Matthew 18 "Become As A Child"

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Truly I say to you, except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (v.3)

The disciples were often concerned about the question of greatness. They seem to ask this question thinking that Jesus had already chosen one of them as greatest. Therefore, they wanted hear it from Him who among them would hold the highest position in the administration He would soon establish. His answer was very humbling.   

Jesus set a little child before His disciples (who were arguing who would be the greatest in the kingdom v.1), solemnly assuring them that unless they were converted and became like a little child pure in heart, they could not enter His kingdom.

In Mark’s gospel we are given some insight into this portion of scripture. Mark says (Mark 9:35) that Jesus, before he placed the little child in the midst of them, told them that, "if any man desires to be first, the same shall be last and the servant of all." That is, he shall be the most distinguished who is the most humble, and who is willing to be esteemed least of all.

Little children are (to a great extent), free from of ambition, pride, and haughtiness. They are characteristically humble, innocent and teachable. Jesus is telling His disciples to take on those characteristics, to lay aside their ambitious views and their pride, and be willing to occupy their proper station as a servant. He is teaching them there is no room for rivalry, jealousy, ambition, worldliness, distrust and conceit. That they must turn away from such failings and “Become as little children.”

A good lesson for us all. 

The Truth: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)

Matthew 17 "Jesus Speaks Of His Death And Resurrection"

And while they stayed in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill Him, and the third day He shall be raised again." And they were exceeding sorry. (vv. 22-23)

Here in our text, Jesus reminds His disciples about His future sufferings. He rarely told His disciples about His coming death without also telling of His coming resurrection. We know that the disciples didn’t really comprehend the glorious triumph of the resurrection, because they were "exceedingly sorrowful." 

I think if His disciples would have just listened closer to what Jesus was telling them (that He would raise from the dead in three days), they would not have been nearly so grieved. Their grief was a bitter grief such as non-believers, who have no hope beyond this life when they lose their loved ones. The disciples simply could not (at this point) conceive of life without their Savior being their in the flesh by their side.

Yet Jesus, though He had the power to call upon heaven to save Him from His future agony, was willing to accept what was to come, to suffer and die on the cross for the sins of the world - even though many would reject His deity and His resurrection. 

While none of us will ever face such a death, we will one day face it. And during that moment, or other difficult seasons in life, may we learn to endure the path we must walk, endure the pain that comes our way, and to be content with His will in our lives. For a New Heaven and a New Earth awaits those who believe on Him.

The Truth: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

Matthew 16 “Who Do You Say That I Am?”

 Here in chapter 16 Jesus asks two questions of His disciples; 1) Whom do men say that I am? and 2) Whom do you say that I am? One could ask the first question of people today and get a similar variety of answers His disciples reported over 2000 years ago; a teacher, a prophet, a healer, even a good man.

Simon Peter answered the second question correctly when he responded, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v.16). Typical of Peter, straight and to the point. Anything short of that would have been the wrong answer. 

Today the eternal question remains the same, who do you believe Jesus is? Is He a teacher? A prophet? A good man? Or, is He the Christ, the Son of the living God. Your answer will determine your eternal future.

As we approach the Christmas season, a holiday set aside to recognize the Savior's birth, a time when everywhere you go some will say, "Happy Holidays" but others "Merry CHRISTmas." Do yourself an eternal favor and recognize the One we sing about during this time of year; the "King of kings", the "LORD of lords", Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.

The Truth: “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” (1 John 4:15)

Matthew 15 "Matters Of The Heart"

"Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.” (vv.16-20)

Here in chapter 15 Jesus is teaching on matters of the heart. While doing so He completely disregards some oral Jewish traditions, infuriating the Scribes and Pharisees who stand more on tradition than scripture. Jesus is teaching that, it is more important to wash your heart than your hands. Why? “Because the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9).

The solution to defilement then is to cleans the heart not the hands. As King David wrote in the Psalms we should, "hide God’s word in our hearts, that we might not sin against Him” (Psalm 119:11). How is defilement avoided? By God’s Word, purifying our hearts, certainly not by ceremonially washing our hands.

