November 2, 2017 - - Luke 3:31 Faithfulness

the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattathah, the son of Nathan, the son of David,

Luke 3:31

There are two genealogies listed for Jesus. The first, in Matthew 1, follows the line of Jesus' father, Joseph. Joseph was descended from King David through the line of Solomon. Interestingly enough, in our passage, the line of descent is traced through Nathan, the fourth son of David and Bathsheba, and this has been proposed to be the line of descent through Mary. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born, Incarnate, in the flesh, from His mother Mary.

You will recall that Solomon did not serve God with his whole heart, but allowed his many wives (700 hundred wives) and concubines (300 concubines--this you'll find in I Kings 11:3) to turn his heart to other gods. It is interesting that God preserved Solomon on the throne, God kept His promise to David "I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom." (II Samuel 7:12) So the line of David was preserved, but not through Solomon, but rather through Nathan. I wonder, did Nathan serve our God with more faithfulness? Did the Living God keep His promise to David and build up the house of a humble, godly man in Nathan?

What will you be remembered for by your children and grandchildren? Will it be your humility and love for God? What a great legacy that would be to leave to your descendants!

May God be praised. May Jesus Christ shine through whatever is said or done! May His Spirit keep the faithful believer in the way of righteousness. Amen.