June 27th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

WHO JESUS IS – PART 1

Matthew 1:1 “This is the genealogy of Jesus . . .”   

The Gospel according to Matthew begins with the family tree of Jesus. Matthew, in the opening chapter and verses traces for you the ancestors of Jesus all the way back to Abraham of the Old Testament. You will see in this genealogy the familiar names in Jesus’ ancestry in addition to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon ending with Jesus’ earthly parents Mary and Joseph.   

The critical thread that connects the family line of Jesus is the promise of Yahweh that He would send a Savior who would come into the world to rescue sinful mankind from eternal death. The first appearance of Yahweh’s promise to send this Savior is found in Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between Your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel.” This promise was passed on through the generations as recorded by the Holy Writers of the Old Testament.   

God faithfully preserved His promise of salvation. His word through the pen of Moses and the prophets passed it on to give hope to Israel and to all of humanity. It announced His plan of salvation, forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and glory to all who in faith believed what God had promised Adam and Eve after they sinned.   

Through the devotional thoughts based on the Gospel according to Matthew you will see that you are included in the family line of Jesus, not by blood, but by God adopting you out of His grace and mercy into His most holy family. You will be led by the Holy Spirit to say with Simeon, “. . . for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for the glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:20-22) 

Prayer: Grant me Lord eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to believe that Jesus is the one You promised to send into the world to save sinners such as me. In His holy name. Amen. 

Come, Thou long expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us; Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art,
Dear desire of ev’ry nation, Joy of ev’ry longing heart. 

Born Thy people to deliver; Born a child and yet a king!
Born to reign in us forever, Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit Raise us to Thy glorious throne.  (LSB 338)