May we be more concerned with what goes into our hearts and eventually comes out of our mouths, and stand on scripture rather than tradition.   

The Truth: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-2)

Matthew 14 "Keep Your Eyes On Jesus"

Peter said, Lord, if it is you, bid me to come to you on the water. And Jesus said, “Come." But when Peter saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and he began to sink, and he cried, saying, Oh, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, why did you doubt?” (vv. 28-31)

Here in chapter 14 Jesus had just sent the multitudes of people away (who had followed Him out of the city) in order that He might spend some time in prayer by Himself. He had spent the day healing the sick, feeding the Five Thousand from five loaves and two fish, and encouraging/instructing His disciples. Being spent from the demands of the day, He was in need of strengthening His own Spirit through prayer to His father. Therefore, He sent His disciples ahead of Him in a boat to cross the sea and told them He would meet them on the other side. 

Scripture next tells us that some time later, the boat was in the middle of the sea being tossed by the waves and that the wind was contrary (v.24). Then, in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea (v.25). This was somewhere between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. According to Mark (Mark 6:47-52), Jesus came to the disciples walking on the water after they had exhausted themselves rowing against the waves and windy storm. No wonder they thought he was a ghost and cried out in fear (v.26), they were probably delirious. 

Therefore, Jesus immediately spoke to them these comforting words, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." This statement caused Peter to reply, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And we know what happened from there.

The lesson for all of us here is to keep our eyes upon Jesus and not on our circumstances. When we start looking around at our problems we can begin to sink. Every one of us faces daily situations that could sink us, if we allow ourselves to get caught up into our circumstances. We just need to keep our eyes on the Lord, the Master over the wind and the waves of our daily lives. Then, like Peter, who when looking at Jesus was able to walk on water, so shall we conquer our our daily trials in like manner.

Yes we can all become distracted by the wind and waves around us. But, even in our moments of "little faith” God is there, ready to comfort and help His children - Even when we are doubting Him.

The Truth: "If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13)

Matthew 13 "The Parable of The Wheat and The Tares"

"The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while he slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way." (vv. 24-25)

Chapter 13 is often called, The Kingdom Parables. Parables generally teach one main point or principle. The idea behind the word parable is “to throw alongside of.” It is a story thrown alongside the truth intended to teach. Parables have been called “earthly stories with a heavenly meaning.” A parable is not an allegory; an allegory is a story in which every possible detail has an inner meaning; but an allegory has to be read and studied; a parable is heard. We must be very careful not to make allegories of the parables. 

One of the parables spoken by Jesus here in chapter 13 is the parable of “The Wheat and the Tares” (vv. 24-30), a story many in an Agrarian society could identify with. The good wheat coexisting along side with the bad tares sowed by an enemy. And the wisdom of the master in allowing them both to grow together until harvest time, at which point the difference would be manifested. The tares then would be gathered into bundles and burned, but the wheat would be gathered and placed into the barn. 

In this parable the field is the world, the wheat the sons of the kingdom, and the tears are the sons of the wicked one. This world was created (planted) by God and for His good pleasure, and He (the master) has allowed the good to flourish along with the bad in it. However, like all creation, this world will have an end. Then, at the end of days, there will be a great harvest-day, a day of judgment. During that harvest, all is ripe and ready to be cut down. Some to be burned with fire, while others will be gathered and placed into His Kingdom.

At that time, better to be the wheat than the tares.

The Truth: And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” (Revelation 14:15)

Matthew 12 "The Unpardonable Sin"

"He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.” (vv.30-32)

Here in our text, Jesus removed any illusions about a neutral response to Him or His work. If one is not for Him, then that one is against Him. If one does not work with Jesus, by either active opposition or passive disregard, that one works against Jesus (he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad). 

