Matthew 1:1-17

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:” (Matthew 1:1, NKJV)

Each of the four gospels of the New Testament presents Jesus in a different light. Matthew’s gospel presents Him as the Christ, the Son of David. Matthew was a Jew who primarily wrote to a Jewish audience. Fifteen times in his gospel, Matthew pointed out how Jesus fulfilled specific Old Testament prophecies. He wanted to prove to his readers that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah and the rightful heir to the throne of David.

Therefore, Matthew began with the genealogy of Jesus. While this makes boring reading, it was essential to establish His credentials. It is interesting that since AD 70, no one else could have proven that he was a descendant of David because the genealogical records were destroyed.

Through the prophet Nathan, God promised David that He would raise up one of his descendants and establish the throne of His kingdom forever (2 Samuel 7:13). Matthew traced the lineage from Abraham to Jesus in three fourteen-generation segments: Abraham to David; David to the Exile; and the Exile to Joseph, who was the adopted father of Jesus. This gave Jesus the legal right to the throne.

After Christ was crucified, resurrected, and ascended to heaven, He wrote to the church of Philadelphia:

“These things says He who is holy, He who is true; He who has the key of David; He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.” (Revelation 3:7, NKJV)

Jesus has the key of David, meaning that He has been granted sovereign rule. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and all authority has been given to Him. He has not yet returned to earth to establish His reign over human government, but He was born for this purpose, and the title belongs to Him.

We are living in an age when people want “no kings.” They want no one to rule over them; they want to be left alone to do as they please. But the Day of Judgment is coming when they will give an account of themselves to God. Jesus Christ is not only the Son of David who is destined to rule forever, but He is also the Creator and Redeemer of every human. The best decision any of us can make is to bow the knee to Him in reverence and adoration.

“Now therefore, be wise, O kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.” (Psalm 2:10–12, NKJV)