Called To Be Heir
I have been watching a very popular Netflix series called The Crown. It loosely tells the story of the Windsor family, who are the current monarchs of England. One of the things that is very apparent in the series, is the importance of preserving and maintaining the lineage of the royal family and the clear identification of just who is the heir to the throne. While there are many royals in England, there is only one heir to the throne, and that sets him above all except the Queen. In our study this week (Matt. 1:1-6; 16,-17, Heb. 1:1-5), we see that the bible clearly identifies Jesus as the heir and Son of God. He alone was sent with the power to save us. And as heir, He reigns above all others! May God grant you wisdom and understanding in your study of His word.
This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David. (Matt. 1:1-6) Matthew calls Jesus the Messiah. He delineates the lineage of Jesus for the express purpose of establishing that Jesus was in the direct family bloodline through which the Messiah was foretold to come. This would have been very important within the Jewish community to whom Matthew's gospel was written. It establishes Jesus as the true Messiah. The recitation of the lineage begins with Abraham, through whom God originally gave the covenant promise. It includes King David, to whom the covenant promise was made to have a descendant on the throne forever. Jesus is the Son of David who reigns forever!
and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah. Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah. (Matt. 1:16-17) Matthew concludes his tracing of Jesus' lineage by recapping that Jesus descended from Abraham, through the line of David, was preserved even through the captivity of the Jewish people in Babylon and culminated in His birth. Having recited His lineage, Matthew once again calls Jesus the Messiah. Jesus, the Son of Man, the Messiah has come!
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. The Son Superior to Angels For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? (Heb. 1:1-5) The author of Hebrews states that God has used various entities to speak to mankind throughout time. But now He has spoken to us through His Son, Jesus (The Word) v2. And Jesus is superior to anyone that God has sent before Him. Superior to all the prophets, priests and angels that God has used as messengers to man. First, Jesus is the Son and heir of the Father (v2). As heir, The Father has placed all authority in Him. Next, Jesus has power. His power created and sustains all things. His power provided payment of our sin debt, redeemed us and saves us. His power and His status are further evidenced by His position in heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father. The author of Hebrews references The Father had specifically called out Jesus as His Son (vv5-6). That is a higher standing than any angel can claim. There is no doubt...Jesus is the Son of God, His name is above every name, and He has the power to save me!
Maury Povich built a tv career out of establishing paternity for families. God Himself established that Jesus was His beloved Son, in whom He was well pleased (Matt. 3:17). As a result of Jesus redeeming work on the cross, we have been called to receive adoption into the family of God. As adopted children, we have an inheritance of salvation and everlasting life. I'm so glad that I have been called and my relationship with Jesus has made me a child of the King!
