NOTES for Mat 1:1-25
Does origin matter for spiritual life or not? At first glance, the answer is obvious: of course not. Indeed, when we are talking about a person's relationship with God or with a neighbor, how important is it who his parents are and what nationality he is? Everything here is determined only by these relationships themselves. And the Kingdom is open to everyone who is ready to receive it, regardless of race, nationality, or religion.
And yet the evangelist gives a detailed genealogy of Jesus, beginning with Abraham. Of course, what matters here first of all is precisely that it begins with Abraham: the history of the people of God begins with Abraham. But on the other hand, through Abraham, according to the word of God, "all the clans living on the earth will be blessed." The Messiah was born a Jew, becoming the One through whom the promise God gave to Abraham was fulfilled.
And here the question of origin becomes precisely a spiritual question, not because God has favorites, but because someone must take responsibility for being God's helper in carrying out His purposes, and someone had to be born as the Messiah so that the Kingdom of God would become a reality. One people, one Messiah - for the salvation of all and of each person. And here origin turns out to matter: it obligates. It obligates one to take part in carrying out God's purpose. And to stay on the path that leads to the Kingdom.