22.760 --> 00:20:23.520 His people. 00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:24.900 Destined for the grave. 00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:26.000 He too. 00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:27.460 Put in a grave. 00:20:27.700 --> 00:20:28.520 Among the dead. 00:20:32.880 --> 00:20:35.380 But how could his defeat. 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:37.180 Help the defeated. 00:20:38.900 --> 00:20:40.240 How could his weakness. 00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:41.060 Help the weak. 00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:43.860 How could his helplessness. 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:44.780 Help the helpless. 00:20:45.880 --> 00:20:47.720 How could his death. 00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:48.540 Help the dying. 00:20:53.340 --> 00:20:54.220 Imagine you fail. 00:20:54.320 --> 00:20:55.120 To pay your rent. 00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:56.260 Or your mortgage. 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:56.760 Month. 00:20:56.860 --> 00:20:57.460 After month. 00:20:57.640 --> 00:20:58.240 After month. 00:20:58.400 --> 00:20:59.080 After month. 00:20:59.280 --> 00:20:59.920 After month. 00:21:00.360 --> 00:21:00.960 After month. 00:21:01.780 --> 00:21:02.500 Soon the debt. 00:21:02.600 --> 00:21:03.280 Would be so great. 00:21:03.360 --> 00:21:03.960 That eventually. 00:21:05.320 --> 00:21:05.920 Your house. 00:21:06.020 --> 00:21:06.840 Would be foreclosed. 00:21:06.920 --> 00:21:07.620 Or you'd be evicted. 00:21:07.620 --> 00:21:08.420 From your apartment. 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:10.360 You would be driven. 00:21:10.520 --> 00:21:11.100 Into homelessness. 00:21:11.360 --> 00:21:11.960 Into exile. 00:21:12.060 --> 00:21:12.500 As it were. 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:14.780 But what if someone. 00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:15.500 Could come. 00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:17.339 And in your name. 00:21:17.880 --> 00:21:18.759 Pay your debt. 00:21:18.839 --> 00:21:19.380 For you. 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:21.579 Down to the very last dollar. 00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:23.619 What then? 00:21:27.099 --> 00:21:28.839 Well then you could return home. 00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:31.140 The weight lifted. 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:33.000 The price paid. 00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:34.299 The door opened. 00:21:34.299 --> 00:21:34.960 The debt. 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:35.299 The debt. 00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:36.299 The debt. 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:37.299 The debt. 00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:38.460 The debt. 00:21:38.460 --> 00:21:40.519 The debt. 00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:41.299 Of sin. 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:42.000 And death. 00:21:42.200 --> 00:21:42.680 Was paid. 00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:45.240 Not his death. 00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:46.559 He was without sin. 00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:48.059 He didn't have to die. 00:21:49.339 --> 00:21:50.680 It was your death. 00:21:51.680 --> 00:21:52.639 It was your sin. 00:21:53.139 --> 00:21:54.000 And mine. 00:21:56.399 --> 00:21:58.399 And that's why three days later. 00:21:58.500 --> 00:22:00.119 God raised him from the dead. 00:22:00.119 --> 00:22:00.159 God. 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:03.539 In solidarity with his people. 00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:05.059 He paid the debt of sin. 00:22:05.159 --> 00:22:05.739 In full. 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:07.919 And so death could have no longer. 00:22:07.919 --> 00:22:08.799 Any hold on him. 00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:10.059 So he rose. 00:22:12.699 --> 00:22:13.659 Conquering death. 00:22:15.959 --> 00:22:17.779 Death could no longer hold him. 00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:20.539 And it will no longer hold those united to him. 00:22:21.159 --> 00:22:22.919 And it will no longer hold. 00:22:23.459 --> 00:22:25.179 His creation that he has made. 00:22:25.180 --> 00:22:30.299 One day creation's bondage to sin and decay will be lifted. 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:33.680 And all creation will rejoice in its king. 00:22:34.320 --> 00:22:36.860 And until that day like our king. 00:22:37.060 --> 00:22:39.320 We may enter death's gates. 00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:40.680 But like our king. 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:42.799 We will come through the other side. 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:45.539 In victory on the day of resurrection. 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:51.980 Christmas can be so sentimental can't it? 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:56.960 Maybe you thought you were coming to church today to hear a nice little story about gifts 00:22:56.960 --> 00:23:00.440 and presents and favorite slippers and hot cocoa. 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:02.319 Now we're talking about death and resurrection. 00:23:03.059 --> 00:23:04.200 Welcome to Christmas friends. 00:23:05.599 --> 00:23:07.519 There's nothing wrong with traditions. 