Word to the Wise
Thursday, December 17, 2020 - December 17
[Gen 49:2, 8-10 and Matt 1:1-17]The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham....[Matthew] You, Judah, shall your brothers praise....The scepter shall never depart from Judah....[Isaiah]
DECEMBER 17. [Note that a kind of "countdown" to Christmas Eve starts today, so that the term"Wednesday in the Third Week of Advent" loses its real meaning. The real title of the day should be "December 17!" It all depends on when Advent begins!]
[Genesis 49:2, 8-10 and Matthew 1:1-17]
The opening lines of the Gospel According to Matthew are not just the introduction to a long list of unpronounceable [at least to non-Middle Eastern folks] names. They are a theological statement about Jesus' identity. The same thing is true about the first scripture for today from Isaiah that emphasizes the role of the tribe of Judah. The early Christian community knew that Jesus was of the tribe of Judah!. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke make it clear that Jesus was descended from King David, and his descent from Abraham makes it clear that Jesus was a true Jew! {The Gospel According to Luke has a genealogy that differs and takes Jesus back to Adam and creation as the Son of God! Luke 3:23-38]
Those who have an interest in genealogy know how fascinating these family histories can be. Sometimes such things can reveal important data for medical purposes, but usually it's an interest in history or maybe even bragging rights. But, in Jesus' case, it is a matter of identity and credentials! The gospels according to Matthew and Luke (all the gospels, for that matter) are a form of preaching about Jesus and were written in large part to reassure the communities for which they were written that Jesus was, indeed, sent by God in accord with the prophecies from of old. The Gospel According to John takes Jesus' identity back BEFORE creation! [John 1:1-18].
All of this can serve the purpose of taking us beyond the devotional response we can feel at the sight of the nativity scene to a realization of the power of God's plan of salvation. The baby in the manger will become the preaching and miracle-working rabbi from Nazareth, the crucified "King of the Jews," and the Risen Lord from the tomb! The genealogy that we stumble on today shows how God can work in very mysterious ways! AMEN