I love salt. I am that person who will salt a dish before tasting it to see if it needs seasoning. I assume that a little more salt won’t hurt. I want there to be enough salt to really taste what I crave. Salt gives flavor that enhances what we eat. I love that about salt, don’t you? However, we don’t oversalt or we will ruin the taste of food.
Salt has other benefits when used in the right portions. Salt preserves food stored for later use. Salt was the main ingredient used in Bible times to preserve a good day’s catch of fish that couldn’t be consumed in one day. Salt was as important then as it is today. Jesus, the Master Teacher, always used examples He could touch and feel in the everyday lives of those He was teaching.
A salt-loving person finds it hard to accept a substitution for salt. When doctors tell us to avoid salt altogether and recommends substitutes, we can’t quite make the transition, can we? We want the REAL thing for the fullest flavor in what we eat. Right? (Camp here. Take all the time you need.)
We also want to see what we eat, so we light the room in various ways to not only see but to provide that warm glow of peace while we dine with each other. Why do you think nice restaurants provide lamps on the tables but dim the surrounding brighter lights at night? They are creating a “mood” of peace while you eat so you will enjoy each other’s company and return!
I love how Jesus couples his salt example with light. He tells us to be salty, providing the flavor season of His love to the world then tells us to light our lamps so others will see the look of Him reflected in our eyes to those seeking Him. How will they know unless we reflect His Light in this dark world? The Light of Jesus never goes out, never flickers and is always steady in our lives when we allow it. His Light in us shines for all to see when we turn from dark to Light. His Light in us glows with the warmth of His love to others.
Why hide the Light of Love who is in relentless pursuit of our affection? We don’t want to hide Jesus, and let’s face it, we can’t ignore Him. The Light of the world is Jesus and there is no hiding Him under our basket of pretense, selfishness, unconfessed sin and pride. Confess then lift the basket to reveal the Light! Give in to the hope of eternal life, His unconditional, unchanging love, Jesus’ total forgiveness for sin, then shine His Light–giving off that warm glow of being with Him that draws others to Him!
Be sensationally salty and brightly glowing with Jesus’ power living in and through us!
Matthew—The Law Fulfilled
Matthew 5:13-16, NLT
Teaching about Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Abba, Father in Heaven,
May Your Light shine in me today. May what I do help others taste and see what is good and right in knowing you.
What does it mean to be blessed by God or to be shown “favor” by God? Many think that favored blessings come to those who work hard for the church or on the mission field. Some think it comes by bargaining with God; “I do this, God, so you can favor me with what I want in this life.” Most of us, without digging deeper in the intent of what God says in His Word, think it is expecting special treatment by God as a person of position you hold in the community of believers, such as pastor, teacher, elder, deacon, or president of the church board. We have all missed the boat if we think this way.
Blessed means that we are always on God’s mind. Blessed means that God will come to those who ask for forgiveness and want to change their lives. Blessed is God entering into our lives to grow and develop His character traits in us while changing our thought life which result in changed behaviors. This process, by the way, will take an earthly lifetime!
Favor is the gift of God’s grace and mercy. We don’t earn it. Favor is a gift. We are graciously favored by God because we are saved by His grace. Mercy and grace with God’s unconditional love for His created sent Jesus to the world to save us so that we can come to God in an intimate growing relationship with God. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Blessed with redemption. Favored by grace! Now, let’s get growing by God’s power living in us!
The Pharisees and other religious teachers and leaders, who hold positions of “man-made favor” in the Jewish community think they have it made. But then Jesus comes and begins to explain what God’s commands in His Law, His Word, really means and what living in the Kingdom of Heaven is truly like. The common people who have only heard orders and harsh directives from the religious in power and position, are now presented with a new way of thinking about God. They are drawn to this man who speaks with authority and power coupled with love and compassion. People of all ages come just to be near Him.
