essary for the Holy Spirit to record Josephs genealogy, since he was not actually the father of Jesus. Can you help me on this?” A. The Spirit of God wants to show us* in Luke’s Gospel that the Lord Jesus Christ, coming actually in the human line through Mary, had a natural right through his physical mother Mary. In Matthew the kingly line, residing .in David, is given whereby we find Christ’s legal right to the throne. God marvelously worked these two lines together for the accomplishment of His Messianic prophecy. Q. Eugene, Oregon — “I’ve heard in the past there were not just three wise men who came to visit the Lord Jesus and that they didn’t come at the time of His birth, but when He was several years old. Can you tell me where this idea comes from and which is the ac curate Scriptural mew?” A. We do not know how many wise men there were. The idea of three doubtless comes from the suggestion that three gifts were presented, gold, frankincense and myrrh. In all prob ability the wise men did not come to visit the Lord Jesus Christ on the night of His birth. The shepherds doubtless got there the night of His birth. They found Him still in the manger. When the wise men came we read in Mat thew 2:11, “And when they were come into the house.” We do not know how many days transpired until they ar rived. Q . San Diego, Calif. — “This may be splitting hairs, but it has always con cerned me as to the verse in Hebrews 1:5 which tells of the Lord Jesus Christ being begotten of the Father. Was the Son of God w ith the Father always, or was He begotten of the Father after ‘the beginning’?” A. For a long time theologians have grappled with this entire matter. In the Nicean Creed, 325 A.D. it was made as a positive statement. (This is, incidentally, a quotation from Psalm 26
Radio Questions (continued) of Christ as the Servant. The Messiah is revealed not only as King in the Old Testament but also as the coming Ser vant of the Lord (Isaiah 52). Luke re veals Christ as the altogether human One. He has recorded more parables about man, mentioning more about the affections of our Lord, His human re lationships and the little warm touches of human life. In John’s Gospel we see the Saviour revealed as the Redeemer of the world and as very God. Let us consider it this way. To find out if one has a right of accession to a throne it must be a hereditary one. Therefore Matthew gives Christ’s gen ealogy. Mark is not concerned about a genealogy or a life-line. It is not neces sary for a servant. If someone came to you asking for work you wouldn’t ask who his great, great grandfather was. You want to know how much work he can do; what kind of references he has, and so’ forth. Luke reveals Christ as the One who came into our human sphere and that He is related to us, “flesh of our flesh, bone of our bone, very man of very man.” As far as John is concerned, it is not conceivable that there would be a genealogy for God, for God always was. There is perfect and beautiful harmony in the four Gospels. Q . San Luis Obispo, Calif ---- “Would you please explain the use of the word ‘espoused.’ during the time of Christ? A . In Matthew 1:18 we read, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” The word means “engaged.” It is definitely stated, “be fore they came together.” Mary was espoused to Joseph, but it was before they came together.
Q . Bakersfield, Calif. — “I realize that there are not two conflicting genealo gies of Christ in Matthew and Luke as some people seem to believe, but l ve never quite understood why it was nec
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