Gospel
Matthew 1:1-17
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, 4 Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, 6 Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. 7 Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. 8 Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. 9 Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. 11 Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile. 12 After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, 15 Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. 17 Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations.
Historical Background
Matthew opens his Gospel with a genealogy because he is writing primarily for a Jewish audience. In Jewish culture, lineage was essential—identity, inheritance, and legitimacy were all tied to ancestry.
Genealogies proved one’s place in God’s covenant story. By tracing Jesus back to Abraham and David, Matthew shows that Jesus fulfills the promises made to both. The structure of 14–14–14 generations reflects a Jewish literary technique. Fourteen is the numerical value of the Hebrew letters in “David” (דוד). Matthew is subtly saying: Jesus is the long-awaited Son of David.
The genealogy includes moments of Israel’s glory and shame. Kings, exiles, foreigners, sinners—Matthew shows that God works through all of it.
Women appear in the genealogy, which was unusual in ancient Jewish records. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and “the wife of Uriah” (Bathsheba) all have complicated stories. Their presence highlights God’s mercy and inclusivity.
Theological Context
Matthew’s genealogy is not just a list—it’s a proclamation that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises. His salvation unfolds through imperfect people including liars, adulterers, foreigners,
kings who failed, and people who suffered injustice yet God’s plan moved forward. This reveals a God who redeems, not discards.
Jesus enters real human history. He is not a myth or idea—He is rooted in time, place, and family. God’s salvation is not abstract; it is embodied.
The genealogy points to a new creation. Three sets of fourteen generations symbolize completeness. With Jesus, a new era begins—the Kingdom of God breaking into the world.
Learning Lessons
God remembers His promises. He works slowly but faithfully. His salvation took generations. Even when Israel was in exile, God was still moving. His grace includes the unexpected. Outsiders and sinners are woven into the Messiah’s lineage.
Jesus is the center of history—and the center of our story. Your story is unfolding too. Your past does not disqualify you. God uses broken people to build beautiful things.
Reflection for the Day
Take a moment to breathe and imagine your life as part of a long, sacred story. You are not an accident. You are not forgotten. God has been weaving threads long before you were born, and He continues to weave today.
God is patient with your journey. He is present in your family story—its joys and wounds. He is faithful even when you feel like you’re in “exile.” He is doing something new in you, just as He did through generations before Christ. Let this passage invite you to trust the slow, steady work of God.
From Abraham’s tent to David’s throne,
Through exile’s night and hearts of stone,
Through mothers brave and fathers flawed,
Still moved the quiet hand of God.
A tapestry of broken lines,
A story stitched through ancient times,
Until at last, in humble birth,
Heaven bent low to touch the earth.
O Christ, whose roots run deep and true,
Let grace take root in me anew.
Write my small life into Your plan—
The God who walks with humankind.
Lord Jesus,
Son of David and Son of Abraham,You entered our world through a long line of imperfect people, showing that nothing is beyond Your redemption. Thank You for stepping into human history—and into my own story.
Heal what is broken in my family. Redeem what feels lost, and let Your grace flow through my life as it flowed through generations before You. Teach me to trust Your timing, to walk with patience, and to believe that You are working even when I cannot see it. Write the life You have in me into Your very own story of love and salvation.
Amen.
Gospel Acclamation
O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!
Reflection Source
Conversation with Copilot