People are walking from the surrounding communities, coming to see and hear what they have never heard before in their lifetime. Those in power who have forgotten God altogether in their daily debates are now listening in to what Jesus has to say, not because they like what He says, but because he is drawing quite a crowd. Anger rises because of their fear of losing their prized and powerful positions in life. Jesus is Truth, speaks God’s Truth, lives God’s Truth and now tells God’s people the Truth. Jesus tells God’s people who He is while teaching the very character of God and what HE wants for each of us.
What Jesus says is rich, deep, and revolutionary to current world thinking. His words change open minds, revealing what Kingdom living really means. Jesus is telling us of God’s character traits and how we must be willing to grow in God’s character. So, let’s take this in smaller bites. Here is part one.
Matthew—The Law Fulfilled
Matthew 5:1-11, NLT—Part One
The Sermon on the Mount
5 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
(God will accept us for who we are but refuses to let us live there. Those who know they need God are blessed and will begin to grow in relationship with God while developing His character traits.)
4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
(When we hear of the passing of a loved one, we lay aside all work schedules and plans, all those world things, and turn all we are to God for comfort. It has been noted that those who mourn are probably closer to God at this moment than at any other moment in life. Some cultures believe this and actually ask those in mourning to pray for them because they know God is close to them! God’s Holy Spirit is with we who mourn and teaches us how to mourn with others with compassion. People who mourn know what it is like and can help others when they mourn. This is another developing character trait of God—compassion.)
5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. 7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
(The prophet Micah spoke of what God requires of us which encompasses Godly characteristics of humility and justice. Jesus explains how we are blessed in growing in these traits of humility, putting others needs ahead of our own; extending mercy to others as God as extended mercy to us; while seeking with hunger and thirst for God’s justice, not what we think is right. We need to walk with God to develop these traits and fine tune our responses to what happens in this world to match what God wants and requires from us. “…the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8)
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
(God sees our hearts, nothing is hidden from Him. Purity is desiring a clean heart motivated by realizing the depth of God’s love for us. God is consistently looking for hearts who are completely His and who want to grow His love, the greatest characteristic of all! “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 In fact, we are fools, this passage goes on to say, if we are not fully committed to God with pure hearts. We will always be at war with self if our hearts are not pure and committed to God alone, seeking to grow in His loving character. “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8, NIV)
9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
(We are truly blessed with God’s character of peace when we do everything within us to make peace with our brothers and sisters. Children of God think peace, know peace and know that peace ultimately comes from God. “Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. ‘I’ll do the judging,’ says God. ‘I’ll take care of it.’” Romans 12:18, The Message.
If we have the peace of God in our hearts, growing in His character, God provides peace. Jesus tells us later that peace is a gift from God. Working for peace is what God’s children do because God is peace. Jesus was called the Prince of Peace. No matter what is going on around you, peace can remain in the hearts of those who believe. Clear heads reign in Kingdom hearts that seek peace.)
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
Hearts given to Jesus who are growing in His character are different people to the world. We must expect to take criticism, harsh words, slaps against our being with ridicule for believing and following Jesus exclusively. It is a challenge to go against the flow. We need to develop the characteristic of God of longsuffering as shown by Jesus as He was tried for our sins. He was mocked and ridiculed for Kingdom of God teaching. So, God knows what you are going through. He didn’t leave you to deal with it on your own power. In fact, be confident! “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
God will never leave us. Jesus has shown us the victory. God’s Holy Spirit gives the power to survive persecution of all forms. Even death is our victory, for we shall then see Christ and live with Him forever in peace all because of God’s love, mercy and grace! This is what it means to be blessed and favored! Growing, maturing, fruitful and blossoming with Godly character while we wait for that blessed “well done, good and faithful servant.”