Next Jesus solemnly warned the religious leaders against rejecting Him. Their rejection of Jesus – especially considering what they had seen of Him and His work – showed that they were completely rejecting the Holy Spirit’s ministry. That ministry is to testify of Jesus, "He will testify of Me" (John 15:26), hence the warning of committing the unforgivable sin (which is fatal). 

The eternal consequences of this sin force us to regard it seriously. Therefore, how can one know if they have in fact blasphemed the Holy Spirit? The fact that one desires Jesus at all shows that they are not guilty of this sin. Yet continued rejection of Jesus makes us more hardened against Him and puts us on the path of a full and final rejection of Him. 

The work of the Holy Spirit is to convict men of their sin, by revealing to man the answer for his sin, Jesus Christ. God has made only one provision for our forgiveness, one provision for the putting away of our sin, and that provision is in and through His Son. The Spirit of God then comes to bear witness of this fact to us. If one continually refuses that work of the Holy Spirit in their heart, there is no forgiveness. And without His forgiveness of our sin we are doomed. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our LORD" (Romans 6:23).  

The Truth: “There is no other name (Jesus Christ) given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12 ).

Matthew 11 "Have Faith In God"

 Jesus said unto them, "Have Faith In God.” (v.22)

Here in chapter 11 Jesus was teaching his disciples to have faith in God to accomplish those things which seem beyond man's capabilities. This short statement literally means, have the faith of God - full, perfect, effectual faith. No doubts, no fears, just an unwavering confidence in the agent doing the work – God.

Jesus said, "Come unto to Me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). By allowing Him to shoulder our burdens, it not only lightens our load, but gives us peace and rest in our souls knowing He is faithful.

Therefore, the next time you find yourself struggling behind the plow of life, exercise your faith in God by displaying your unwavering confidence in Him, to accomplish those things which are beyond your control.

The Truth: "Our God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think." (Ephesians 3:20)

Matthew 10 “Where Do You Stand?”

“Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.” (vv. 32-33)

One day we will all stand before God, but those who have stood for Christ here on earth, will not stand alone before God in heaven. Those who have confessed Jesus Christ before men, when their name is called to stand before God, Jesus will step forth and confess them before the Father. As Jude said of Jesus, "To Him (give glory) who is able to keep us from stumbling, and to present us "faultless" before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 1:24).

However, if a person denied Jesus Christ before men, they will stand alone before God. And in that sobering moment may even turn to Him and say, "Lord, Lord," but He will shake His head and say, "I never knew you.” Wow! what a fearful thing to stand before the living God with no advocate. Better to confess Him now, willingly, and save your soul, than to confess later, on your knees, before the living God, and have no advocate to save you from eternal judgment.

The Truth:  "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” (Romans 14:11)

Matthew 9 "Be Ready When He Calls"

"Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the LORD of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (vv. 37-38)

Jesus saw the greatness of human need as an opportunity, as a harvest that was plentiful. A harvest is a good thing, and this was a plentiful harvest. But it was also a harvest that needed laborers. The good of a harvest can go to waste if there are no laborers to take advantage of the bounty. Jesus warned us that opportunities to meet human need and bring people into His kingdom may be wasted because of a shortage of laborers.

Since the harvest belongs to the Lord of the harvest, we are commanded to pray that He would compel workers to reap His harvest. This is a prayer we must pray, but we can only pray it honestly if we pray with an ear open to hearing Him tell us, “You go into the harvest.”

God has a purpose and a plan for every single person He has ever created. He wants to use all of us to reach out and touch the peoples lives that we come in contact with every day, so we can help point them to Jesus. There are so many people in this world who are hurting and they are searching for answers in all the wrong places.

If we are listening carefully, we might just hear God asking us to be the one who brings the Truth to them. Let’s choose today to start saying, “Here I am Lord, send me!” and allow Him to use us however He sees fit. So let’s be ready when He calls us.

