Today’s selected reading is found in the New Testament gospel narrative of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ which was written by the apostle Matthew. More specifically today’s passage is found in the first seventeen verses of the first chapter. “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; and Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; And Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; and Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminidab begat Nasson; and Nassaon began Salmon; and Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; and Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife ofc Urias; and Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; and Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; and Ozias begat Jotham; and Joatham begatn Achas; and Achas begat Ezekias; and Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; and Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: and after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; and Zorobobel began Abuid; and Abuid begat Eliakin; and Eliakim begat Azor; and Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Elius; and Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations;  and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations” (Matthew 1:1-17).

 

            “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS” (Matthew 1:18-25).

 

            THE BOOK OF THE GENERATION OF JESUS CHRIST! Pause for a moment and consider the full weight and magnitude of those words and what they mean—not only within the canon of scripture but also for and within the course of human history. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of the tremendous significance and importance of what is found within the opening verse of the first chapter of the gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew for they present us with the name of the One whom the Law and the prophets had spoken of. What’s more is that not only does this present us with He whom the Law and the prophets had spoken of but also He whom men and women throughout history and throughout the generations had been anticipating and waiting for. Not only this but when you come to the opening verse of the first chapter of this gospel narrative you will encounter the tremendous truth surrounding the actual name of the One whom the Law and the prophets had indeed spoken of. For centuries and generations there was the earnest expectation and anticipation of a Messiah who would indeed come unto the nation and people of Israel for both their Law and their prophets had spoken of and foretold of this One who was to come. For countless generations and centuries there were men and women who lived with this eager expectation of the coming Messiah who would bring about a mighty deliverance and restoration within and among them.

 

            I sit here today thinking about the words which are found in the opening chapter of this gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew and I can’t help but think about the word “Generations” which was mentioned within it. If you turn and direct your attention to the first verse of the chapter you will find the first use of the word “generation” for the apostle Matthew would indeed present us with “the generation of Jesus Christ.” As you continue reading within this chapter you will find the apostle Matthew presenting a lineage of those who existed upon the earth—and not only those who existed upon the earth but also those fathers who would begat sons in their generation. The more you read the words which are found within this passage of Scripture the more you can and will be brought face to face with the awesome and incredible truth surrounding the generations which existed upon the earth from the time of Abraham unto the time of Joseph who would be the father of the Lord Jesus Christ. Of course we know and understand that it was supposed that Joseph was indeed the father of the Lord Jesus Christ and yet Scripture reveals the incredible truth that Jesus was not born unto Mary through intercourse with Joseph. Scripture makes it very clear that Jesus was and would be conceived within the womb of Mary by and through the Holy Ghost as the power of the most High would overshadow her. Oh there is something incredibly unique and powerful when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture when you consider the long list of fathers who begat sons according to the physical and natural order of things but how when we come to the Lord Jesus Christ He was not begotten by and through Joseph.

 

            This use of the word “generation” is truly unique and powerful when you take the time to think about and consider it for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely tremendous reality of the generations which existed in the earth from the time of Abraham unto the time of David, and from the time of David until the time of the Babylonian captivity, and from the time of the Babylonian captivity unto the time of Christ. FROM PROMISE TO CAPTIVITY TO THE MESSIAH! If you take the time to read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture you will encounter and come face to face with the use of the word “generation” four distinct times within the first seventeen verses. Upon reading the words which are found in this passage of Scripture you can and will be brought face to face with the use of the word “generation” four different times—not only in reference to the book of the generations of the Lord Jesus Christ but also in reference to those generations which existed and were present upon the earth from the time of Abraham until the time of Jesus the Christ. The apostle Matthew would go on to provide us with each of the generations that existed from the time of Abraham unto the time of David, those generations which existed from the time of David unto the captivity in Babylon and final those generations which existed from the time of the captivity unto the time of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

