Matthew 马太福音 1:1-17, The Genealogy of the King 君王的家谱

The gospel of Matthew starts with the genealogy of Jesus. The genealogy is not just a record of the origin of Jesus. It provides us with a glimpse into God’s Saving Grace, God’s Sovereignty and God’s Salvation. This genealogy can be divided into three parts.
 
《马太福音》一开始就列出了耶稣的家谱。这家谱不但追溯了耶稣在世的祖宗,还让我们看到了神的救恩、主权及救赎。这家谱能分成三部分来看。
 
God’s Saving Grace 神的救恩 (1:1-6)
A careful examination of the genealogy from Abraham to David, we will discover it includes Tamar and Ruth, a sinner and a Gentile. Why should they be included in the Lord’s genealogy? This gives us a glimpse into the grace of God who cleansed them and saved them from their sins.
 
我们若仔细观察亚伯拉罕至大卫这部分的家谱,就会发现他玛和路得这两位妇女的名字;他玛是一名罪人,而路得是一名外邦人。既然如此,马太为什么会在主耶稣的家谱上记载包括她们两个人的名字?这就是神恩典的凭据。神将她们洗净,从罪中拯救了她们。
 
God’s Sovereignty 神的主权 (1:7-10)
The second part of the genealogy runs from David to the exile in Babylon. These were the names of kings from the southern kingdom. Although Judah’s history witnessed spiritual degeneration resulting in exile, God still preserved a royal seed in succession to David and looked forward to the coming of Jesus Christ. This is the sovereignty of God despite Jewish rebellion.
 
耶稣家谱的第二部分,是由大卫作王直到以色列被掳去巴比伦这时段,所记载的名字都是南国犹大君王之名。虽然犹大的历史见证了犹太人属灵上的衰败,以至他们最终被流放,但神仍然保守了整个君王的世系,直到耶稣基督的到来为止。这便显明了即使犹太人不断与神悖逆,神仍然掌管一切。
 
God’s Salvation 神的拯救 (1:11-16)
The third part of the genealogy runs from the time of exile to Jesus. Just as the redemptive history, it opened with redemption from Egypt, so it closes with salvation from Babylon. God did not abandon his people but saved them and brought them back. This illustrates God’s saving work in the world.
 
第三部分则是从流亡时段开启,直到耶稣到来的那一日。这犹如旧约里的拯救史一般,以色列最初得救出了埃及,最终也得救脱离了巴比伦,回到应许之地。神从不弃下他的子民,总是搭救他们,使他们归回自己。这显明了神的拯救。
 
 

 

Praying the Scripture

 
 
Our LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (Ps. 145:8). Is there any sin that you need to confess before him?耶和华有恩惠,有怜悯,不轻易发怒,大有慈爱(诗145:8)。你有什么罪是需要在神面前坦诚并悔改的呢?
 
No matter how difficult your situation is, our Lord is sovereign and powerful. He can bring good out of the situation you are in. So let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Heb 4:16).
不论你的处境有多困难,我们的主是有主权并有大能的。神的旨意原是好的(创50:20),所以我们只管坦然无惧地来到施恩的宝座前,为要得怜恤,蒙恩惠作随时的帮助(来4:16)。
 
Our God is a God of salvation (Ps. 68:20). So salvation is from the Lord. Are you thankful for your salvation? Read Eph. 2:1-23 to remember what kind a person we once were.
神是为我们施行诸般救恩的神(诗68:20)。救恩是从神而来的,你是否为着你的救恩向神献上感恩呢?请阅读以弗所书2:1-23,回顾我们过去是怎样的人,神又如何拯救了我们。