“The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (v1).  The author of Matthew, the first New Testament book, begins his account with a genealogy that roots Jesus in history. The most critical element of faith in Christ is that it is grounded not in feelings, religious fads, or charismatic individuals, but in reality.  Jesus was God in flesh. His birth, life and teachings, His death on the cross, and His resurrection are real history, substantiated, witnessed.

“And you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (v21). We are the beneficiaries of something real, God’s act of salvation through Jesus Christ, but only if we believe.