Christmas is just a few days away so there is still time to prepare. For some of us, it means that there is still time to get that last minute gift. With some retailers, such as Amazon, there is still time to have your gift delivered before Christmas. In all the hurried frenzy of the Christmas season, it is good that you are here today to remember the reason for the season. Today, we shall turn our attention to the genealogy of Jesus to learn more about why His birth is worth celebrating.
The King (Luke 3:31)
In the genealogy of Jesus, we read in Luke 3:31 that Jesus is the Son of David. Why is it important that Jesus is the Son of David? As the Son of David, Jesus is the King who rules forever. In 2 Samuel 7, David was the King of Israel and “the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies” (2 Samuel 7:1). David wanted to build a house for the Lord as a sign of his thankfulness, but the Lord had other plans. God said to David through Nathan the prophet, “the Lord will make you a house…I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Samuel 7:11-13). Peter said “God had sworn with an oath to [David] that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ” (Acts 2:30-31). Jesus’ birth is worth celebrating because we need a King who will care for us and help us.
The Blessing (Luke 3:34)
In the genealogy of Jesus, we read in Luke 3:34 that Jesus is the Son of Abraham. Why is it important that Jesus is the Son of Abraham? As the Son of Abraham, Jesus is God’s blessing to the world. In Genesis 12:2-3, Abraham left his home to go to a land that the Lord promised to him. The Lord said, “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Later in Genesis 12:18, the Lord made a covenant with Abraham and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” Paul in Galatians 3:7-9 says, “Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.” Paul continues in Galatians 3:16 and tells us that “the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, ‘And to offsprings,’ referring to many, but referring to one, ‘And to your offspring,’ who is Christ.” He continues in Galatians 3:29, “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.” Jesus’ birth is worth celebrating because without God’s blessing of salvation we would be lost forever.
The Conqueror (Luke 3:38)
In the genealogy of Jesus, we read in Luke 3:38 that Jesus is the Son of Adam. Why is it important that Jesus is the Son of Adam? As the Son of Adam, Jesus is the Destroyer of Death and the Devil. When Adam and Eve sinned against God, death came into the world (Genesis 2:18). Paul wrote, “sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). The Lord told the devil, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall crush your head, and you will bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15). Jesus did what Adam did not do and thus brings us life where Adam brought death. 1 Corinthians 15:45 says, “The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam became a life giving spirit.” Paul, in Romans 5:18-19 wrote: “Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.” Jesus’ birth is worth celebrating because we need a deliverer who will free us from our bondage to sin and death.
The Image (Luke 3:38)
In the genealogy of Jesus, we read in Luke 3:38 that Jesus is the Son of God. Why is it important that Jesus is the Son of God? As the Son of God, Jesus is the image of the invisible God: God in human form. Jesus reveals God to us because He is God. If you ever want to know what God is like, you look to Jesus. Philip, a disciple, said to Jesus, “‘Lord, show us the Father and it is enough for us’. Jesus said to him… ‘Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father’” (John 14:8-9). God the Father spoke at Jesus’ baptism and said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Jesus’ birth is worth celebrating because our God has demonstrated His love for us through Christ.
In the business of the Christmas season, remember the reason for the season: Jesus Christ. His birth is important because He is our King, our Blessing, our Conqueror, and our God. Jesus’ birth is worth celebrating.
First Baptist Scott City, MO 