The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

Izithakazelo zakho (Your Clan names) says a lot about your heritage and your family tree. Kwezinye iyithakazelo ( some clan names) give you an idea if one of your ancestors was polygamous you will hear them. From my mom’s side ndinguNyawuza, uFaku, umahlamba ngobende. It gives you an idea that the Nyawuza clan kept lots of livestock the fact that bebegeza ngobende (bathed with the blood of the livestock). Your clan names say a lot about your heritage and your forefathers, those who came before you, . Jesus’s heritage the people in it say a lot about his heritage and who his forefathers were.

Here we see  the ancestral line of Jesus is very impressive as it goes 2000 years from Abraham until the arrival of the Messiah. Their recording of his lineage is quite astonishing. If I can ask how far back can you go to your ancestral line? Many people are very fortunate if they can go beyond 10 generations. Unless you come from the royal family which usually keeps a longer record of their lineage. I asked my mother for her ancestral lineage as she is from the royal Mpondo Nation and she gave me one that goes back to 18 generations.

We see the ancestral lineage of Christ in Matthew 1:1 which starts with very important Jewish figures. Abraham is the Father of the Jewish nation and David is also key as he was a very important king if not the most important king in the history of the Jews. So, Jesus being the Son of David and Son of Abraham is significant as the Messiah which means king or the Anointed One was expected to be a descendant of Abraham and specifically, he had to come from the ancestry of David. It proves that Jesus is credible and a genuine Messiah the one that they had been waiting for.

So, in verse one David and Abraham are mentioned it is to show us that Jesus comes to fulfill the promise of the descendent of David who would establish his kingdom, and the fulfillment of Abraham who would be a blessing to the Gentiles by bringing them into the kingdom. This is good news for me and you who are not Jews as we are also brought into the kingdom of God through Jesus. All are welcomed into the kingdom of God.

First, let me point out the inclusion of women in the genealogy of Jesus. This comes as a surprise because it was rare for women to be included in the genealogy for Jews as they held a very low position in society. The women who are included are interesting as these four are quite scandalous but as we see God’s plan is worked out in the most unexpected even in a controversial scandalous way.

 In verse 3 we see the name of Tamar who seduced his father-in-law by posing as a prostitute. In verse five it mentions Ruth who was a Moabite a foreigner, not an Israelite. In verse 6 it mentions Uriah’s wife Bathsheba who had an affair with David and in verse 5 it mentions the prostitute Rahab is also part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Now, these are not the pinnacle model of an upright citizen in Ancient society. But God works most unexpectedly as he uses the most unlikely people to bring his sovereign purpose. 

Secondly, let us look at some of the men who are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. Some of these men’s character also leaves a lot to be desired. For example, Judah slept with his daughter-in-law who he thought was a prostitute, Abijah and Rehoboam were described as being wicked men. King David arranged for the murder of Uriah an innocent man to cover up for his sin of adultery as he had slept with his wife and impregnated her. While on the other hand, Asa and Jehoshaphat were described as being good kings.

So, it’s a mixture of good and bad people. No one is beyond redemption in God’s plan and to be part of his kingdom which he has come to establish through his Son. God in his sovereign plan used good and bad people in bringing his Son who would eventually save his people through one of the most wicked forms of punishment the cross but through the crucifixion, he would save us who believe in him.

When I think of the type of people who are Jesus’s ancestors and the mixture of them being good and bad people I cannot help but think of Romans 8:22 when the apostle Paul says “ And we know that for those who love all things for good for those who are called according to his purpose”