Russ' Scripture Reflections: 12/28/24

This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:
Matthew 1:1 Berean Standard Bible (BSB)

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Matthew 1:1 King James Bible (KJV)

This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Matthew 1:1 New English Translation (NET)

This is the record
The phrase "This is the record" introduces the Gospel of Matthew with a formal declaration, indicating the importance of what follows. The Greek word used here is "βίβλος" (biblos), which can mean a book or a written account. This term sets the stage for a document of significant authority and historical importance, emphasizing the Gospel's role as a reliable account of Jesus' lineage and life. In the context of the ancient world, genealogies were crucial for establishing identity, heritage, and legitimacy, especially for Jewish audiences who valued ancestral records.

of the genealogy
The word "genealogy" comes from the Greek "γενέσεως" (geneseos), which is related to "genesis," meaning origin or birth. This term connects the Gospel of Matthew to the broader narrative of the Bible, echoing the Book of Genesis, which details the origins of the world and humanity. By beginning with a genealogy, Matthew underscores the continuity of God's plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament, highlighting Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises to His people.

of Jesus Christ
"Jesus" is derived from the Hebrew name "Yeshua," meaning "Yahweh is salvation." "Christ" is the Greek "Χριστός" (Christos), meaning "Anointed One," equivalent to the Hebrew "Messiah." This dual title affirms Jesus' role as the Savior and the long-awaited Messiah, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament. The use of both names together emphasizes His divine mission and His identity as the central figure in God's redemptive plan.

the son of David
The phrase "the son of David" is a messianic title, deeply rooted in Jewish expectation. It refers to the covenant God made with David in 2 Samuel 7:12-16, promising that David's throne would be established forever. By identifying Jesus as the son of David, Matthew asserts Jesus' rightful claim to the throne of Israel and His fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant. This connection would resonate with Jewish readers, affirming Jesus as the legitimate heir to David's legacy and the promised King.

the son of Abraham
"Son of Abraham" links Jesus to the patriarch of the Jewish people, emphasizing His Jewish heritage and the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham. In Genesis 12:3, God promises Abraham that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." By tracing Jesus' lineage to Abraham, Matthew highlights Jesus as the fulfillment of this promise, the one through whom all nations would be blessed. This connection underscores the universal scope of Jesus' mission, extending God's covenant blessings to all humanity.

Berean Study Bible

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The Book of the Generation of Jesus Christ:

This phrase can be understood as the genealogy or family history of Jesus Christ. The term "book" here refers to the written record or account. "Generation" speaks to the lineage or ancestry.

The Son of David:

This is significant because it ties Jesus directly to King David, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah being from David's line (like 2 Samuel 7:12-16 where God promises that David's descendant would have an everlasting kingdom). This connection emphasizes Jesus's royal lineage and messianic credentials in Jewish tradition.

The Son of Abraham:

By mentioning Abraham, Matthew links Jesus to the very foundation of the Jewish nation and faith. Abraham is considered the father of the Jewish people, and through him, God made a covenant promising that all nations would be blessed through his offspring (Genesis 12:3). This connection not only highlights Jesus's Jewish heritage but also his role in God's plan for universal salvation.

Context and Purpose:

Matthew, one of the four Gospels, was traditionally believed to be written to a Jewish audience. Starting with this genealogy serves multiple purposes:

To establish Jesus's legal right to the throne of Israel via David.

To show Jesus as the fulfillment of both Jewish messianic expectations and God's promises to Abraham.

To set the stage for the narrative of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection as the culmination of biblical history.

This verse thus acts as an introduction, framing the Gospel of Matthew as the story of how God's promises through history come to fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ.

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Messianic prophecies in the Bible are predictions or promises found in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) that Christians believe are fulfilled by Jesus Christ. Here's an overview of some key prophecies:

Prophecies from the Old Testament:

Born of a Virgin (Isaiah 7:14):
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."
This is seen as fulfilled in Matthew 1:22-23 with the virgin birth of Jesus.

