A New Lineage: The Genealogies of Genesis and Jesus Christ (05/07/'24) -Viewpoint

A New Lineage: The Genealogies of Genesis and Jesus Christ The genealogies found in Genesis serve as the structural backbone for the entire book, tracing the journey from creation to the emergence of the Israelites. Starting with Adam, the genealogies in chapters 4, 5, 10, 11, 22, 25, 29–30, 35–36, and 46 guide the reader through the narrative as it advances from the dawn of humanity to the early days of the Israelite people. In the New Testament, the genealogy of Jesus, which echoes the structure of Genesis, forms the opening chapters of the Gospels of Matthew (1:16) and Luke (3:23). Both genealogies identify Joseph as the last name in the lineage but make it clear that he was not Jesus's biological father. Rather, as the husband of Mary, Joseph’s genealogy is listed, while Jesus's divine lineage is traced back to God, marking the Messiah’s unique origin. Thus, the genealogy of the Messiah commences anew with Jesus Christ, signifying a distinct break between the Old and New Testaments. This new genealogy is characterized by Jesus’s spiritual family and ministry, as he emphasized, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers and sisters?” Furthermore, the Gospel of John introduces its genealogy with a profound theological statement: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God” (John 1:1-2). This statement reinforces that through Jesus Christ, a new lineage and purpose were established to fulfill God's will both in heaven and on earth. Pastor Steven G. Lee (May 7, 2024)