Thursday, October 29, 2009
Matthew 4:1-25
Jesus goes into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasts and then the devil comes to Him at His weakest to try to ensnare Him. It's noteworthy that the devil tries to use scripture against Jesus sometimes, but Jesus always responds with scripture. Just like the devil said to Eve in the garden, "did God really say ...", he takes the word of God and twists it as he attacks Jesus. After Jesus fights off three (complete?) of the devils attacks, the devil departs and angels minister to Jesus.
Jesus also begins his formal ministry in this chapter. He starts with the same call as John the Baptist: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." He also begins calling His disciples. He starts with two pairs of brothers: first Simon and Andrew and then James and John. Jesus begins his ministry in the Galilee, possibly to avoid conflict early with the Jewish leaders. The text says that He saw that John the Baptist was taken into custody so He went to the Galilee. I remember from our trip to Israel, that our guide, Pilar, also pointed out that this was a perfect place for Jesus to minister and have maximum effect. The Galilee was a major trade-route crossroads and he would interact with the most diverse people, both Jews and Gentiles, who would take His message all over the world.
Jesus also begins his formal ministry in this chapter. He starts with the same call as John the Baptist: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." He also begins calling His disciples. He starts with two pairs of brothers: first Simon and Andrew and then James and John. Jesus begins his ministry in the Galilee, possibly to avoid conflict early with the Jewish leaders. The text says that He saw that John the Baptist was taken into custody so He went to the Galilee. I remember from our trip to Israel, that our guide, Pilar, also pointed out that this was a perfect place for Jesus to minister and have maximum effect. The Galilee was a major trade-route crossroads and he would interact with the most diverse people, both Jews and Gentiles, who would take His message all over the world.
Labels: Andrew, devil, Galilee, James, Jesus, John, John the Baptist, Simon, temptation
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Matthew 3:1-17
John the Baptist is introduced in chapter 3 as an itinerant preacher preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah. He preaches repentance and water baptism to Jerusalem and all those around the Jordan and throughout Judea. He also rails against the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Even though he feels unworthy, John baptizes Jesus after Jesus tells him it is fitting and proper to keep in accordance with the scriptures. Throughout these first three chapters Matthew keeps referring to the scriptures and to fulfilled prophecy. The Spirit descends on Jesus like a dove and the Father says, "this is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."
Even though he feels unworthy, John baptizes Jesus after Jesus tells him it is fitting and proper to keep in accordance with the scriptures. Throughout these first three chapters Matthew keeps referring to the scriptures and to fulfilled prophecy. The Spirit descends on Jesus like a dove and the Father says, "this is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."
Labels: baptism, Jesus, John the Baptist, Pharisee, Sadducee, Spirit
Monday, October 26, 2009
Matthew 2:1-23
God works through many peoples and here he works through foreigners from the East who come to Bethlehem to proclaim the Messiah's birth. Who were these Magi? Wise men, astrologers, astronomers, Babylonian, Chinese? I have no idea. Clearly they were under the direction of the Holy Spirit as they came to place where Jesus was born and then avoided Herod on their departure.
Matthew again takes care here to point out the fulfillment of many prophecies in the birth of Jesus. The fact that He was born in Bethlehem and yet was a Nazarene and that He came out of Egypt are all noted here. These three prophecies alone probably make Jesus unique, but when combined with all the other prophecies fulfilled in Him, there can be no doubt that He is truly the one and only Messiah.
Matthew again takes care here to point out the fulfillment of many prophecies in the birth of Jesus. The fact that He was born in Bethlehem and yet was a Nazarene and that He came out of Egypt are all noted here. These three prophecies alone probably make Jesus unique, but when combined with all the other prophecies fulfilled in Him, there can be no doubt that He is truly the one and only Messiah.
Labels: fulfillment, Herod, Magi, Messiah, prophecy
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Matthew 1:1-25
Matthew summarizes Jesus' genealogy from Abraham to Joesph. He breaks the history into three sections each with 14 generations: Abraham to David, David to the exile, and the exile to the Messiah. It's worth noting that the genealogy is not "pristine": Rahab the foreign prostitute is there as is Solomon, a son from the affair David had with Basheeba. God does not look on the outside or on what we once were. Rather, He chooses us independent of those things and looks at our heart.
Matthew also tells of the virgin birth of Jesus. Thus scripture is fulfilled that Jesus is born as the seed of Abraham, in the tribe of Judah, of the Davidic kingly line and yet not by the will of a man but by the Spirit.
Matthew also tells of the virgin birth of Jesus. Thus scripture is fulfilled that Jesus is born as the seed of Abraham, in the tribe of Judah, of the Davidic kingly line and yet not by the will of a man but by the Spirit.
Labels: Abraham, Bathsheeba, David, exile, Jesus, Joseph, Judah, Matthew, Rahab, Solomon, virgin