            In all reality I can’t help but read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture and not only see a lineage and history of fathers begetting sons but also a lineage and history of generations that would pass on the Messianic expectation within the hearts and minds of the children of Israel. There were a total of forty-two generations which would exist upon the earth from the time of Abraham until the time of the Lord Jesus Christ—that One who would not only be the Son of David but also the Son of Abraham. It is absolutely necessary and imperative we recognize and pay close attention to the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for it calls and draws our attention to the powerful truth of generations which begat other generations—and not only generations which begat other generations but also generations which would pass on and would pass down the earnest and eager expectation and anticipation of the Messiah. There is something truly remarkable about the words and language found in this passage of Scripture for it brings us face to face with forty-two different generations within the earth—each which would exist upon the earth from the time of Abraham until the time of the Messiah who would be born unto and among them. It would be Abraham whom the eternal and living God would call forth from Ur of the Chaldeans to leave his country, to leave his father’s house and to leave all that he had known that he might come unto a land which the living God would show unto him. It would be this man Abraham who would be the starting point of the generations of the Lord Jesus Christ within and upon the earth.

 

            As you study the life of Abraham you will find that he was a man of faith who was indeed considered the Friend of God—one who believed God and it was credited unto him as righteousness. For the apostle Matthew the book of the generation of the Lord Jesus Christ would indeed begin with the person of Abraham whom the LORD would personally appear to and call forth from Ur of the Chaldeans. It would be the living and eternal God who would call forth Abraham from Ur of the Chaldeans to a life of faith, prayer and trust and Abraham would continue walking with the living God and listening to and obeying the word of His voice which would be spoken unto Him. It would be Abraham who would hear and listen to the voice of God to leave Ur of the Chaldeans and come unto a land which would be revealed unto him and one who when Isaac was born unto him would once more hear and listen to the voice of the living God in presenting him as a living sacrifice upon the altar. The life and narrative of Abraham is not only one of faith, trust and confidence but also one of hearing the voice of the living God speaking unto him and following and obeying that voice. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it calls and invites us into that place which the apostle Matthew would consider to be the beginning of the book of the generation of the Lord Jesus Christ. When the apostle Matthew sought to present his readers and audience with the book of the generation of the Lord Jesus Christ—not only did he present it as Jesus being both the Son of David and the Son of Abraham but he also presented that book of the generation of the Lord Jesus Christ beginning with the person of Abraham whom Scripture referred to as the friend of the living God. Oh we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for when the apostle Matthew sought to speak of the book of the generation of the Lord Jesus Christ he chose to begin with and at the person of Abraham.

 

            The more I read the words and language found within this passage of Scripture the more I am brought face to face with the awesome and incredible truth surrounding this concept of “begetting” which is present in the midst of it. You cannot read the words found in this passage of Scripture and not come directly face to face with fathers who would beget sons in their generations and how those sons would grow up to be fathers themselves who would beget sons. For forty-two generations there would be fathers who would be present within the earth who would beget sons within the earth who would themselves grow up in the midst of the earth until the time would come for themselves to beget sons. Perhaps one of the greatest truths found within this passage of Scripture is not merely fathers begetting children but that of fathers begetting sons. In all reality the words which we find here in this passage of Scripture calls and draws our attention to the absolutely incredible truth surrounding fathers begetting sons within the earth from the time of Abraham unto the time of Joseph. For forty-two generations there would be fathers who would be present within the earth who would beget sons within the earth who would indeed be able to pass along the seed of the lineage and history of the nation and people of Israel. For forty-two generations within the earth there would be fathers who would pass the seed of Abraham on through the generations until we come to the time Mary and Joseph and the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

            If there is one thing I find so absolutely incredible about the words which are presented in the first and opening chapter of this New Testament gospel it’s how there were forty-two generations present in the midst of the earth who would beget sons within the earth. The apostle Matthew presented us with the names of fathers and sons who would pass down through the generations the seed that would first be found within Abraham and which would be passed on through the generations until the time of Joseph who was supposed to be the father of the Lord Jesus Christ. Of course we know and understand that Joseph was not the father of the Lord Jesus Christ and was instead a steward of the life of the eternal and only begotten Son of the eternal Father who was in heaven. Scripture makes it very clear that the life of the Messiah would indeed be conceived within the womb of Mary, however, that life would be conceived as a result of the physical and natural union between a man and a woman. It is within the gospel narrative written by the beloved physician Luke we find it written how the angel Gabriel would appear unto Mary and declare that the power of the most High would overshadow her and the Holy Ghost would come upon her thus causing her to be able to conceive the life of the Messiah within her womb. In fact when Jesus spoke unto Nicodemus who came unto Him by night He would refer to the Father as loving the world that He would give HIS only begotten Son, thus suggesting that it was not any earthly man who would beget the life of the Lord Jesus within the earth but a divine and supernatural act of the living God.