From the Line of David (Isaiah 11:1, 2 Samuel 7:12-16):
Isaiah speaks of a shoot coming from the stump of Jesse (David's father), indicating a descendant of David.
The promise to David that his throne would be established forever is interpreted as pointing to the Messiah.

Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2):
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel..."
Matthew 2:1-6 and Luke 2:4-7 recount Jesus being born in Bethlehem.

A Forerunner (Malachi 3:1, Isaiah 40:3):
Malachi speaks of a messenger preparing the way, and Isaiah mentions a voice crying in the wilderness.
John the Baptist is seen as this forerunner in the New Testament (Matthew 3:3, Mark 1:2-3).

Suffering Servant (Isaiah 52:13-53:12):
This passage describes a figure who would be despised, rejected, and suffer for the sins of others, leading to healing and justification for many.
Christians see this as a direct prophecy of Jesus's crucifixion and its redemptive purpose.

Triumphal Entry (Zechariah 9:9):
"Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey..."
This prophecy is linked to Jesus's entry into Jerusalem as described in Matthew 21:4-5.

Betrayal for Thirty Pieces of Silver (Zechariah 11:12-13):
The prophecy of a betrayal price being set at thirty pieces of silver aligns with the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot (Matthew 26:15, 27:3-10).

Silent Before Accusers (Isaiah 53:7):
"He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter..."
This is reflected in Jesus's silence before Pilate and the priests (Matthew 27:12-14).

Pierced for Our Transgressions (Psalm 22:16, Zechariah 12:10):
References to being pierced are seen in the crucifixion narrative, particularly in John 19:34-37.

Resurrection (Psalm 16:10, Isaiah 53:10-11):
Psalm speaks of not allowing the Holy One to see decay, and Isaiah talks about seeing the light of life after suffering. These are interpreted as referring to the resurrection of Jesus.

Interpretation and Debate:

These prophecies are central to Christian theology, establishing Jesus's identity as the Messiah. However, interpretations vary:

Jewish scholars might not interpret these texts as messianic in the Christian sense or might see them fulfilled in different ways or times.

There's debate among scholars, including Christians, about the exact fulfillment or if some prophecies are typological or have multiple fulfillments.

The Christian argument often involves typology (where events or figures prefigure Christ) and a belief in divine inspiration guiding the prophetic writings towards a unified fulfillment in Jesus.

This brief overview does not cover all messianic prophecies but highlights some of the most commonly cited ones in Christian apologetics and theology.

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In Judaism, the concept of the Messiah or "Mashiach" (משיח) literally means "anointed one," referring to someone anointed with holy oil as a king or high priest would be. Over time, this term evolved to denote a future figure expected to redeem and lead the Jewish people. Here are some aspects and figures related to messianic expectations in Judaism:

General Messianic Concept:
The Messiah is anticipated to be a descendant of King David, who will bring about the Messianic Age, an era of peace, justice, and prosperity where Israel is sovereign and Jews return from the diaspora.

Characteristics and Tasks: The Messiah is expected to:

Rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.
Gather Jews back to Israel.
Bring about worldwide peace.
Establish justice and righteousness.
Lead humanity to a greater understanding of God.

Historical Messianic Figures:

Simon Bar Kokhba (Bar Kosiba): Around 132-135 CE, he led a revolt against Roman rule. Rabbi Akiva, a prominent Jewish sage, declared him the Messiah, but after the revolt's failure, Bar Kokhba did not fulfill the expected messianic role.

Sabbatai Zevi: In the 17th century, he declared himself the Messiah. His movement, Sabbateanism, gained widespread acceptance among Jews in the Ottoman Empire and Europe. However, he converted to Islam under threat of death, which ended his messianic claims.

Menahem ben Hezekiah: Mentioned in some rabbinic literature as being born on the day the Second Temple was destroyed, symbolizing a connection between the destruction and redemption.

Abraham Abulafia: A 13th-century Kabbalist who claimed to be the Messiah and attempted to meet Pope Nicholas III to convert him to Judaism, but he was imprisoned and later released without significant following.

