Allow me to begin with some history. Jesus is quite unique because of His ancestry. Now I know in Western culture, we don’t care much about ancestry, except we do. Every election season, people question the ancestry of Presidential candidates. Why? Because the more powerful a position sought, the more one’s ancestry matters.
For some time the Cherokee people have been questioning the Native American Ancestry of a certain United States Senator. Trump sees this senator as a rival, so of course he’s trying to discredit her. But the Cherokee people are concerned because the Senator has claimed a false ancestry to gain political and economic advantage. And worse, they feel she hasn’t used her power to advance the interests of Native Americans.
Here’s my point: Someone’s ancestry doesn’t matter until they begin using their ancestry to lay claim to power over our lives. We don’t care what Joe Schmo claims. But for someone seeking power, authority, or status over us, it’s a whole other story.
Just across the Atlantic, what’s the big news? Prince Ginger, the Red Head, Harry, got engaged to Meghan what’s-her-name? You see, we don’t care on this side of the Atlantic because whoever, or whatever the ancestry of the Royal Family is of no consequence to us! Prince Harry has no more power, status, or authority in our world than Joe Schmo down the street. But if he did, we’d be as obsessed with Prince Harry’s engagement as we are with the birth-certificates of would-be presidential candidates!
Now of course it’s Christmas time. The world celebrates the birth of Jesus. And maybe you care, or don’t care about Jesus. But one reason you should care is because this Jesus is laying claim to far more power, status, and authority than any President, Senator, Prince, or Joe Schmo will ever try to lay claim to. This man Jesus, who claimed to be more than a man… who indeed claimed to be the Son of Abraham, the Son of David, the Son of Man, and the Son of God… desires to lay claim to your very soul.
Jesus' Extraordinary Claim
This Jesus has made the claim that our embrace of Him (as the unique Son of Abraham, David, Man, God)… that our belief in his true identity and true ancestry as both fully God and fully man… determines our eternal destiny. He’s made the claim, that whether we accept Him as the Son of God by faith, determines whether God will accept us (at the end of the age) as his very own son’s and daughters. Jesus claim is that don’t become heirs of God, sons and daughters, by default… that it's only through faith in Jesus, that God can become our Father and we can become God’s children.
You probably didn’t wake up this morning thinking about Jesus’ ancestry. But just because you weren’t thinking about something doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter! There are many things we’re not thinking about any given moment, that could suddenly matter. You might not be thinking about evil gathering in the world, or your health, or your eternal destiny, until suddenly your very soul is demanded. You might not deeply contemplate Jesus’ identity, but that doesn’t mean his identity matters any less.
Our introduction to this Jesus of Christmas comes as a history lesson. Because it’s Jesus ancestry (not only His ancestry, but indeed his ancestry) that enables Jesus to lay claim to our lives. If Jesus isn’t historically “who” He and His first followers claimed, then we should go on about our Christmas without any further concern for Jesus.
Jesus' Unique Ancestry (One in a ?????)
But Jesus’ unique ancestry matters, and it’s our basis for hope. So lets talk about Jesus’ ancestry. When we read the Bible, we find these long lists of “begets.” “So-n-So” beget “So-n-so,” and then that “So-n-so” beget another “So-n-so.” Take for example Luke 3. Luke traces Jesus’ blood ancestry all the way back to Adam and Eve! Luke 3:38 tells us that ultimately Jesus was the “son of Adam,” and that “Adam was the son of God.” Adam is a “son of God” because when God created Adam from dust, God breathed life into Adam the breath of life and Adam became a living soul (Genesis 2:7).
Now genetically, scientists have confirmed, through their analysis of DNA, what the Bible has always declared. Every single man and woman alive can trace their chromosomes back to a single genetic Adam and Eve. We all share a common ancestry with Adam. If you look up your name on ancestry.com, we should all be listed as part of Adam’s family tree. If not, get your money back! If you order one of those DNA kits online, it shows there is a little bit of everyone in all of us. There is no “pure race” or “pure skin color.” In fact were one big genetic, kaleidoscopic, mess. Though we may have different shades and tones we’re all sons and daughters of Adam!
What’s noteworthy about Adam & Eve, is that God promised that even though “Satan would strike the heel of one of their offspring, their own flesh and blood son would utterly crush the head of Satan” (Genesis 3:15). They would have a biological descendent who not only crush the head of Satan, but utterly destroy the power of sin and death itself.
