The Christmas Story (Part 1) | Matthew 1:18-25 Bible Study [Slideshow]

The Genesis of Jesus

The Gospel of Matthew begins “This is the genealogy [Βίβλος γενέσεως | Biblos geneseos] of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham: (Mt 1:1, NIV).” More literally translated, biblos geneseos means “book of genesis.”

After the genealogy, at the beginning of the birth narrative, it reads, “This is how the birth [genesis] of Jesus the Messiah came about: (Mt 1:18a, NIV). And, in a way, this is a new genesis in history.

Part 1

In this lesson, first delivered on Wednesday December 12, 2018 at Alpha Baptist Church in Willingboro, NJ, I focus on Matthew’s account of the genesis of Jesus. Next week, Lord willing, I plan to dig into Luke’s account — which will serve as Part 2.

Main Themes

Here are some main ideas I attempt to emphasize in the lesson:

  • In spite of the difficult situation, Joseph trusted and obeyed God – risking his own reputation. God’s honor is more important than our own honor (Keener)
  • In spite of contemporary messianic expectations, Jesus (a son of David) did not come for political restoration (e.g., the throne of David), but to save his people from their sins (Mt 1:21)
  • As a “son of Abraham,” Jesus’ messianic mission of redemption is for all nations (Gen 12:2-3 cf. Mt 1:1,1, 28:19)
  • In the grand scheme of this magnificent universe, a virgin conception is small potatoes
  • Matthew describes the Genesis of Jesus, who is Immanuel, “God with us” (Mt 1:23, cf. Mt 18:20, Mt 28:20)

Slideshow

Please view and/or download the slides below. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page. Also, please feel free to leave comment or question!

Videos

I doubt the videos that are embedded in the slideshow will be visible above. So, if you would like, please see the video on the Fine-Tuning of the Universe and on the ways in which God is apparently still speaking to people in dreams and visions — especially in the Muslim world — below. Happy Holy Days!

Bibliography

  • Arndt, William, Frederick W. Danker, Walter Bauer, and F. Wilbur Gingrich. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
  • Balz, Horst Robert, and Gerhard Schneider. Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1990–.
  • Blomberg, Craig. Matthew. Vol. 22. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992.
  • Bock, Darrell L. NT211 Introducing the Gospels and Acts: Their Background, Nature, and Purpose. Logos Mobile Education. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.
  • Chamblin, J. Knox. “Matthew.” In Evangelical Commentary on the Bible, 3:719–60. Baker Reference Library. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1995.
  • Cohick, Lynn H. Women in the World of the Earliest Christians: Illuminating Ancient Ways of Life. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009.
  • Doyle, Tom. DREAMS AND VISIONS , Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. 2012.
  • France, R. T. Matthew: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 1. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1985.
  • France, R. T. The Gospel of Matthew. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co., 2007.
  • German, Terence J. “Immaculate Conception.” Edited by Daniel J. Treier and Walter A. Elwell. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2017.
  • Green, Michael. The Message of Matthew: The Kingdom of Heaven. The Bible Speaks Today. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2001.
  • Harris, R. Laird, Gleason L. Archer Jr., and Bruce K. Waltke, eds. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Chicago: Moody Press, 1999.
  • Heer, Ken. Luke: A Commentary for Bible Students. Indianapolis, IN: Wesleyan Publishing House, 2007.
  • Heiser, Michael S. OT281 How We Got the Old Testament. Logos Mobile Education. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.
  • Koehler, Ludwig, Walter Baumgartner, M. E. J. Richardson, and Johann Jakob Stamm. The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1994–2000.
  • Keener, Craig S. Matthew. Vol. 1. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997.
  • Keener, Craig S. The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI;  Cambridge, U.K.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009.
  • Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
  • Manser, Martin H. Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser, 2009.
  • McWhirter, Jocelyn. “Marriage.” Edited by John D. Barry, David Bomar, Derek R. Brown, Rachel Klippenstein, Douglas Mangum, Carrie Sinclair Wolcott, Lazarus Wentz, Elliot Ritzema, and Wendy Widder. The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016.
  • Morris, Leon. The Gospel according to Matthew. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992.
  • Nolland, John. The Gospel of Matthew: A Commentary on the Greek Text. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 2005.
  • Osborne, Grant R. Matthew. Vol. 1. Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010.
  • Qureshi, Nabeel. Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity. Zondervan. Kindle Edition. 2014.
  • Rapske, Brian M. “Rome and Roman Christianity.” Edited by Ralph P. Martin and Peter H. Davids. Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997.
  • Strobel, Lee. The Case for Miracles Zondervan. Kindle Edition. 2018.
  • Turner, David L. Matthew. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008.
  • VanGemeren, Willem, ed. New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1997.
About @DannyScottonJr 458 Articles
Imperfect Servant ✝?⛪ | Husband | Princeton U. Alum | M. Div. | Assistant (to the) Pastor | Sound Doctrine & Apologetics @catchforchrist