Advent means “arrival” and it’s full of awaiting. In the Old Testament era, the people of God were awaiting the advent of their Messiah, the Anointed One, who would fulfill all of God’s covenant promises to His people.
And two thousand years ago, a baby was born in Bethlehem, Jesus the Son of God, who is called the Christ, the Messiah, and the Hope of all the World. He died on a cross, was buried, raised, and ascended to the right hand of God the Father, from whence He shall return to set all things to rights.
And so too, in the New Testament era, the people of God are awaiting the advent of our Lord and Savior, the crucified and risen Son of God, the return of the King of kings, and Lord of lords, who shall reign forever and ever!
So here we are, in the days between the advents. We are both rejoicing in The King who has come, and longing for The King who is coming.
In this four-part sermon series, we will be digging into Matthew’s biographical account of the coming of Jesus the King.
Matthew begins with an extensive genealogy, documenting Jesus’ ancestral pedigree. This is one of those passages we might be tempted to just skip over when we come to it. But in many ways, this genealogy sets the table for just who Jesus is and what He’s come to do. Like the opening act of a great play or movie, the beginning foreshadows the end.
Why is it so important that we understand Jesus’ connection with Abraham, David, and the Exile? It’s all about who Jesus is and what He’s come to do.
This sermon considers each of these three anchor-points in turn under the headings:
- The Promised Seed: Jesus come to reverse the curse and unleash blessing. All that was forfeited by Adam and Eve, Jesus comes to reclaim. All that was promised to Abraham, Jesus comes to fulfill. This is “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of Abraham.”
- The Royal Heir: Jesus comes to restore the throne and ascend in glory. All that was forfeited by Solomon, Jesus comes to reclaim. All that was promised to David, Jesus comes to fulfill. This is “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David.”
- The Redeeming Servant: Jesus comes to end the exile and begin a new covenant. All that was lost in the Exile, Jesus comes to reclaim. All that was promised in the Servant, Jesus comes to fulfill. This is “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of the Exile.”
Takeaway: Jesus is the Hero we’ve all been waiting for.
Don’t you see, he’s our substitute in every way? In this genealogy, Matthew is foreshadowing who Jesus is and what He’s come to do.
Jesus is Abraham’s “Promised Seed” come to reverse the curse and unleash blessing.
Jesus is David’s “Royal Heir” come to restore the throne and ascend in glory.
Jesus is Israel’s “Redeeming Servant” come to end the exile and begin a new covenant.
He’s the Hero we’ve all been waiting for, and His name is Jesus.
Matthew 1:1-17