Now when we talk about Jesus being a son of Adam, we’re at the top of the funnel of humanity. The Christ, the Messiah, the crusher of Satan, “the Son of Adam” could have been any one of the billions of humans. But as we go along, with each successive generation, and promise of God, the possibilities narrow.
What makes Jesus unique isn’t the first name in His genealogy (Adam). It’s all the other names that show up in His ancestry! Jesus was the “son of Enoch.” Remember him? The Bible says Enoch was the 7th ancestor from Adam (see Jude 1:14). Hebrews 11:5-6 says, “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
The Significance of Jesus as "Son"
Luke tells us Jesus was the “son of Noah.” Noah was a man who, as the world plummeted into ever-increasing wickedness, and people’s hearts became “only evil all of the time”… believed in God. The Bible tells us Noah’s faith was credited to Him as righteousness, and God saved Noah and His family from the flood!
As we continue along, we find that Jesus was also the “son of Judah, who was the son of “Jacob,” who was the “son of Isaac,” who was the “son of Abraham.” Now these individuals are extraordinary, but the biggest name of them all is Abraham! In fact, when Matthew gives us Jesus’ ancestry in Matthew 1:2, he doesn’t bother with anyone between Adam and Abraham. He jumps right to Abraham: “Abraham was the father of Isaac, the father of Jacob, the father of Judah…”
What is different between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam?
I know. Abraham. Blah. Blah. Blah. No big deal right? Wrong. What does it tell you that the three biggest behemoth religions on earth, all of which are seeking to lay claim on your soul, also claim unique ancestry to Abraham? I hope you are paying attention. Muslims claim to be children of Abraham, as do Jews and Christians. Muslims do not believe in any kind of Messiah. They believe Muhammed was a prophet, who descended from Abraham. But they don’t believe he is any kind of messiah, or Christ, or King, or Lord, or Savior.
Now Jewish people definitely believe in a Messiah. As we speak, they expect a messiah who will be a biological descendent of Father Abraham and King David. In the first century astronomical numbers of Jews embraced Jesus as the Messiah/Christ. But modern Jews have rejected Jesus as the Messiah, and so they’re still waiting. They want their land Israel back (all of it). They want their temple back (all of it). And their eschatological hope is the Messiah is still yet to come.
Now Christians also claim to be children of Abraham by faith. We understand Jesus to be the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed, the One who’d crush the head of Satan and destroy the power of sin and death. **Everything about our faith hinges upon this one biological, historic, genetic, spiritual linkage between Jesus and Abraham. Was Jesus a son of Abraham? Not just of Adam, but of Abraham?
Now keep in mind, if you are going to talk to Muslims and Jews about Jesus, it’s a critical necessity that we demonstrate Jesus is the Son of Abraham. And by the way, this is exactly what the gospel writers do in talking about Jesus. They show us the ancestry, the historical link of Jesus to Abraham.
Jesus as "the" promised Son of Abraham
Now, what is the big deal about Abraham? In Genesis 12:1-3 God tells Abraham, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you. I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you… all the nations on earth will be blessed through you (through your seed… through your offspring).”
Now let me ask. What name on earth is greater than Abraham? Through what person has greater prosperity and blessing flowed into all the world than Abraham? Through whom has the world been more blessed, enriched? In this, the Muslim, Jew and Christian agree that Abraham was blessed of God. But there is a name even greater than Abraham through whom literally all the people on earth (and not just people of one religion or nation or tribe or tongue have been blessed but all people on earth have been blessed)… and that person is the Son of Abraham, Christ Jesus our Lord. It would be a son of Abraham through whom all nations on earth will be blessed… and this is exactly what our gospel declares!
The main issue for Abraham, when you read about him in Genesis, is what about Abraham’s son? Abraham and Sarah were not only childless, but they were old. So when God make this promise he reminds God, “Yea, but I don’t have any children. How can any of this even happen?” And Abraham begins to think, “maybe I ought to take Hagar my slave and have a baby with her…” But in Genesis 15:4 were told that “the word of the Lord came to Abraham and He says (the Lord), ‘This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir. He (the Lord) took Abraham outside and said, ‘Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them… So shall your offspring be.’
