
As He Came: In Humility
Matthew 1:1-16
December 4, 2022
Jay Haugh
We lack humility.
Humility is reflecting or expressing a state of submission or deference.
Jesus’s incarnation is humble.
Where do we see humility in Jesus and WHY should we embody humility?
The King’s resumé.
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. —Matthew 1:1
Someone special is coming. A Davidic King is coming.
Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, 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. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’” —2 Samuel 7:11-16
A Davidic descendant is coming that will be King of the earth – forever.
“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” —Luke 1:32-33
The Davidic covenant finds its fulfillment in Jesus.
You have said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: ‘I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations.’” —Psalm 89:3-4
Jesus is the Messiah of David. The Davidic King is here!
God’s Mission: God wants the whole earth to know and see His glory.
Redemption to the earth will come from Abraham.
Abraham is nothing special. God’s grace is special.
Jacob isn’t special. God’s grace to Jacob is special.
Judah was a Judas.
and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram. —Matthew 1:3
Judah and Tamar aren’t special. God’s grace is special.
and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse. —Matthew 1:5
Rahab isn’t special. God’s grace toward Rahab is special.
Ruth isn’t special. God’s grace toward Ruth is special.
and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by [Bathsheba] the wife of Uriah. —Matthew 1:6
We’re meant to remember David’s adultery AND murder.
and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. —Matthew 1:8-9
These kings aren’t special. God’s grace is special.
and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. —Matthew 1:11
And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel. —Matthew 1:12
Even in exile, God keeps and preserves His covenant promise.
and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. —Matthew 1:15-16
You’d expect “Joseph the father of Jesus.”
The “of whom” is a feminine singular pronoun, indicating Jesus was born of Mary only – not of Mary AND Joseph.
Matthew wants to make it clear that Jesus is not conceived of Joseph.
Matthew tells us that Joseph gives Jesus the legal title of the throne because he is the husband of Mary.
None of these people are special. God’s grace toward them was special.
God elevates the humble when there is repentance.
God elevates Judah.
The ultimate king, King Jesus, comes through Judah – not Joseph.
God elevates Tamar.
God elevates Rahab.
God elevates Ruth.
God elevates David.
God elevates His Son, Jesus.
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. —Philippians 2:6-11
The Father elevated Jesus because of His perfect obedience.
Jesus was born to do for us what we couldn’t do on our own.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you. —1 Peter 5:6
Big Idea:
Jesus came in humility to do what we couldn’t do for ourselves – exalt us in due time.
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS:
Memory Verse: Philippians 2:6-8
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Read Matthew 1:1-17
Have you ever researched your family tree? How far back can you trace your family? What does knowing your family history tell you about who you are?
How would you expect a god to come to earth? Why do you think God chose to break into humanity in humility instead of with pageantry or power? What does this say about who God is?
Do you find it hard to live a life of humility? What tensions do you experience living a life of humility in the workplace, in your home, or with friends?
What is the Davidic Covenant (see 2 Samuel 7:1-17)? To what is God referring when He promises David a “throne, kingdom and house”? How does this covenant find fulfillment in Christ (see Luke 1:32)? How is Jesus’ kingdom different from that of David’s?
What is the Abrahamic Covenant (see Genesis 15:1-6)? How does this covenant intersect with Jesus and His mission? Who are Abraham’s spiritual offspring (see Galatians 3:29)? What is the importance of this?
Who are the four women mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy? Why do you think these women and only these women are included? What makes their inclusion in Jesus’ genealogy unexpected? How did each of these women show their faithfulness in the Lord?
After reading and understanding the characters in the lineage of Jesus, does Romans 8:28 have new meaning for you? Fill in the blank with your name “
is not special. God’s grace towards
is special.”. How have you experienced/witnessed God’s grace in your life?
What is Matthew trying to convey to his reader by providing a genealogical record for Jesus? Is it important to your faith that Jesus has the appropriate lineage to be the Messiah? How can this passage help you know that God makes promises and God keeps His promises through all generations?