 

           

As you read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture you will find in the eighteenth verse the apostle Matthew speaking of the birth of Jesus being on this wise—namely how when his mother was espoused to Joseph to become his wife she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for it helps us to understand the vast and fundamental difference between those generations which would exist in the earth from the time of Abraham unto the time of Joseph and the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. You cannot read the words which are found within this passage and see a stark and powerful contrast between a long history of the physical and natural order as earthly fathers would beget earthly sons according to the physical and natural union of a man and a woman. Each and every one of the sons who was born in the earth from the time of Abraham unto the time of Joseph would be born according to the natural union of a man and a woman within and upon the earth. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for within these generations we find a powerful picture of the physical and natural order of the birth of sons within the earth from the time of Abraham unto the time of Joseph. For forty-two generations there were multiple generations which existed upon the earth who would indeed be a generation of fathers who would beget sons upon the earth—sons who would themselves grow up to become fathers who would beget sons.

 

I am absolutely convinced that in order to truly understand the full weight and significance of what is found within this passage of Scripture we not only need to turn and direct our attention to the words which are found in the fifth chapter of the Old Testament book of Genesis but we also need to turn and direct our attention to the words which are found in the seventh and ninth chapters of the Old Testament prophetic book of Isaiah. Moreover I would dare say we must needs consider the words and language which are found in the first and second chapters of the New Testament epistle written unto the Hebrews. It is in the fifth chapter of the Old Testament book of Genesis we find another record of generations which was present in the midst of the earth beginning with Seth who was born unto Adam and Eve after their firstborn son Cain rose up in anger, jealousy and rage and murdered their youngest son Abel. What makes the words and language found within the fifth chapter of the book of Genesis so incredibly unique is when you consider how the chapter opens up with Moses writing how Adam would beget a son in his own image and after his own likeness within the earth—a drastic and stark contrast from Adam himself being created in the image and after the likeness of the living and eternal God. In fact I am absolutely convinced this is why the Lord Jesus Christ needed to be conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of a virgin for He would not be begotten in the image and after the likeness of any man but would indeed be begotten in the image of the invisible Father which was in heaven. In fact it was the apostle Paul and the author of the epistle written unto the Hebrews who would speak of Jesus being the express image of the invisible God.

 

Having written these words concerning generations of sons being begotten in the image and after the likeness of the fathers who begot them I would like to call and direct your attention to the following words which are found in the fifth chapter of the Old Testament book of Genesis beginning to read with and from the first and opening verse:

“This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and he called his name Seth; and the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters: and all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years; and he died. And Seth lived an hundred and five years, and begat Enos: and Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters; and all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years; and he died. And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan; and Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters: and all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and he died. And Cainan lived seventy years, and begat Mahaleleel: and Cainan lived after he beget Mahaleleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters; and all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years; and he died. And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared: and Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty. Years, and begat sons and daughters; and all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred and ninety and five years: and he died. And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch: and Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters; and all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died. And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah; and Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: and the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years; and Enoch walked with God and he was not; for God took him. And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech: and Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters; and all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died. And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son: and he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed. And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years, and begat sons and daughters; and all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died. And Noah was give hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham and Japheth” (Genesis 5:1-32).

 

Please don’t miss the incredible and tremendous importance of what is found within the fifth chapter of the Old Testament book of Genesis for within it you will find language similar to that which the apostle Matthew used in his gospel narrative of the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostle Matthew would indeed begin his gospel narrative concerning the life of the Lord Jesus by writing and speaking of “the book of the generation of Jesus Christ” while in the fifth chapter we find Moses writing of “the book of the generations of Adam.” What’s more is that not only do we find similar language in the fifth chapter of the Old Testament book of Genesis but we also find additional language that was not included in the first chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew. In the fifth chapter of the Old Testament book of Genesis we find and read concerning the book of the generations of Adam as well as concerning the day that God created man and how in the likeness of God made He them. Moses would write how the living God would create male and female within the earth and blessed them and called their name Adam in the day when they were created. What makes the words which are found in the fifth chapter of this Old Testament book of Genesis so incredibly unique is when you come to the beginning of the generations of Adam within the earth you will find Adam begetting a son in the earth in his own likeness and after his own image. In other words what would begin with Adam himself being created in the image and after the likeness of the living God would now transition to Adam begetting a son in his own image and after his own likeness.