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:13.660 But I hope we see that Christmas is not merely some annual reminder that gratitude and generosity 00:23:13.660 --> 00:23:15.680 are after all maybe a nice thing to do. 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:18.940 No. 00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:20.100 Christmas. 00:23:20.100 --> 00:23:20.220 Christmas. 00:23:20.360 --> 00:23:21.580 The birth of Christ. 00:23:21.820 --> 00:23:25.400 Was the beginning of the end of sin and death. 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:28.200 And the unleashing of the new creation. 00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:32.220 God has invaded human history. 00:23:32.580 --> 00:23:35.279 And your history need never be the same again. 00:23:36.100 --> 00:23:38.320 The Sabbath of Sabbaths. 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:40.160 The Jubilee of Jubilees. 00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:42.100 Is being proclaimed. 00:23:42.820 --> 00:23:46.180 From the first chapter of Matthew's gospel. 00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:48.320 Down through the rest of the New Testament. 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:49.859 Into church history. 00:23:49.859 --> 00:23:51.220 Right today. 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:52.700 Christ has died. 00:23:53.079 --> 00:23:53.939 Christ has risen. 00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:55.700 And Christ will come again. 00:23:57.539 --> 00:23:59.779 And will you and I live. 00:24:00.099 --> 00:24:02.759 As if what's true is really true. 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:08.079 That our sins can be forgiven in him. 00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:13.159 That our death will not be our dying in him. 00:24:13.160 --> 00:24:17.820 That the evil and injustice of our world does not have the last word. 00:24:18.420 --> 00:24:24.019 That time is not some chaotic string of events but is held in the hands of our faithful God. 00:24:25.540 --> 00:24:27.360 And that the door has been opened. 00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:31.880 And now everyone is invited to come home. 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:33.560 Because the debt's been paid. 00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:39.819 And that's the last thing Matthew wants us to hear. 00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:41.399 In his genealogy. 00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:43.419 Is that this king. 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:45.159 And his new creation. 00:24:45.619 --> 00:24:46.759 Are for all people. 00:24:48.679 --> 00:24:51.759 There are names in this genealogy at first that don't seem to fit. 00:24:53.099 --> 00:24:53.460 Tamar. 00:24:54.940 --> 00:24:55.460 Rahab. 00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:56.720 Ruth. 00:24:57.919 --> 00:24:59.179 The wife of Uriah. 00:24:59.339 --> 00:25:00.379 That is Bathsheba. 00:25:00.380 --> 00:25:03.160 Some of these women weren't Jews. 00:25:03.260 --> 00:25:04.080 They were Gentiles. 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:05.480 What are they doing. 00:25:05.900 --> 00:25:07.040 In the genealogy. 00:25:07.300 --> 00:25:08.220 Of the Jewish king. 00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:11.240 Some were implicated in scandal. 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:16.500 And yet the more we meditate on these names. 00:25:18.540 --> 00:25:19.740 We start to see. 00:25:19.840 --> 00:25:21.120 And we start to become reminded. 00:25:21.120 --> 00:25:22.960 That every name on this list. 00:25:24.100 --> 00:25:25.600 Every single name. 00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:26.620 Tells a story. 00:25:27.160 --> 00:25:28.180 Of imperfection. 00:25:28.760 --> 00:25:30.020 Of moral failure. 00:25:30.380 --> 00:25:31.560 Of weakness. 00:25:32.080 --> 00:25:33.100 And of helplessness. 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:36.140 But each one. 00:25:36.560 --> 00:25:37.000 Still. 00:25:37.840 --> 00:25:38.440 A member. 00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:39.700 Of the family. 00:25:39.960 --> 00:25:40.760 Of the king. 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:43.840 You see. 00:25:43.920 --> 00:25:45.060 Jesus' family tree. 00:25:45.160 --> 00:25:46.140 Isn't for the perfect. 00:25:46.560 --> 00:25:47.720 Or for the powerful. 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:49.120 Or for the righteous. 00:25:49.580 --> 00:25:50.920 Or for the insiders. 00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:52.660 Of the world status. 00:25:52.660 --> 00:25:57.180 The way into this family. 00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:57.860 Isn't. 00:25:58.420 --> 00:26:00.019 By your performance. 00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:01.040 Or your pedigree. 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.779 It's by grace. 00:26:04.380 --> 00:26:05.860 And the invitation. 00:26:05.860 --> 00:26:07.019 Is for you. 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:09.560 To find your name here. 00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:13.420 No matter what your family background is. 00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:15.560 Will you. 00:26:15.560 --> 00:26:17.220 Put your name. 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:19.120 Under the name of the king. 