Abba Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name. Great are you, Lord! May your Kingdom come and reign in me. May Your Will be done on earth in every detail of my life as it is done in heaven. Give us this day all the power we need to follow you exclusively. Forgive us of our sins as we forgive those who offend, mock or humiliate us. Lead us not into temptations to fight back, get revenge or manipulate; but deliver us from evil and his character traits of evil. For YOU have all power. You are the Prince of Peace. You will bring justice. You are our Savior and Lord, King of kings and Lord of lords. I’m yours. I’m blessed and favored only by your salvation work in me.
New believers AND those who begin a new ministry work are generally excited, almost giddy to begin. Obedience to God brings joy unspeakable and is full of His glory abiding in you and all around you. “Obedience is better than sacrifice”, (1 Samuel 15:22), God tells the ancients. That’s why ideas of how the work can be accomplished flood your mind from God. God’s creativity rises to the top of your thinking with ways to help other people on their daily journey with God. You hear God’s voice above all others and it is glorious to be right in the center of His will.
God’s enemy hates what you are thinking. When led by God’s Holy Spirit to say yes to His invitation to join Him in His work, the war with God’s enemy begins. Satan, the fallen angel, leader of demons, Prince of Darkness, Chief Liar, will do everything in his limited power to tempt you to quit before you even get started. He will put down who you are and lift up himself. He will tell you what you really deserve getting you to think about yourself, not God. He will say you are not good enough OR tell you to do things your way because you are in control. Other tricks include cheating, cutting corners to get what you want quickly, putting others down to lift yourself up, manipulating others to get what you want and other behaviors that are directly opposite what Jesus taught us. Satan is a Liar. We will see evidence of that below in our passage for today!
The devil, our real enemy, not those around us, will plant thoughts in our heads that bring us to our knees. Guess what? That is exactly the place and posture to battle the enemy—is on our knees, crying out in the Name of Jesus Christ, who will help us because He, himself was tempted before his ministry began! Jesus wins. Always. The place to begin, like Jesus did, is on our knees asking God for all we need.
Note how many times Jesus quotes God’s Scripture in the temptation battle. Matthew is showing us continuously how the words of the prophets, written centuries before, given to them by God, brings all that God said in the past to fulfillment. Jesus is the bridge from death to life, from not knowing God to knowing and believing God, from the darkness of sin to the Light of living forever in relationship with God. Forever.
Matthew—The Law Fulfilled
Matthew 4, NLT
The Temptation of Jesus
4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.
3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”
4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,
‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”
7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”
8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”
10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”
11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
The Ministry of Jesus Begins
12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 13 He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:
15 “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali, beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River, in Galilee where so many Gentiles live, 16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.”
17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
The First Disciples
18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.
21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. 22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.
Crowds Follow Jesus
23 Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 24 News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. 25 Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River.
IF SOMEONE TOLD YOU TO JUMP OF A CLIFF, WOULD YOU?
Smiling because I still hear my mom saying this me as a result of pleading my case to do what I thought my friends were getting away with in life. Can you hear Jesus saying that to us as we battle The Liar?
Know God. Know the Enemy. Know Jesus, our Victor. Know Ourselves and our own weaknesses so that we may realize that is exactly where the enemy will strike first. Satan tempted hungry Jesus—”turn these stones to bread”!
Listen to God’s Holy Spirit as your ministry begins. Go to Him daily for your next steps to take, our “marching orders”, so to speak. Jesus got away to quiet places to ask the Father exactly what to do, when to do it, what to say, when to say it, how to behave, who to choose for his team in ministry with every step he took on this earth. But first he was tempted to quit before he got started.
Is this you this morning? Are you tempted to quit? The temptation to quit happens to me and it will to you at the beginning, in the middle and towards the end of the work God has invited us to be and do. Remember, our best decisions are made on our knees. God will tell you and me when it’s time to move in victory, not in defeat.
POINTS TO PONDER
Know the Truth and use the Truth in battle. Know that what Satan hates most are believers on their knees, calling out for help in the Name of Jesus Christ. THIS is where our battles with temptations and all other circumstances are fought and won.
