The tendency that I have when I read this Genealogy of Jesus and other Genealogies in Scripture is that I tend to skip or rush through them. My eyes glaze over as I read mostly unfamiliar names and so many names.
So, I wonder why this Genealogy of Jesus is in Scripture.
A first and perhaps the primary reason is stress that Jesus was truly man in addition to being truly God.
Article 19 of The Belgic Confession concludes with this statement: “Wherefore we confess, that he is very God, and very Man: very God by his power to conquer death; and very man that he might die for us according to the infirmity of his flesh.”
The Heidelberg Catechism puts it this way:
Question 15. What sort of a mediator and deliverer then must we seek for?
Answer. For one who is very man, and perfectly righteous; and yet more powerful than all creatures; that is, one who is also very God.
“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:” Romans 8:3.
“Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,” Hebrews 2:14
A second reason is to confirm and remind us that Jesus is “the son of David”, of “the tribe of Judah”, and “the seed of Abraham” Whom fulfills the promises and prophecies of Scripture.
A third reason is to stress that Jesus is part of our family as well. It is not a coincidence that this genealogy follows God’s statement in Luke 3:23: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” If I was God, I would want an exclusive relationship with Jesus and all the glory of having such a Son. I would think: “Jesus is my Son, not your son.” But, God immediately after such a statement, shares Jesus with man by pointing out the Genealogy of Jesus in great detail.
Jesus is our son. In a same way that Adam rejoiced over his relationship with Eve: “… “This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” Genesis 2:23, we all can rejoice with our relationship to Jesus: “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
Jesus is also our brother. “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;” Romans 8:29.
Jesus is also our husband. “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.” Revelation 21:2 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.” Ephesians 5:25-27.
In conclusion, the Genealogy of Jesus reminds us of Jesus’ human nature which was necessary for Him to be our Savior. The Genealogy of Jesus reminds us that Jesus is a fulfillment of promises and prophecies in Scripture. The Genealogy of Jesus reminds us that He is part of our family, our “Redeemer kinsman”, a son of Boaz who was also a type of “Redeemer kinsman”. The Genealogy of Jesus assures us of His love for us. Like a mother who will never stop loving her son, no matter what he does, we can better believe that Jesus loves us, the elect, His family, His brothers, His bride, the church.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 