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:21.800 Yes. 00:26:22.380 --> 00:26:23.400 With the weak. 00:26:23.800 --> 00:26:24.660 And the helpless. 00:26:26.039 --> 00:26:27.539 But with the loved. 00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:29.380 And the cherished. 00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:31.240 With the family of the new creation. 00:26:32.600 --> 00:26:34.500 Where the weak are made strong. 00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:37.019 And where the hopeless find hope. 00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:39.120 And where the sinners are forgiven. 00:26:39.119 --> 00:26:41.579 And where the dead come to life. 00:26:44.699 --> 00:26:45.919 The family of the king. 00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:47.259 Isn't always a pretty place. 00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:49.919 Hang around the church long enough. 00:26:49.979 --> 00:26:51.019 And you'll see that's true. 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:54.619 The old creation. 00:26:54.619 --> 00:26:56.159 Still rears its head. 00:26:56.219 --> 00:26:57.079 Amidst the new. 00:26:58.579 --> 00:26:59.439 But the king. 00:26:59.619 --> 00:27:01.159 Still calls us his own. 00:27:02.339 --> 00:27:03.539 And in his love. 00:27:03.659 --> 00:27:04.959 We are moving from death. 00:27:04.959 --> 00:27:06.019 To life together. 00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:11.099 The way into this family. 00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:12.119 Is through faith. 00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:15.000 That is entrusting yourself. 00:27:15.139 --> 00:27:16.160 To the risen king Jesus. 00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:16.980 And his grace. 00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:19.279 Friends. 00:27:19.319 --> 00:27:20.339 Are you ready to become a member. 00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:21.079 Of his family. 00:27:21.839 --> 00:27:22.200 Today. 00:27:25.579 --> 00:27:26.700 And the way forward. 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:27.539 In this family. 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:28.700 Is also through faith. 00:27:29.180 --> 00:27:30.980 That is entrusting ourselves. 00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:31.559 Daily. 00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:32.799 To Jesus our king. 00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:34.240 That by his spirit. 00:27:34.240 --> 00:27:35.799 He would begin to live. 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:37.419 We would begin to live now. 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:38.159 He in us. 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:39.559 We would begin to live. 00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:40.079 Now. 00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:41.799 The new creation life. 00:27:42.440 --> 00:27:43.039 Of faith. 00:27:43.139 --> 00:27:43.579 And hope. 00:27:43.659 --> 00:27:44.139 And love. 00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:47.839 So brothers and sisters. 00:27:48.039 --> 00:27:50.259 Keep trusting in him. 00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:52.819 Because your story. 00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:53.899 Is not over yet. 00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:58.659 This is the book. 00:27:58.680 --> 00:27:59.559 Of the genealogy. 00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:00.480 Of Jesus Christ. 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.259 You know. 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:03.220 Maybe that's not such a bad. 00:28:03.279 --> 00:28:04.139 First line after all. 00:28:04.140 --> 00:28:06.640 Let's pray. 00:28:16.820 --> 00:28:17.420 Lord Jesus. 00:28:17.420 --> 00:28:18.980 As we pause in this moment. 00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:20.280 Before coming to your table. 00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:24.460 We thank you. 00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:25.960 That you have welcomed. 00:28:27.300 --> 00:28:28.500 Sinners such as us. 00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:29.960 Into your family. 00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:32.720 God. 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:33.840 Thank you for cleansing us. 00:28:33.840 --> 00:28:34.340 Of sin. 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.920 Thank you for giving us. 00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:37.539 Your spirit. 00:28:39.079 --> 00:28:39.640 Thank you. 00:28:39.680 --> 00:28:40.600 In this Christmas season. 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:41.319 We can remember. 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:41.980 How you. 00:28:42.180 --> 00:28:43.200 Took on flesh. 00:28:43.200 --> 00:28:43.880 For us. 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:46.600 How you. 00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:47.940 Became a human being. 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:49.319 How you became. 00:28:49.400 --> 00:28:50.900 A part of the human family. 00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:53.819 So that we God. 00:28:55.460 --> 00:28:56.160 Could become. 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:57.200 A part of your family. 00:28:57.200 --> 00:29:00.420 Jesus. 00:29:00.539 --> 00:29:01.059 We thank you. 00:29:01.100 --> 00:29:02.160 And we praise you for this. 00:29:02.840 --> 00:29:03.240 Amen.