[column parallax_bg=”disabled” parallax_bg_inertia=”-0.2″ extended=”false” extended_padding=”true” background_color=”#e1e4e1″ background_image=”” background_repeat=”” background_position=”” background_size=”auto” background_attachment=”” hide_bg_lowres=”false” background_video=”” vertical_padding_top=”0″ vertical_padding_bottom=”0″ more_link=”” more_text=”” left_border=”transparent” class=”” id=”” title=”” title_type=”single” animation=”none” width=”1/1″ last=”true”]
[column_1 width=”1/1″ last=”true” title=”” title_type=”single” animation=”none” implicit=”true”]
Read Luke 3:21-38 every day this week. This is the account of the baptism of Jesus and His ‘family tree’. This is going to be a tough ask, but each day this week, if possible, choose a different translation and ask God to open your eyes to new revelation from His Word. Look at each name in the list and if you have the time, look them up in a concordance and see if there is any other biblical information about them.
[/column_1]
[/column]
[divider type=”1″]
[/divider]
[column width=”1/1″ last=”true” title=”” title_type=”single” animation=”none” implicit=”true”]
Luke 3:23-38
This passage is too long to reproduce here but please read it if you’ve not done so previously.
Over a month ago, in a previous devotion, I mentioned the importance of the genealogies in the Scripture. They may appear to be a boring list of names to most of us but they are there for a purpose. In Western culture our ancestry is relatively unimportant, but for Israel, there were very valid purposes to keep such accounts.
For example, the Promised land was divided according to tribe and where you lived was determined by your ancestry. Also, in certain circumstances, transfer of property required accurate knowledge of family history. A person who claimed to be a priest had to prove priestly descent and lastly, Royal succession was linked with the Davidic lineage. The Jews kept accurate records of their ancestry because for them it was very important.
There are 2 lists of the genealogy of Jesus in the Scripture. 1 in Matthew and this one here in Luke. Many people have used the differences in the lists in an attempt to discredit the Word of God and to cast doubt on its authenticity. Again, I want to enforce the validity of the Scripture and ask you to throw aside any doubt and hold on to the truth of His Word. If we can’t see things clearly, it’s probably because we’re trying to read with an incorrect prescription in our glasses! If we approach His Word through our culture or through our limited understanding of history, then we’re going to be misguided. Science is ever changing, our knowledge of the world is continually developing and ‘truths’ held when I was young have now been disproved over and over again. His Word says “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”
Matthew’s list is aimed at a Jewish audience and therefore is focused on the lineage from Abraham and makes specific mention of King David. This is really important to the Jews in order to validate the credentials of the Messiah. Luke’s list is intended to be read by Gentiles and so the genealogy is a global one and traces the route back to Adam.
Jesus was referred to in 1st Corinthians as ‘the last Adam’. So, the list in Luke encapsulates that picture – from the last Adam back to the first. We as Gentiles can have a full understanding when we read more in Corinthians: “The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven.” Also, we understand more of God’s plan of redemption using this same analogy: “For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
Looking through this list, we see so many great names, but we also see how Satan has tried to derail the purpose of God. Thanks be to God that the plan of Salvation was fully accomplished through Jesus, the last Adam. Praise God that even though death reigned from Adam, life now reigns through Jesus and we can be made alive in Him.
- As is our normal practice for a Friday, write out the verses of Luke 3:21-23; in your own words as much as possible.
[/column]