The Truth: "In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and earthenware, and some for honorable use, some for dishonor. If any one purifies himself from what is dishonorable, then he will be a vessel for noble use, consecrated and useful to the master of the house, ready for any good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21-22)

Matthew 8 "Jesus Sent Away"

 "When they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their coast.” (v.34)

Chapter 8 now picks up His story after He came down from the mountain. Having just proclaimed the kingdom of God was at hand to many through the sermon on the mount, He begins to show what it will be like during the kingdom age through a series of miracles. Jesus, through the power of His spoken word cleanses a man of leprosy (vv.1-4), healed a paralyzed servant of a centurion (vv. 5-13), healed Peter’s mother of a feverish sickness (vv.14-15), healed many who were demon possessed (vv. 16-17), and calmed the wind and the waves by His command, while He and His disciples were in a boat during a great tempest at sea (vv. 23-26).

Now once they had safely crossed the sea of Galilee, they landed at the Country of the Gergesenes, a place on the eastern side of the Sea. There, two men (probably greeks) came out of the tombs who were demon possessed, and came face to face with Jesus. The men were so exceedingly fierce, that no one from the local area dared pass by those tombs. Then suddenly they cried out, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before “the time” (vv.28-29)?

Wow! The multitudes did not recognize who He was, those He helped saw Him as a healer or a teacher. His own disciples wondered what manner of man He was that the wind and the waves obeyed His voice. But the demons who possessed the two men (greeks) from Gergesenes, knew exactly who He was, and feared what He might do to them before "their time.” So rather than becoming un-embodied spirits, the demons begged Jesus saying, “If you cast us out, permit us to go into the heard of swine" (near by). And He said to them, “Go” (vv. 28-32). Then suddenly, "the whole heard of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the water" (v.32).

Scripture does not record the two liberated men’s reaction to this event. But, it does record the reaction of those who were tending the swine. They went into the city and told everything they saw, including what happened to the two demon possessed men. Then the whole city came out to meet Jesus, and "when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their coast” (v. 34). I guess they cared more about their business of pig farming (most likely illegal in that area of the world), than what Jesus had done for their countrymen. So sad when people, companies, bureaucracies, and even churches, care more about their bottom line than one of their own. 

However, just as the liberation of two lives from demon possession is a far greater to God than a heard of swine, so too is the liberation of your soul greater to God than anything else to Him, and it gives cause for much celebration in heaven. All are equally important to God, so much so that He sent His only Son to die a sacrificial death on the cross that whosoever believed upon Him would have eternal life (John 3:16). Jesus Himself said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; If any man hear My voice, and opens the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him and he with Me" (Revelation 3:30). 

Therefore, when Jesus comes knocking on the door of your heart, do not send Him away, let Him in. You will be eternally grateful! 

The Truth: "I say unto you, that joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety-nine just persons, which need no repentance."

Matthew 7 “Avoid Hypocrisy”

 "You hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of your own eye; and then shall you see clearly to cast out the speck out of your brother's eye."

Why is it always easier to find fault with others, than it is with ourselves? Why do we clearly see the short comings of others, and not our own? Some might say human nature, others sin nature, still others may say the that's just how I'm built. But Jesus calls that, “Hypocrisy.” Why? Because we should first begin with ourselves.

As Christians, we are to take notice of our own sins, and do away with them. Then we will be better qualified to correct the faults of others. Jesus said earlier, "Judge not, that you be not judged" (v.1). While there is a need to correct faults, we should not point out the faults of others unless we ourselves are committed to restoration and not condemnation. Keeping in mind the manner in which we judge others, is the way we too shall be judged.

Therefore, love your bothers and sisters in Christ enough to correct their faults in love, without condemnation, keeping in mind how you would want to be corrected in love as well. In this we can avoid division and hypocrisy in the church.

The Truth: "Brethren, if a man (or woman) be overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)

Matthew 6 "Put God's Kingdom First"

 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (v.33)

Here in chapter 6, Jesus continues with His sermon on the mount, expounding great wisdom to all who listened on many subjects; Prayer, fasting, material wealth, pleasing God, the lamp of the body, our service to God, and the subject of worry. As a type “A” personality, I have always had the tendency to, over plan, over think, and just plain over worry. Sometimes I would get so far down the road that I would freak myself out (not to mention others), especially when it came to financial matters.