Of course, Jesus did NOT quit in His wilderness experience. He is our standard, our living hope, our perfect example of how to combat our war with evil, the real enemy. Our war is not really with each other, it is ultimately with the one who wants to destroy us before we leave the starting gate of God’s will and purpose for us.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 4 ESV
Thank you, Lord!
Abba, Father in Heaven,
Great are you, Lord! You are my breath of life! You are the Victor over all this world has to offer. You are the Prince of Peace in the midst of temptation turmoil. You are Life eternal. You are provider and protector. You know everything about me and still you pour out your love, mercy and grace upon me. I don’t deserve it but you gave up your life for my freedom! Help me to remember I’m redeemed and I am yours forever!
May your will be done in me. May your glory be seen in me and all around all of us who believe. Help us to pray and then obey before trying to do anything of significance. And in the heat of battle, take over and take down our enemy in Your Name for your glory! Yes, it’s all about you living in us. Give us power and Your Word remembered against our real enemy. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Are you now humming or singing that song? Now, that I have your attention, it is wildly monumental when we are born with knowledge of God’s purpose and mission for each of us. It is extremely colossal when our purpose has been written centuries before by God’s prophet. So, it is with John, the wild and wooly preacher of the wilderness! “Repent”, shouts John to those around him who are curious of the man in animal skins.
Humanity’s curiosity leads them to hearing the Truth of what John is crying out to the world around him. “The Lord is coming!”, John declares, “and sins need to be confessed”. Leave your selfish, mundane lives of mere survival without God and TURN back to God! The people have heard only what they owe from the religious elite of their day who have forgotten God. John’s message is plain because his mission is clear; Our Messiah, the One we have all been longing for is on His way. He will come and save us forever. He is God’s Son who knows and judges the motivation of all hearts. Wake up! Get ready!
Then Jesus comes! How wildly awesome to see Who you are speaking of with passion and love, walk right into your message! God shows up in the form of His Son, Jesus to all people as a testimony of His great love for His created. John fulfilled his purpose when he baptized Jesus. Jesus fulfilled God’s righteous, perfect example before the people by being baptized that day. The Way back to God has come to complete the work God began in John. Believe, repent and be saved.
Later John will humbly say, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” (John 3:30) Yes, John was born to be wild. He wildly and unreservedly loved God, knew God and served God. He was wildly full of God’s Spirit and knew exactly what God wanted him to do and he did it. But John also knew he was not the Messiah, the Redeemer, of all sin. Only Jesus, God’s Son, could do and be that Person.
Jesus later said of John, “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!” (Matthew 11:11)
POINTS TO PONDER
Are we born to be wild? Are we wildly persistent in knowing God, hearing His voice above all others, longing to learn from Him along with determination to obey Him no matter what the world says we should be and do?
Where do we begin to be wildly different from the world?
Believe, repent asking for forgiveness of Jesus and in Jesus Name. Be baptized as a public announcement of our new life with Jesus in charge. Then allow God’s Holy Spirit to begin teaching us. Our minds will begin to change our attitudes and behaviors. Our hearts will love greater than we have ever loved before. Our souls will be filled with inexplicable joy and peace that surpasses what is going on around us.
God requires us to Love Him first; then with His Love in us, Love others like He Loves us.
God requires self to get out of the way so we can become more and more in every way like his Son, our perfect example and standard for wildly abundant love-filled living. Jesus came to save us AND he also taught us how to live. The Gospels will teach us these ways clearly. (See also Micah 6:8 and Philippians 2)
Let us then prepare our hearts, minds and souls for The Way to return and claim us as His own. Jesus IS coming back, you know! “The Lord is coming!” should be our cry of our hearts to the world!
Isn’t that wild?!
Matthew—The Law Fulfilled
Matthew 3, NLT
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
3 In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, 2 “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” 3 The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said,
“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’”
4 John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. 5 People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John. 6 And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. 9 Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 10 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.