 

I am absolutely and completely convinced we must needs recognize and understand that which is found within the fifth chapter of the Old Testament book of Genesis for not only do we find the book of the generations of Adam who was originally created in the image and after the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ but we also find it written in this passage of Scripture concerning Adam begetting a son in his image and after his own likeness. Whereas Adam was himself created in the image and after the likeness of the living and eternal God he would now begin something that would dramatically shape the generations which would come in the midst of the earth. Adam was himself taken from the dust of the ground and formed by the living God into one who would become a living being within and upon the earth. Scripture makes it abundantly clear that the LORD God would form Adam from the dust of the ground and how Adam would lie there upon the ground as a lifeless being for the breath of the living God was not yet within him. Adam would indeed be formed from the dust of the ground, however, it would not be until the breath of the living God—the breath of the divine Ruah—that would be breathed into his nostrils when he would become a living soul. After the living and eternal God had formed man from the dust of the ground and created him in His image and after His own likeness He would breathe into his nostrils the breath of life thus causing him to become a living soul upon the earth. From that time on Adam would be the image and representation of God within and upon the earth as he would bear the image and likeness of the living God upon the earth.

 

It is with this being said I find it absolutely necessary for us to turn and direct our attention to the seventh and ninth chapters of the Old Testament prophetic book of Isaiah. That which we find within these two chapters presents us with two of the most powerful descriptions and declarations concerning the coming of the Messiah who would be conceived, born and brought forth into the earth. It would be the prophet Isaiah who would indeed foresee and prophesy of the Messiah being born of a virgin and being a Son who would be born unto and given unto us. If the apostle Paul might very well be considered “the apostle of Christ” then I would dare say Isaiah would be considered “the prophet of Christ.” No Hebrew prophet saw more concerning the Messiah and no prophet prophesied more concerning the coming Messiah than did Isaiah who would be present in the midst of the earth. In fact it would be within the seventh and ninth chapters of the Old Testament prophetic book of Isaiah we find two of the most powerful descriptions and declarations concerning the coming Messiah within and upon the earth—that which would further confirm the expectation of the Messiah within the earth. That expectation and anticipation which would be present in the midst of the earth from the time of the Law until that time would further be confirmed and increased by and through the words which the ancient Hebrew prophet Isaiah would proclaim concerning the Messiah. Oh it is with this in mind I invite you to consider if you will the following words which are found in this Old Testament prophetic book beginning with what is contained in the seventh chapter:

 

“Moreover, the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; Ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore the LORD himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. For before the child shall know how to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings” (Isaiah 7:10-16).

 

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase. Of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:6-7).

 

Please don’t miss the incredible significance of the words which are found within these two passages of Scripture for they help frame the expectation of the Messiah which would be manifested within the earth. These two passages of Scripture would indeed call and bring us face to face with the incredible truth surrounding the coming of the Messiah—and not only the coming of the Messiah but also how the coming Messiah would indeed be manifested and brought forth within the earth. The Messiah would indeed be brought forth in the midst of the earth born of a virgin—and not only born of a virgin but would also be given unto us as a son. The ancient Hebrew prophet Isaiah would prophecy and foretell of the virgin conceiving and bringing forth a child while also prophesying and proclaiming unto us how unto us a child would be born and unto us a son would be given. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for the prophet Isaiah gives us some incredible language concerning the birth and the coming of the Messiah. It would be the prophet Isaiah who would declare unto us that the Messiah would indeed be born of a virgin—and not only would the Messiah be born of a virgin but the Messiah would also be born unto us and given unto us as a son within the earth. It would be the ancient Hebrew prophet Isaiah who would indeed and would in fact give us two of the most powerful prophetic declarations concerning the coming of the Messiah within and upon the earth. Oh we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for the ancient Hebrew prophet brought us face to face with the awesome and incredible truth that the Messiah would indeed be born—and would not only be born but would be born of a virgin.

