Today, St Luke presents us with the genealogy of Jesus Christ which stretches from Jesus, the son of Joseph (v 23), to Adam, the "son of God" (v 38). In this genealogy, Jesus is confirmed as a direct descendant of King David, the King of Israel, thus sealing the pronouncement of the angel Gabriel, that Jesus is the heir of "the throne of His ancestor David" (Luke 1:32), Who "will rule over the House of Jacob forever" (Luke 1:33).

In this genealogy, we have a glimpse of Jesus' human ancestors, which proves that Jesus is truly human. Interestingly, the genealogy traces Jesus back to the first human being, Adam, who is described as the "son of God" (v 38). Therefore, Jesus as a descendant of Adam, is also the "son of God" and much more; i.e. through His life, suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension, we now know Him as the Son of God.

St Luke says that when Jesus "started to teach", He was "about thirty years old" (v 23) - an age when the Levites began their service in the Temple (Num 4:3).

For Jesus to have lived for thirty years as a human being would mean that He would have experienced the trials and tribulations of everyday human life. In other words, Jesus would truly be compassionate and understanding of our human dilemmas and temptations.

Furthermore, as we believe Jesus to be the Son of God, we will be able to overcome the world (1 John 5:5); and receive from Him "eternal life" (1 John 5:13).