11 “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12 He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”
The Baptism of Jesus
13 Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”
15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.
16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
TRUTH: John was born for God’s purpose. John obeyed God by preparing the Way of the Lord, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who came with His own mission; to seek and to save the lost. We are the lost that He came to save. Find and follow Jesus. The Only Way to God.
Abba, Father in Heaven,
Thank you, Jesus for saving us, forgiving us all our sin because of your love for us. Thank for Your Holy Spirit that encourages, convicts, and challenges us to be more like you all while comforting us when we need it. Thank you for specific purpose for us—to walk humbly with you, loving you, loving others while seeking all that is right and just in your thinking. Continue to change my mind to your way of thinking so my behavior will be more like you. Thank you, Lord for caring for us like you do. Teach us more!
Have you ever heard the phrase; a little knowledge can be dangerous? Why is it dangerous? When you hear just enough information that incites a quick response because it troubles your soul, you make hasty decisions. You tend to “shoot from the hip” of your emotions without digging deeper into the research of true facts. Coupled with fear, which leads to anger, because what you have heard might affect you and your power base, you make a sweeping rash decision which will hurt all those in the wake of your reach. More than likely this leads to a mess to clean up.
Herod is the King residing over God’s people at the time Jesus entered the world as Truth. Herod did not follow God’s Law but knew just enough to be dangerous. Read on…
Matthew—The Law Fulfilled Matthew 2, NLT
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose and we have come to worship him.” 3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. 4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: 6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. 8 Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!” 9 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.
The Escape to Egypt 13 After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14 That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, 15 and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.” 16 Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. 17 Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
18 “A cry was heard in Ramah— weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.” The Return to Nazareth
19 When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. 20 “Get up!” the angel said. “Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.” 21 So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother. 22 But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee. 23 So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.”
WHAT DO WE LEARN? The gospel testimony of Matthew reaches back to what God said would happen through the prophets centuries before Jesus was born. God also knew how Herod would react to the news of Truth. God is sovereign. God had a plan from the beginning of time itself to bring Jesus into the world, protect him for the mission of saving the world. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
God even told the prophets where Jesus would be born and where he would live until the time of fulfilling his ultimate mission to save those who believe in Him. Wow.
Do you believe? Do you really believe that what you believe about God is really real?
TRUTH: God does what He says. Count on it. Truth wins. Jesus is the Person of Truth. The evil one is a The Liar who loves to provoke us with just enough knowledge to destroy what God is doing in and through us. Beware.
Abba, Father in Heaven, You know us for you created us. You know us from the inside out. But you also gave us the choice to love you, believe in you, trust you and serve you. I believe. I choose you. I have decided and committed my thinking and behavior to you. Changes in me are inevitable and needed. Help me to think more like you each day so I will make the right decisions concerning my life which affects those around me as well as myself. In Jesus Name, Amen
Nowhere in the four gospels do we find a single recorded word that Matthew spoke. Yet in his gospel, Matthew gives us the words and actions of Jesus Christ, “the Son of David, the Son of Abraham” (Matt. 1:1). Matthew did not write to tell us about himself. He wrote so that we would know Jesus, the One who was sent from God, to fulfill the law and commandments of God.
Matthew was a Jewish man who left his family to become a tax collector in his community. To the Jews, this was the most disgusting occupation you could have, robbing from your own people to satisfy the Romans who oppressed them. People ducked when they saw Matthew coming down the street. Imagine getting an official letter in the mail from the IRS today. Because we were audited once, I still cringe seeing any form or letter coming from our tax collecting government organiztion! Even more so in Matthew’s day.
What did Jesus see in Matthew? I love the thoughts of Max Lucado, “At the same time, you gotta wonder what Matthew saw in Jesus. I mean, look at him. Dirt under his nails. Calloused hands. Holes in his sandals. No headquarters. No office. No committee. No clout with the local church. The clergy won’t give him the time of day. His followers look more like dockhands or pool sharks than seminarians.”
