GOD BECAME MAN - THE FAMILY TREE OF THE LORD JESUS (MATTHEW 1: 1-17)

Dear Members in Christ,                                                                                                                   

God became Man - the family tree of the Lord Jesus (Matthew 1: 1-17)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” John 3:16-17.

These two Bible verses are very familiar with many Christians. Many can quote from memory. The verses are simply the message of salvation. God the Father sent His only begotten Son, the second person of the Holy Trinity, to earth, to be born of the Virgin Mary, to become Man, and, through Him, sinful men, believing in Him, might be saved unto salvation.

Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” John 14:6. There is no other way a sinful man can be saved other than through the Lord Jesus Christ. This is in the fulfillment of the first Gospel message preached by God in Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”

The Christmas Message: What you have just read is the message of salvation. For those of us who are already God’s children, we praise and thank God. For many, who are still outside God’s kingdom of Light, let us pray that they would come to know the Lord Jesus and be saved.

Origin of Sin: God created the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, in total perfectness. There was no sin in them. They lived, walked and communicated freely with God in the Garden of Eden. Adam later fell into sin as he was tempted by Satan, through Eve, when he partook of the forbidden fruit (cf. Genesis 3; Romans 5:12). This fall is also known as the original sin which resulted in Adam being separated from God. All men and women, born after Adam, therefore inherited this sin and are destined for the “Lake of Fire” in the life hereafter unless they are reconciled back to God.

God’s Prescription to Sin: Unless sinful man is made righteous before God (that is to be saved), he can never be reconciled back to God. The word “saved” means redeemed from the original sin. The Bible teaches that to be redeemed is to know and believe in the completed salvation work of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is to “... confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10: 9-10.

God’s only Way of Salvation: God sent the Lord Jesus Christ, to be born of the Virgin Mary, to live and walk among sinful man. The gospel message was personally delivered by the Lord Jesus and later by the Apostles and the disciples. What a privilege for mankind. Yet many rejected and even persecuted Him! Pray that this Christmas season, by God’s grace and mercy, the gospel message of salvation may save many lost souls!

The family Tree of the Lord Jesus: Many may ask “does He actually exist”? The traditional Chinese family has their respective “Family Tree” charted. What is the purpose of a Family Tree? For example, I can trace my earliest ancestors and also connect to the present day relatives. Most of the Chinese clans keep records of their "ancestry" for the purpose of inheritance and "taking care" of one another. In other words, the family tree is a real historical record of actual past and living persons. They even have proposed names for the children of the later generations!

When the Israelites entered the Promised Land, during the time of Joshua, each tribe was allotted portion of lands as inheritance. Individuals who could not trace their respective family lines had no inheritance in the nation of Israel. Thus, the Jews carefully maintain their respective family genealogical records to allow them to identify themselves for certain family rights like the property rights linked to family heritage.

Prophetic birth: The Old Testament, which is the Tanakh for the Jews, records the prophetic birth and coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the promised spiritual Messiah. Yet, with sadness and regret, many Jews do not believe. They were waiting, and still are, for a militant messiah who would lead them into battles to set up an earthly kingdom. Today, the spiritual message of salvation and redemption is now offered to the gentiles!

Key Facts:

1) The genealogy line recorded in Matthew (cf. Matthew 1:1-17) confirms that the Lord Jesus was an actual person born in the nation of Israel. He is real and NOT a myth nor a story figure! The record is filled with historical facts and personal names like Jesus, David, Joseph, Mary, Augustus, Cyrenus and with real places like Syria, Nazareth, Bethlehem, Galilee.

2) The promise of the blessing of salvation was made to Abraham and his seed (cf. Genesis 12:7). The Saviour is from the tribe of Judah (cf. Genesis 49:10); to the line of David (cf. Isaiah 9:7) and to be born in Bethlehem (cf. Micah 5:2). It was promised to Abraham that Christ should descend from him and David. Therefore, unless Jesus is the son of David, and the son of Abraham, he is not the Messiah as promised in time of old. Now this is established in the Jewish record.

3) The Lord Jesus was pleased to take on the human form. He came through God’s chosen vessel, the Virgin Mary. "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14

4) His miraculous conception. There is no human element involved. There is no union of a man and woman. Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit. It is indeed miraculous (cf. Matthew 1:18, 25). The Lord Jesus Christ was born in the form of a human, yet He was perfect and sinless. Jesus Christ is 100% God and 100% Man. “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:7-8.

5) Jesus as God, came to earth to fulfil His role, promised to Adam and his descendants for the salvation of souls. “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Gen 3:15.

6) God’s plan of salvation is for all - the Jews and non-Jews (gentiles), male and female, young and old and all nationality (cf. John 3:16).

Conclusion: Salvation is now offered to the gentiles, that is, you and me. Will you believe and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour? Make this day a reality! Make this Christmas a memorable and significant event in your life. Accept the gift of salvation. Be a child of the true and living God today! Amen.

In Christ,
Eld. Choe Tong Seng