 

The words and language we find in the seventh and ninth chapters of the Old Testament prophetic book of Isaiah must be wonderfully and powerfully considered when seeking to understand the words and language written in the first chapter of the gospel narrative presented by the apostle Matthew. It would be in the first and opening chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew we find him writing concerning the book of the generation of Jesus Christ and would then proceed to present us with forty-two different and distinct generations which would be present in the midst of the earth from the time of Abraham until the time of Joseph who would be suppose to be the father of Jesus of Nazareth. For forty and two generations there would indeed be sons who would be born of fathers and fathers who would beget sons upon and within the earth until the time of the Lord Jesus Christ. It would be the Lord Jesus Christ who would not be begotten of any earthly or natural man or father but would be born of a virgin and be the only begotten Son of the Father which was in heaven. This is something we have great need of recognizing and understanding for it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous truth surrounding the birth of the Messiah which would be unlike any other birth throughout history. Concerning the birth of the Messiah we must needs recognize and understand that His was the only birth in all of history that came not from the natural order of a union between male and female but would come as a direct result of the power of the most High overshadowing Mary and the Holy Ghost coming upon her. It is with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in both the first and second chapters of the New Testament epistle written unto the Hebrews concerning the humanity and divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ:

 

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou arty my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. But unto the son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundations of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation” (Hebrews 1:1-14).

 

“For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain palce testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou cronedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands. Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for ever man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, the also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (Hebrews 2:5-18).

 

Please don’t miss and lose sight of the words which are found within these two passages of Scripture for they call and draw our attention to the absolutely incredible truth surrounding the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ who was indeed the Messiah which was to come. We dare not and must not lose sight of this for it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous truth surrounding the Messiah being the only begotten of the Father which was in heaven—and not only the begotten of the Father but also the express image of the Son of the living God. It would be the author of the epistle written unto the Hebrews we once more find it mentioned concerning the Lord Jesus Christ that He was indeed the Messiah which was the express image of the living and eternal God within and upon the earth. When the Lord Jesus Christ came to the earth and when He was born of the virgin Mary He would not be born nor would He be conceived in the image and after the likeness of man. We know from the words and language found in the fifth chapter of the Old Testament book of Genesis that after the death of Abel Adam would beget a son in his own image and after his own likeness. The book of the generations of Adam would indeed be a book of men and fathers who would beget sons in their own image and after their own likeness. What’s more is that within the fifth chapter we also read of those fathers begetting both sons and daughters—those who would be born and begotten in their image and after their own likeness.

 

If there is one thing that is so incredibly unique and powerful when you think about and consider the words written in the first chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew it’s that the book of the generation of the Lord Jesus Christ would indeed begin with Abraham and would continue on through to David—and not only through to David but also to the time of Joseph who would be supposed to be the father of Jesus of Nazareth. The first half of the first chapter of the gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew would indeed describe fathers who would beget sons and sons who would be begotten of fathers in the midst of the earth—from the time of Abraham unto the time of Joseph. The incredibly unique and powerful truth, however, is when you consider the fact that when it comes to the birth of the Lord Jesus He would not be born in the image and after the likeness of any man who was upon the earth. Just as the Lord Jesus Christ would not be conceived nor would He be brought forth into the earth as a direct result of the physical and natural union of a man and a woman so also would He not be conceived and brought forth in the image and after the likeness of Joseph. Despite the fact that for forty-two generations from the time of Abraham until that time fathers have begotten sons in their own image and after their own likeness the Lord Jesus Christ would not be conceived in the image and after the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh there is something incredibly unique and powerful about this and something we must needs recognize and pay close attention to when considering the book of the generation of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

