Gluten Free & God Seeking

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Do You Skip the Genealogy in the Gospel of Matthew?

      How many times have you read the Gospel of Matthew and skipped the genealogy?  It may look like a boring way to start the gospel record of the Lord's life, but it actually shows us many things like Jesus is the royal descendant of King David.  Witness Lee points out there are five women mentioned in this genealogy--Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary the mother of Jesus.  In Chapter 1 of the Life-Study of Matthew, he points out on page 8 that these five women  show us something very important: 

 "Why does this brief record mention all these women?  They are just our representatives... He is really the Savior of sinners...If we were to write a biography of Christ and there were no biographies of Him in the Bible, we would not dare to write it this way.  We would hide all these impure grandmothers and mention the good names of the good grandmothers such as Sarah and Rebecca.  But the Holy Spirit did not mention Sarah and Rebecca and all the good ones;
yet He purposely included all these impure ones" (Lee, Witness.Life-Study of Matthew. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1977, Print).
      Then he continues by saying that Mary stands out because everyone else recorded in this genealogy was a renowned sinner   The Lord's genealogy purposely includes these women to show us that His heart is for sinners.  

   While reflecting on this passage I thought  about these verses:  Now when He heard this, He said, Those who are strong have no need of a physician but those who are ill...for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners. (Recovery Version, Matthew 9:12-13b)  That touches me because that includes each one of us!  


Other blogs on the Life Study of Matthew:

You can listen to excerpts from the Life Study of Matthew along with excellent commentary by tuning into the Life Study of the Bible with Witness Lee.    

Do You Skip the Genealogy in Matthew?
What is the Focus of the Gospel of Matthew?
What is the Sermon on the Mount Really About? (Part 1)
What is the Sermon on the Mount Really About?  (Part 2)
Why is the Crucial Significance of Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13?
How Does Jesus Calm the Stormy Sea in Matthew 8:23-27?
How Does the Great Physician Heal our Hearts in Matthew 9:12?
Have You Seen the Battle Between the Two Kingdoms in Matthew 12:26-28?
What is the Connection Between the Kingdom & the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:3-23?
What is the Significance of the Parables on the Treasure & the Pearl of Great Value in Matthew 13:44-46?
What is Walking By Faith All About in Matthew 14:22-33?
What Lesson Did Peter Learn on the Mount of Transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-13?
How Does Matthew 18 and 19 Relate to the Kingdom?
What Does Peter's Denial of the Lord Teach us in Matthew 26:69-75?


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