Genesis 15:6 says, “Abraham believed the Lord; and he (the Lord) credited it to him as righteousness.” Same as Enoch. Same as Noah. Same as Abraham. Same for us. Abraham falls into a deep trance and the Lord shows Abraham everything that must happen across the span of future generations” (see Genesis 15:12-21).
In Genesis 18, three visitors appear to Abraham. Abraham refers to one of the visitors as “Lord”, and sacrifices a calf for them, and prepares a meal. And then the Lord tells Abraham, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Abraham’s wife thinks its all a big joke, but Abraham rebukes her.
Christ's Sacrifice Foreshadowed
If you’ve ever read the story of Abraham, the most disturbing part comes around Genesis 21. A year later, Abraham and Sarah do indeed give birth to a Son. And as a testimony to God, they name him Isaac which means “he laughs.” Sarah laughed at God, but when she got pregnant, God got the last laugh. Out comes Isaac. Isaac grows and becomes a young man. And no sooner do we meet Isaac and God tells Abraham to take his One and Only son Isaac up on the mountain and sacrifice him!
It’s a terrifying scene. Child sacrifice? What God would allow a son to be sacrificed? What Father could tolerate shedding the blood of His One and Only Son? But just at the last possible moment, as Abraham draws a knife, and is about to thrust it into His One and Only Son Isaac on that altar, God stops Abraham. And he provides a ram, as a substitute for Isaac, that Abraham’s son Isaac may live and that ram die instead.
Now most people when they first hear this story rebuke God. What kind of God would subject a poor father to such agony? But if you think this whole story is about Isaac, and not someone greater, you’re not just missing the point of story you are missing Christ Himself. Because what God was showing Abraham was a preview not just of Christmas, but the Cross, of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. God was giving Abraham a preview of the extent to which He’d shine His love upon the world.
In John 3:16, Apostle John says, “For God so loved the world he sent his one and only Son, that whoever would believe in him would not perish but have eternal life.” In Romans 8:32 Apostle Paul asks, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 5:8, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
The point is that God spared Abraham’s son Isaac, but he did not spare sacrificing His own Son Jesus for sake of the world! You know what is amazing to me? In the gospels Jesus claims to have been the one talking to his own father and ancestor Abraham. Jesus claims to have given Abraham a full preview of exactly how his child, his seed, his Son, the Christ, the Messiah, the Annointed One of God… how through His own life God would bless every person on earth. Abraham’s almost (but never was) sacrifice of His One and Only son Isaac was a preview of our Heavenly Fathers total and complete and sufficient sacrifice of His One and Only son Jesus for the sake of the world.
Jesus Claims to Know and Be Known by Abraham
In John 8, are you ready for this? Its going to blow your mind! It’s going to rock your Christmas! Jesus speaks these words to his haters and doubters. “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son… a son belongs forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your Father.”
“Abraham is our father” they answered! Then Jesus said, “If you were Abraham’s children, then you would do what Abraham did. As it is, you are a looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the works of your own father (another father).”
“We’re not illegitimate children” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.” But Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own. God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him… can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
So WHAM… The Jews answer him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” In other words, they were saying, “You have different blood then Abraham. You’re no Son of Abraham! You’re no Jew” In John 8:52 they say, “Abraham died, and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”
Well Jesus tells them exactly who he is: “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I didn’t know God, I’d be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. Your Father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day, he did see it and was glad.”
Again, the Jews were livid. You’re not yet fifty years old, and you have seen Abraham?” “Very truly I tell you, before Abraham was even born, ‘I am’”
Not only did Jesus claim to know Abraham, he claimed Abraham knew him! The Son knows the Father and the Father knows the Son. The Son knows Abraham, and Abraham not only “knew” his distant son Jesus.. Abraham rejoiced at the thought of Jesus’ arrival and was glad!!!!!
What gives Jesus not just the right, but the ability to lay claim to our lives? It’s because He is the son of Abraham. He’s the promised one, and he’s made a way for us to be sons and daughters of God. It’s our faith, that we believe in this Jesus, the son of Abraham, son of David, son of Man, son of God… that gets credited to us as righteousness. It’s our faith in Jesus that paves the way!
The Gospel and Christmas Today...
Romans 4:18-25: “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”