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LUKE - Christ, the Savior of the World
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Luke
2. Christ's Baptism, Consecration as Christ, and Genealogy (Luke 3:21-38)
LUKE 3:23-38
23 Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah, 27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er, 29 the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim, 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, 33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Aram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, 36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, 38 the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
The genealogy of Jesus, which contains seventy-seven names, declares that he is the Son of Adam, as well as the Son of God. Jesus’ baptism underlines his divine sonship. However Luke carries the line back to Adam to emphasize Jesus’ descent from the first father of the human race. Both divine and human descent of Jesus have inspired the church with faith that he is true God and true Man.
As a partner of human beings in blood and flesh, Jesus was a man like us. He responded to human ties like any other man, tasted the joys of family relations, and also felt their burdens. Furthermore, he was attached to the destiny of his nation, in language, customs, history, faith, and covenant with God.
Luke shows us clearly that Jesus was not the son of Joseph, as his neighbors thought, but God is his Father indeed. The evangelist traces his descent from Adam who was in a special manner the son of God, being more immediately than any of his offspring, the offspring of God by creation. This demonstrates that Jesus does not only belong to the people of the Old Testament, but also to all mankind. Thus Christ is an international, and not a national, person. He belongs to the whole world and not to a specific country or nation.
Paul called Christ the last Adam beginning with a new generation formed of the children of God. The first Adam who was created in the glorious image of God, lost his privilege because of his pride and disobedience, and became mortal; whereas Jesus, the man who was born of the Holy Spirit was the true Son of God. He continued in humility, made his glory of no reputation, to save evil humans whom he reconciled to God to make them partners in his sonship and in the life of his resurrection. In Christ alone we can be children of God.
Christ began his redemptive ministry when he was about 30 years old. He abstained from marriage, family, ease and prominence choosing instead degradation. He loved his enemies, bore our sins and satisfied his life for mankind. In the fullness of the power of his life as a young man, he made himself an offering acceptable to God. Is this not the perfect type for you; not to live for yourself, but to put your life at the service of God who sends you to spread his message of reconciliation and salvation?
PRAYER: Our Lord Jesus Christ, you are a true God, and a true Man. Help us, sinners, to be children of God, to follow you, and to sacrifice our lives for the salvation of many. Help us to overcome our natural sinful tendencies, and sanctify us that we may bear many fruits of your Spirit.
QUESTION 35: What is the purpose of writing the genealogy of Jesus in Luke’s gospel?