I sit here today thinking about and considering the words which are found in this passage of Scripture and I can’t help but be brought face to face with the tremendous truth that the Lord Jesus needed to be conceived and born of a virgin for it would be only through His being born of a virgin that He would be able to be born free of the image and likeness of man. Oh we know that Jesus did indeed take upon Himself the nature of man and the nature of the seed of Abraham. We know that the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and how we all beheld His glory—the glory as of the only begotten Father which was in heaven. We know that the Lord Jesus Christ did indeed take upon Himself the form of man for the purpose of suffering and death in the flesh. The apostle Paul, the apostle John and the author of the epistle written unto the Hebrews make it perfectly and abundantly clear concerning the Lord Jesus Christ that He did indeed come in the form of human flesh, however, He would not be born in the image and after the likeness of any earthly man upon the earth. Although Joseph would be supposed to be the father of the Lord Jesus Christ he would not be the father who had begotten him after his own image and after his own likeness. Unlike the other sons within and throughout history who were begotten in the image and after the likeness of their earthly fathers the eternal and only begotten Son of God did not have the image or the likeness of any man upon the face of the earth. The Lord Jesus Christ would indeed be born of a virgin that He would not be tainted nor marred by the seed of man which had been passed down throughout the generations from the time of Adam until the time of Joseph.

 

The more I think about and consider this the more I am brought face to face with the awesome and incredible truth surrounding the Lord Jesus Christ and how He was not only the only begotten Son of the Father but He was also the express image and likeness of the living and eternal God. That which Adam was originally created to bear and represent within and upon the earth would be carried out by the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for it calls and draws our attention to the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ would indeed bear the image and likeness of His true Father who was in heaven. Although Joseph was supposed to be the earthly and natural father of the Lord Jesus Christ he would not be the earthly father nor would he contribute to the begetting of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is something we must needs understand when reading the words which are found in the first chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew. It would be in the first half of the opening chapter we find the apostle Matthew writing and speaking of fathers who begat sons and how those sons would grow up to become fathers themselves and beget sons within and upon the face of the earth. For forty-two generations there would be fathers who would beget sons within and upon the earth until the time of the Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus of Nazareth was born in the town of Bethlehem He would not be born in the image and likeness of Joseph nor would he even be begotten of Joseph the same way that those sons from the time of Abraham until then would be begotten of their fathers.

 

I am absolutely convinced we must needs recognize and pay close attention to the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for the book of the generation of Jesus Christ would indeed begin with Abraham and would continue through the generations until the time of David, and to the time of the captivity, and ultimately until the time of Joseph. With this being said, however, the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ would not be after and according to the same manner as sons and daughters would be born in the midst of the earth. The apostle Matthew would present a long list of fathers who would beget sons in their own image and after their own likeness from the time of Abraham until the time of Joseph. When Joseph son of Jacob would be present within and upon the earth the fulness of time would come and be manifested within the earth and the virgin would not only conceive and be with child but would also bring forth and bear a Son. The name of this Son which was to be born of this virgin was to be JESUS—the name which was given unto Him by the angel Gabriel. In the seventeenth verse of this opening chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew we find all the generations from Abraham to David being fourteen generations, and from David until the carrying away into Babylon being fourteen generations and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ being another fourteen generations. Thus that which we find here is not only the lineage of fathers begetting sons beginning with Abraham but fathers begetting sons in their own image and after their likeness within and upon the face of the earth.

 

The apostle Matthew would indeed begin by writing of the book of the generation of Jesus Christ and would refer to Him as both the Son of Abraham as well as the Son of David. With this being said the person of the Lord Jesus Christ would not only fulfill that which was promised unto Abraham but also that which would be promised unto David as well. What’s more is that when you read the words which are found in the first and opening chapter you will find that Jesus was conceived within the womb of Mary by the Holy Ghost and yet how he would be both the Son of David and the Son of Abraham. Of course we know that Jesus was indeed the only begotten Son of the Father who was in heaven—a reality which would be expressed by the living God which was in heaven at the Jordan River. It would be at the Jordan River after Jesus emerged from the waters the heavens were opened and the voice would speak from heaven emphatically declaring and proclaiming the Lord Jesus as being His beloved Son in whom He was well pleased. Oh if we want to truly understand the person of the Lord Jesus Christ we must needs recognize and understand that He was not only the only begotten Son of the Father—the firstborn of many sons and daughters—but He was also the beloved of the Father. BELOVED AND BEGOTTEN! Oh there is something absolutely wonderful and remarkable about the truth surrounding the Lord Jesus Christ for the Lord Jesus would indeed be that One who would be the only begotten of the Father which was in heaven as well as being the beloved of the Father. We know that Jesus was conceived within the womb of Mary by the Holy Ghost and would indeed be brought forth into the earth as an infant male, however, we must recognize that Jesus was indeed the only begotten Son of the Father who was also beloved of the Father.