This scripture has done a lot to liberate me from the obsession of financial worry. Yes, I will be the first to admit it is a good idea to have a plan, and I still do, but taking this scripture to heart has lifted a great weight off my mind, and has enabled me to live in the present and not worry (so much) about the future.

For the Christian, this must be the rule of our life when ordering our priorities. Yet it is wrong to think that this is just another priority to fit onto our list of priorities – and to put at the top. Instead, in everything we do, we seek first the kingdom of God.  If you put God’s kingdom first, and do not think that your physical well-being is a worthy object to live your life for, you then will enjoy His  promises of heavenly treasure, rest in divine provision, and fulfillment of God’s highest purpose for man – fellowship with Him, and being part of His kingdom.

This choice – to seek first the kingdom of God – is the fundamental choice everyone makes when they first repent and are converted. Yet every day after that, our Christian life will either reinforce that decision or deny it. However, if one must worry, we are told in verse 34 to, "worry only for the things of today." 

Most of our worry is over things that we have absolutely no control over anyway, and is therefore foolish as well as harmful. Jesus reminds us of the importance of living for the present day. It isn’t wrong to remember the past or plan for the future; to some degree both of those are good. Yet it is easy to become too focused on either the past or the future and to let the day and its own trouble be ignored. 

I believe God wants us to remember the past, plan for the future, but live in the present.

The Truth: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34)

Matthew 5 “The Pure In Heart”

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (v.8)

There is certainly a lot to think about and meditate on in this chapter. For me though, all the lessons here come back to the condition of our heart. If our heart is pure, so will our witness be, our attitudes towards others, our wives, our children, even our advisories. Our word will be our bond, out oaths true, our friendships unconditional, even going the extra mile to love the unloveable, and to find common ground with the constant antagonist.

Yes it is easy to fall into the trap of eye for an eye, and tooth for a tooth, but leave all that to God. Remain pure in heart, let your light shine before men. And it will not only glorify your Father in heaven, but you will give light to all those around you, that they may see His Spirit at work in you.

The Truth: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

Matthew 4 "The Temptation Of Christ"

"Then was Jesus led by the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.” (v:1)

Here in chapter 4 Satan had but one goal, to bring Jesus to sin against God. Three times Satan tempts Jesus with the desires of the physical and material realm, all within his power to provide. And, three times Jesus answered with, “it is written.”

What made Satan give up (that day) on his tempting of Christ, it was not just the verbal quoting of scripture, but the commitment to living it out as well. You see, Satan himself could quote scripture but he had no intention of living by it. However, Jesus did!

Today Satan’s goal remains the same, to get people to compromise on their beliefs and sin against God. We are all in a constant battle against his deliberate and subtle attacks and can’t win in our own strength. But, He has not left use powerless. The true power in overcoming temptation lies in the submission to God’s Word and the commitment to live by it through the power of His Spirit.

So, "armor up," and move forward to meet all battles in His name.

The Truth: “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Matthew 3 “Jesus Baptized”

“So when Jesus was baptized, He came up out of the water: the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him. And a voice from heaven declared, ‘This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”’ (vv.16-17)

While Jesus is being baptized, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him and the voice of the Father spoke from heaven testifying, "This is My beloved Son." In this we have an interesting look at the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus who came to John (the Baptist) to be baptized, set an example for us to follow. His baptism declared the superiority of the spiritual over the material: The life of the Spirit over the life of the flesh. In essence, Jesus was declaring His superiority over the material, fleshly life, and  marked the beginning of His public ministry. Now, led and empowered by the Holy Spirit, He could face all that was to come.

When we follow His example, buried under the water is the old life, the old desires: dead. Then, rising up out of the water, washed clean, is the new life, the life of the Spirit - superior to the life of the flesh. As a result, we are no longer alone in this earthly battle any longer, we have His Spirit in our lives to guide and protect our steps.

