Advent Day 24: Who Was the Son of…

Today, we light the Green, Black, Blue and Gold Candles. The Green Candle represents life and all that Father God created in Christ, Good and Whole. The Black Candle represents the Evil and Corruption of Sin that entered our World through our rebellion. The Blue candle represents the Hope that comes from the Promises of a future Savior and King. The Gold candle represents the birth of the long expected King and Savior.

Luke 3:23–38
“Jesus, …. being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, … the son of David,… the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham,… the son of Shem, the son of Noah,… the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.”

Like Matthew’s Gospel, Luke’s Gospel also includes a genealogy – a family tree – for Jesus. But Luke’s is a little different:

Luke 3:23–38
3:23 Jesus, …. being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, 3:24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 3:25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 3:26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, 3:27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 3:28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, 3:29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 3:30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, 3:31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 3:32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon, 3:33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 3:34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 3:35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, 3:36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 3:37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, 3:38 the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

Luke traces a family line all the way back to Adam – the first man. Along the way we find many familiar names, names that are attached to the promises of the Lord God. Jesus is the “Seed of the Woman” promised in Genesis 3 who would come to destroy the Serpent and His works. He is the “Seed of Abraham” who would bring a blessing to all the families of the Earth. He is the “Seed of David” who will claim David’s Throne and rule an everlasting Kingdom. All that was promised in times past will be fulfilled in Jesus.

Although Jesus did not have a human father – Luke makes clear by saying “it was supposed” that Joseph was His father – Jesus is related to the names on the list. He is human. He is a son. But he is more…

Jesus is the greater David who defeats His enemies not through warfare, but through the power of His self sacrifice in order to establish everlasting peace and a Kingdom that will never end.

Jesus is the greater Judah who was faithful even to the point of death, whose Star has appeared and who will take His scepter to rule the Nations.

Jesus is the greater Jacob who instead of fighting with the Lord God, submitted Himself to His Heavenly Father.

Jesus is the greater Isaac who was sacrificed by His Father so that His blood would bring cleansing to all who trust in Him.

Jesus is the greater Abraham who left His home and security to become human and a blessing to all the families of the earth.

Jesus is the greater Shem who creates a New Family, and new line of Blessing for all those who trust The One True God.

Jesus is the greater Noah who is and will be The One to deliver His people from the wrath to come and bring them everlasting rest.

Jesus is the greater and Last Adam who was tempted and prevailed and so set His people free from sin, death and condemnation.

And more than just the family connections…

Jesus is the greater and true Joseph who has been given all authority over all the Nations so that He can offer his grace and mercy to all…

Jesus is the greater and true Prophet Like Moses who leads His people in Truth and Grace to a New Land, a New Kingdom…

Jesus is the culmination of these genealogies. He is the culmination of all Scripture, of all history. These men, who came before, could ever only be a dim reflection of what this Man would become:

The greater and true Son of God who has come to lead us back to our Heavenly Father…

The greater and true Light who has overcome darkness by His coming….

GOD IS WITH US!