Day 1: Matthew 1

Jesus is the Son of Abraham and the Son of David

Matthew's genealogy shows us Jesus is physically the descendent of Abraham and David and as such able to inherit the promises made to their children in Genesis 12 and 2 Samuel 7. A few surprising additions there such as Tamar, Rahab, Ruth & Bathsheba (called Uriah's wife). All women, all gentiles (in Bathsheba's case she's named by her gentile husband) and all with question marks over their sexual morality. A clue perhaps to Jesus' shock ministry to women, gentiles and 'sinners.' We also see a few surprising things missing such as the Exodus and the return from Exile, in Matthew's timetable it seems as though these are still to come.

After the genealogy we see Him called 'Jesus' because of the mission he will carry out, 'Christ' the expected king of the Old Testament and 'Immanuel' God with Us, the place where we meet God.