Pseudo-Messiahs and Messianic Movements:

There have been numerous figures throughout Jewish history who were proclaimed or proclaimed themselves as the Messiah but did not meet the traditional expectations, leading to disappointment or rejection:
Moses of Crete: Promised to lead Jews back to Israel through the sea, but many followers drowned when they followed him into the water.

Jacob Frank: An 18th-century figure who combined elements of Sabbateanism with his own doctrines, leading to a sect called Frankism.

Modern Interpretations:

Reform and Liberal Judaism: These movements might not focus on a personal messiah but rather on a "Messianic Age" where humanity achieves peace and justice through collective action.

Orthodox Judaism: Still holds to the traditional belief in a personal Messiah, with some movements like Chabad-Lubavitch having seen their leader, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, as potentially the Messiah, though this view is not universally accepted within Orthodox Judaism.

Messianic Judaism: A modern religious movement where participants see themselves as Jewish but believe Jesus (Yeshua) is the Messiah. This group is generally not recognized as part of Judaism by the major Jewish denominations.

Conclusion:
The messianic figure in Judaism has evolved, with different eras and communities interpreting the role and identity of the Messiah in varied ways. While there are common expectations, the fulfillment of these prophecies has been a point of contention and reflection throughout Jewish history. Each potential messianic figure has contributed to shaping or challenging Jewish messianic expectations.

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This is the story (book/record) of the origin (genesis/genealogy) of Jesus the Christ (Anointed One/Messiah), son of David Of the royal family of David the King), son of Abraham (of the family of Abraham, a true Israelite).

It is not outside the realm of probability that most readers of Matthew’s Gospel will jump from this first verse to the eighteenth verse, skipping the long and boring list of names entirely. After all, half the names are barely pronounceable, and who cares about all those forgotten names anyway? It’s a common complaint, if not in actual word, then in thought. Who even cares about all that genealogy stuff anymore?

It is a natural and valid question, but one that has risen out of an ignorance that has only deepened over the centuries, partly due simply to the passage of time, and partly due to long running efforts to cleanse Christianity of its Jewish origins.

Whether or not Matthew, one of the original twelve disciples chosen by Jesus, was the actual author of this book that bears his name is a question we are not going to delve into here. For the purposes of this study, the issue is unimportant. We are concerned with what the author is attempting to teach us. That is quite enough to fill a lifetime.

The period in which this book made its appearance was a time of turmoil in the nascent church. Paul, and the other apostolic writers, dealt with the main issue extensively, that issue being whether one was still a Jew upon becoming a follower of the Christ, or the corollary, if one had to become a Jew upon becoming a Christian. It was a valid question and one that carried with it enormous implications. This Gospel according to Matthew sets out to answer that question by showing that the question really wasn’t a necessary or valid one, or, maybe stated in another way, it wasn’t the right question. Why must there be ‘either/or’ or ‘both/and’?

The story that the writer of Matthew is weaving is that there is only one story, not that a new story begins where the old story ends, an idea that we’ve perpetuated even in the manner in which we’ve divided the Bible. It is, as the author meticulously explains, one continuous and continuing story. Israel’s story is Jesus’ story, and Jesus’ story is Israel’s. Jews and Christians alike have spent centuries attempting to separate the two, but Matthew won’t allow that to happen. Like it or not, Christians and Jews are inextricably intertwined in the same single story.

We can see this begin to be played out in this simple, yet meaning packed introduction. The presentation of Jesus as the son of Abraham, the man God covenanted with to father his chosen people and David, the king after God’s own heart, immediately draws up prophecies and promises made to the people of Israel. All of this is pertinent and meaningful information to a Jewish audience who would have been well-versed in their own scriptures (the Old Testament), the history of God’s salvation, the prophecies of the Messiah, and the promises of the restoration of David’s kingdom.

Russ' Scripture Reflections

Saturday, December 28, 2024

Evening Prayer December 28, 2024

Matthew 1:1

Morning Prayer December 28, 2024

James 1:5

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