Identity of the King 1: The Beloved Son
For Meditation
Chapters 1, 2, 3 (and 4:1-13) in Luke’s Gospel form an introduction to the gospel message featuring Jesus’ public ministry. In chapter one, the story begins with angelic messages about promised births to Elizabeth and Zechariah plus Mary and Joseph. Luke 2 gives us the amazing birth narrative of Jesus, complete with shepherds and angels and a manger. And then there are two Temple scenes: one with baby Jesus and one with Jesus as a boy.
John the Baptist appears in chapter three as a prophet and a baptizer. He announces Jesus’ coming as Messiah. But then he is arrested by Herod and shut up in prison. The stage now is set for Jesus to begin his ministry in Galilee. Luke has still more to tell the reader, however, as he prepares us to learn about Jesus the rabbi and messiah. First, there is the account of Jesus’ baptism. Then we read a list of Jesus’ ancestors. Finally, in chapter four we will read of Jesus’ testing, or temptation, in the wilderness.
The baptism passage and the genealogy combine to reveal Jesus as the beloved Son. He is a son with God as his Father and he is a son whose ancestors go back to Adam. He has a human history and a divine commission and anointing. What does it mean for us today that the Jesus story reflects both his divinity and humanity? How does the person of this Messiah-King impact his work as God’s sent one? And what is our proper response to hearing and seeing Jesus as the beloved Son?
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Luke 3:21-37
21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” 23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat,
the son of Levi, the son of Melki, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,
25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli,
the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein,
the son of Josek, the son of Joda, 27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa,
the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melki,
the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er,
29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat,
the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph,
the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna,
the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse,
the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,
33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez,
the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham,
the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu,
the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, 36 the son of Cainan,
the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,
37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel,
the son of Kenan.