 

There is something absolutely incredible about these two words—begotten and beloved—for in that Jesus was begotten of the Father it is understood that He was the image and likeness of the Father which was in heaven. It was absolutely necessary for the Lord Jesus to be conceived of the Holy Ghost within the womb of Mary for it solidified and guaranteed that He would indeed be the express image and likeness of the living and eternal God who was in heaven. When Jesus was born of Mary in the town of Bethlehem in the manger He would not be born in the image and after the likeness of Joseph whom Mary was espoused to be his wife but would indeed be conceived and brought forth in the image and after the likeness of the living God. It is in the famous song “Mary Did You Know” where the author of the song emphatically asks the question of whether or not Mary truly understood and knew that when she kissed the baby Jesus she was actually kissing the face of the living God. When she looked into the eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ and when she beheld Him in her harms she was actually looking into the eyes of and beholding the face of the living and eternal God. What an incredibly powerful truth is found in this particular passage of Scripture for it was indeed absolutely necessary for the Lord Jesus to be conceived within the womb of Mary of the Holy Ghost for only by and through His being conceived within the womb of Mary by the Holy Ghost was He able to be brought forth in the earth as the express image of the Father which was in heaven rather than being in the image and after the likeness of any man within and upon the face of the earth.

 

The more you read the words which are found in the first chapter of the gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew the more you will encounter the awesome and wonderful reality of the Lord Jesus Christ as being the begotten Son of the living God and of the Father which is in heaven. What’s more is that as we will go on to see the voice of that very One who is seated upon the throne in heaven would speak and emphatically proclaim this Jesus of Nazareth to be His beloved Son in whom He was well pleased. This is something we have a great need of paying close attention to for when we consider the narrative of the Lord Jesus Christ we must needs understand that not only was He conceived within the womb of Mary by the Holy Ghost as the power of the most High overshadowed her but as such He was able to be the divinely begotten Son of the eternal Father who was in heaven. When we speak of the Lord Jesus Christ we must needs acknowledge that He did in fact come in the form of human flesh and that He took upon Himself the nature of man. This was something the apostle Paul wrote in the epistles written unto the Philippian and Colossian saints as he would call and draw their attention to the tremendous humility the Lord Jesus Christ exercised to not only lay aside His divinity and the glory He had with the Father before the world began but also took upon Himself both the form and person of flesh and blood as well as the form of the seed of Abraham. It would be as such He would not only be the only begotten Son of the Father as well as the firstborn among many who would be begotten of the Father but also the beloved of the Father whom the Father would express His delight and pleasure in both at the Jordan River and at the mount of Transfiguration.

As I bring this writing to a close I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the words which are found in the first and opening chapter of this gospel narrative. The words and language we find in this passage calls and draws our attention to the book of the generation of Jesus Christ who was perceived as both the Son of David and the Son of Abraham. With this being said it is imperative we recognize and understand that at the very heart of His existence is His being the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father which dwells in the midst of heaven. There were forty-two generations which existed upon the earth from the time of Abraham unto the time of Jesus the Christ which would include a number of kings which would sit upon the throne of David and even continue on through the captivity of the southern kingdom of Judah in the land of the Chaldeans. When the angel Gabriel appeared unto Joseph in a dream he not only instructed him to fear not to take Mary as his wife but also declared unto her how that which was conceived in her was of the Holy Ghost. Moreover Gabriel would declare how Mary would bring forth a son and he would called His name JESUS for He would save His people from their sins. The apostle Matthew would conclude the first chapter of this gospel narrative by quoting the words which the prophet Isaiah had spoken concerning a virgin being with child and bringing forth a son who would be called Emmanuel which being interpreted is “God with us.” At the very heart of the Lord Jesus Christ being the begotten and beloved of the Father was the truth of God being with us, God dwelling among us and God walking among us eventually reconciling us unto Himself by and through the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is for this reason the Lord Jesus Christ would come as the only begotten Son of the Father who was beloved of Him and would fulfill His divine pleasure in the midst of the earth as He carried out His divine will within and upon the earth.