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“1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God — 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures — 3 concerning his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh…”
Paul says this, speaking of the gospel of God, that it is concerning Jesus Christ our Lord. If there is anything we must know about the gospel, it is that Jesus is the linchpin of the entire message. Without Jesus, there is no gospel. Humans are not capable of redeeming themselves from their own transgressions. This process must be completely initiated by, and is reliant upon, God Himself. Paul makes mention of Jesus as being the descendant of David. This is a fulfillment of prophecy, which we previously detailed. (See Romans 1:2, Devotional Jan 8) For a summarized genealogy of Jesus, from Abraham to the birth of Jesus, see Matthew 1:1-17. For a detailed genealogy from Adam to the 12 tribes of Israel, see 1 Chronicles chapters 1-9.
Paul concludes his statement about Jesus’ genealogy from the line of David with the statement “according to the flesh.” (v. 3b) This is an important statement. Jesus is the son of God, fully and completely God, one member of the Holy Trinity. Yet, He was born of a virgin woman, fathered by a man of the line of David, and He is completely man, in the flesh. He was tempted as you and I are, yet remained perfect. John says in his gospel, speaking of Jesus:
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” — John 1:14
The “Word” referred to here is speaking of Jesus. Jesus must be of the flesh, that is human, so that He might identify with us in our weaknesses and sinful temptations.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.” — Hebrews 4:15
Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of what the prophets foretold: A sinless sacrificial Lamb who would die to save sinners and provide salvation to those who repent, confess, and believe. Jesus is Christ the Messiah, one with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, yet human, like His creation. He was tempted as we are, and He suffered as we do.