“Quite a pair, these two. You gotta wonder what they saw in each other. Whatever it was, it must’ve been something. Matthew heard the call and never went back. He spent the rest of his life convincing folks that the carpenter was the King. Jesus gave the call and never took it back. He spent his life dying for people like Matthew, convincing a lot of us that if he had a place for Matthew, he just might had a place for us.”
Let’s begin reading the testimony of Matthew now that we know him a little better.
Matthew—The Law Fulfilled
Matthew 1, NLT
The Ancestors of Jesus the Messiah
1 This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham:
2 Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar). Perez was the father of Hezron. Hezron was the father of Ram. 4 Ram was the father of Amminadab. Amminadab was the father of Nahshon. Nahshon was the father of Salmon. 5 Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse. 6 Jesse was the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah). 7 Solomon was the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam was the father of Abijah. Abijah was the father of Asa. 8 Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat was the father of Jehoram. Jehoram was the father of Uzziah. 9 Uzziah was the father of Jotham. Jotham was the father of Ahaz. Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh. Manasseh was the father of Amon. Amon was the father of Josiah. 11 Josiah was the father of Jehoiachin and his brothers (born at the time of the exile to Babylon). 12 After the Babylonian exile: Jehoiachin was the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel. 13 Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud. Abiud was the father of Eliakim. Eliakim was the father of Azor. 14 Azor was the father of Zadok. Zadok was the father of Akim. Akim was the father of Eliud. 15 Eliud was the father of Eleazar. Eleazar was the father of Matthan. Matthan was the father of Jacob. 16 Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah.
17 All those listed above include fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the Babylonian exile, and fourteen from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah.
The Birth of Jesus the Messiah
18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.
20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:
23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”
24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.
THINK ABOUT IT…POINTS TO PONDER
*We will see the word “fulfill” many times in Matthew’s testimony of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Another phrase, “as the prophets said…” will also set the stage for understanding the mission of Jesus from the beginning of God’s creation.
*Because Matthew wrote for a Jewish audience, he began by showing through family records that Jesus as a descendent of both King David and Abraham which drew them in for the purpose of taking them from religious tradition to a relationship with Jesus, The Messiah, The One and Only they had been waiting for all their lives.
*Joseph and Mary were sent in a new direction in their lives that was challenging to say the least. Led by God’s Spirit in them they were the first to follow without question. “Let it be as you say…” answers Mary. “And Joseph named him Jesus” as he had been told. Joseph took his calling seriously. Mary served reverently. Together, they raised Jesus in the Jewish tradition despite the rumors and gossipers.
*As long as we live and breathe the air on this earth, we will all come to a crossroads of belief and followership when it comes to Jesus. His will or ours?
*What do I see in Jesus? What does Jesus see in me? Now, it’s personal.
Abba, Father in Heaven,
Thank you for sending Jesus to save us from our sins. Thank you for looking beyond my behavior to look deep into my heart. I repent of the things that offend you. I believe in your forgiveness and restoration. I want what you want for me. Help us all to hear your voice, “follow Me”, above all others voices, and readily leave the old life for a new life with you forever. No turning back, no turning back. I have decided to follow you.
Before we dive into a new study of the Gospels, The Good News, let us first consider what the prophets said generations before the birth of the Good News, Jesus. God saw the condition of the world. God knew the hearts of His people. God spoke through prophets with understandable words of Truth promising a Messiah that would save the world, but most did not listen. Why?
Eugene Peterson explains the conditions of the hearts of people well, “Most of life is not lived in crisis—which is a good thing. Not many of us would be able to sustain a life of perpetual pain or loss or ecstasy or challenge. But crisis has this to say for it: In time of crisis everything, absolutely everything, is important and significant. Life itself is on the line. No word is casual, no action marginal. And almost always, God and our relationship with God is on the front page.”