Thank you Lord for this beautiful picture of Your saving grace in our lives.

The Truth: “And He that sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.” (John 8:29)

Matthew 2 "The Wise Men Arrive In Jerusalem"

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” (vv.1-2)

Matthew actually tells us little about the birth of Jesus; Luke 2 records those familiar details. What Matthew does tells us regards something that happened after Jesus was born in Bethlehem, "Wise men came from the East in the days of Herod the king." This was the one known as Herod the Great. Herod was indeed great; in some ways great as a ruler, builder and administrator; but ruthless in politics and cruelty. The reign of Herod also gives us a chronological marking point, as Jesus was born before the death of Herod the Great, which is probably to be dated in 4 BC; the exact date of Jesus’ birth is unknown.

These travelers from the east are called wise men, which in the ancient Greek is Magi. They were not kings but astronomers, and probably traveled with a great company. They seem to have come not on the birth night, but probably several months later. Guided by the astronomical phenomenon mentioned in our text (His Star), they came to the area and expected to find answers in Jerusalem. They expected that the leaders and people of this capital city of the Jews would be even more interested than they were. Yet all were unaware.

Upon asking king Herod the question, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews," he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They then said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:  ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’

The fact that Herod had to instruct his advisors to search the archives for information, pointed to his lack of knowledge of the scriptures, and the time which was at hand. While all missed the time and location of His birth, the shepherds did not. To this Spurgeon states, “It has been truly remarked that the shepherds did not miss their way; they came to Christ at once, while the wise men, even with a star to guide them, yet missed their way, and went to Jerusalem instead of to Bethlehem, and enquired at the palace of Herod (who would seek to kill the child), instead of at the stable where the Christ was born.”

Nevertheless the motive of these Magi (realizing that this Son that has been born is to be the Messiah, King of the Jews and over all of the earth), was that they wanted to come and worship Him, behold His glory, to be obedient subjects and show the reverence that is due to Him, solely because of who He was - something even His own people missed. 

Sadly today people are still missing their way to Jesus, not looking to worship Him for who He is, but like Herod, how they might destroy His message and elevate themselves. Jesus said, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet loses his own soul?" (Mark 8:36) As for me, give me Jesus.  

The Truth: "And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler, Who will shepherd My people Israel." (Micah 5:2)

Matthew 1 "The Genealogy of Jesus Christ"

 "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:" (v.1)

Here in our text Matthew begins his account of the life of Jesus Christ. In this overview of explaining the lineage of Jesus, Matthew clearly and strongly connects him to some of the greatest men in the history of the Old Testament. 

Matthew begins his account of the life of Jesus Christ with the record of the lineage of Jesus from the patriarch Abraham. Throughout his work, Matthew presents Jesus as the kingly Messiah promised from David’s royal line (2 Samuel 7:12-16). The Old Testament prophesied that the Messiah would be the Son of David; in the very first sentence, Matthew points to Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Matthew not only connected Jesus to David, but back yet further to Abraham. Jesus is the Seed of Abraham in whom all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3).

The genealogy recorded here establishes Jesus’ claim to the throne of David through his adoptive father Joseph. This is not blood lineage of Jesus through Mary, but the legal lineage of Jesus through Joseph. The Gospel of Luke provides Jesus’ blood lineage through Mary. Matthew wanted to make it clear that Joseph was not the father of Jesus; rather he was the husband of Mary (v.16).

This genealogy is also noted for the unusual presence of four women; Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba ("by her who had been the wife of Uriah" v.6). Women were rarely mentioned in ancient genealogies, and the four mentioned here are worthy of special note as examples of God’s grace. They show how God can take unlikely people and use them in great ways, and to demonstrate that Jesus identifies with sinners in His genealogy, even as He will in His birth, baptism, life, and His death on the cross. 

Thanks be to God for this reminder to us all that He adopts (as His children) imperfect people tainted by sin like you and I and calls us His own. 

The Truth: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved." (Ephesians 1:3-6)