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, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melki, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josek, the son of Joda, the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melki, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,

–Parallel Verses:
Galatians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭7‬
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

“So it was thought” — this is another way of saying “conventional wisdom of the day”. The conventional wisdom of the day said that Joseph was Jesus’ father. In saying this, they did not believe that God impregnated Mary through his Spirit. And some had to hold that Mary and Joseph were in sexual relations before marriage. What is fascinating about what Luke does in this genealogy, is that he takes the position he likely knows is false, and does a “Even if?” Even if Jesus was the biological son of Joseph, he would have come from the right genealogy. In actuality, he was in form and function the adopted son of Joseph at birth. This still gave him full rights to David’s lineage, but some might say it did not. But if they did this, they would have to admit that he was God’s Son, as no other father was apparent. If he was God’s Son through immaculate conception, then he also was of royal lineage, but a much more powerful and grand one. In reality, he was both. Both God and man. Both from the lineage of David and conceived by the Holy Spirit. Both born of God and adopted by Joseph.

And this passage in Galatians tells us this story applies to us too … we are part of this story. Jesus, who was at creation and was God, provides us with salvation. We are saved through his perfect sacrifice — his shed blood on the cross which paid for our sins once and for all. And he provides us with reconciliation to God. We are risen with him into relationship with God. Through Jesus, we are adopted sons and daughters in God’s family. And because of this adoption into his family, he has sent us his Spirit to live in our hearts. Since we are no longer bound by sin, or slaves to sin, we are set free. We are set free to live in his Spirit all the rest of our days, if we accept the free gift of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of our lives. And we become co-heirs in his heavenly kingdom.

Many people chase the wrong things in this life. Some chase money, some the “perfectly fit” body, some power, beauty, sports or music skills or fame. But Jesus laid for us an example. All other pursuits are merely a small preparation for the pursuit of our lifetime — the PURSUIT OF GOD! We must accept our rightful position as followers of Jesus Christ. Our genealogy and lineage is found through him into adoption as sons and daughters of the Almighty God of the universe. Our inheritance is safe and secure in heaven. Our ultimate retirement is found there!

Lord, my pursuit is and will be always, first and foremost, after you! Thank you for your great gift of adoption into your family — the Family of God. My name is Joe, child of the living God. And I will hold onto that identity with pride and honor.