“But during the humdrum times, when things are, as we tend to say, ‘normal’, our interest in God is crowded to the margins of our lives and we become preoccupied with ourselves. ‘Religion’ during such times is trivialized into asking ‘God-questions’—calling God into question or complaining about him, treating the worship of God as a mere hobby or diversion, managing our personal affairs (such as marriage) for our own convenience and disregarding what God has to say about them, going about our usual activities as if God were not involved in such dailiness.”
“The prophet Malachi is made to order for just such conditions. Malachi creates a crisis at a time when we are unaware of crisis. He wakes us up to the crisis of God during the times when the only thing we are concerned with is us. He keeps us on our toes, listening for God, waiting in anticipation for God, ready to respond to God, who is always coming to us.”
Immanuel, “God with us”, came, just as God said, after many long years of silence brought on by the disobedience of mankind. In Malachi 1:1, God told His people, “I love you” and they responded, “how have you loved us?” God-questions. Mankind is always questioning when humble faith is at the heart of the issue. Faith, we will learn from Jesus, is the real deciding factor for life abundant and free.
Yes, it had been 400 years since God had spoken to His people through the prophets. Micah’s word from God specifically spelled out the human condition apart from God. Through Micah, God told His people what was required of them to live well, to live in His will, to accomplish His purpose. The Lord God laid out his concerns using Micah as His “attorney” to lay His case before a whining, inattentive, unloving, disobedient people. Let’s listen in to the closing statements of God’s case.
The Lord’s Case against Israel
Listen to what the Lord is saying:
“Stand up and state your case against me. Let the mountains and hills be called to witness your complaints. 2 And now, O mountains, listen to the Lord’s complaint! He has a case against his people. He will bring charges against Israel.
3 “O my people, what have I done to you? What have I done to make you tired of me? Answer me! 4 For I brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from slavery. I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to help you. 5 Don’t you remember, my people, how King Balak of Moab tried to have you cursed and how Balaam son of Beor blessed you instead? And remember your journey from Acacia Grove[a] to Gilgal, when I, the Lord, did everything I could to teach you about my faithfulness.”
6 What can we bring to the Lord? Should we bring him burnt offerings? Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves? 7 Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins?
8 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:1-8, New Living Translation
After the prophets spoke, people resumed their normal, much like we are doing after our COVID crisis in the world. In the middle of the “lockdown”, thousands turned their thoughts to God with questions of why are we going through us—”God-questions”—instead of daily laying their lives before Him as a living offering to begin or continue an intimate relationship with God. God doesn’t change in what He wants from us. “Do what is right, love mercy and walk humbly with God” in a holy, growing, intimate relationship with Him.
Many people around the world heard the Good News of Jesus’ saving grace because of God’s love for the first time. God doesn’t waste a single crisis moment in history for Truth telling! Because of the covid crisis, many have now found, accepted and believe Jesus and are now following Him. Are you one of them? I pray you are.
The Good News is just that—GOOD! Jesus died and rose again to save us from our selfishness and sin. We love God because He first loved us and sent His Son to save us! God does what He says He will do. Every. Time. I suggest a reading of Malachi and Micah to prepare for this study.
“I love you” –God
Tomorrow, it begins with Matthew. Join us as we dig for more treasures of Truth.
Abba, Father in Heaven,
Hallowed is Your Name. May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done in us and through us. Give us this day expectant hope of your return which guides our every thought and action. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptations to doubt or turn away but instead deliver us from evil and evil’s schemes to distract us from you and all that is good. For you have all power. Nothing is too hard for you. No one is like you, our Father God. No one. To You be all glory, honor and praise forevermore.
Yes, and Amen! This is our last psalm of worship and teaching. We have learned how much God loves us and we have deepened our love and understanding for our Creator! We have learned that we can praise God no matter what is happening around us in this world. We have been taught that everything God created responds with praise back to him. How great is our God! Praise God with all that is in us, for that is right, good, pleasing to God and lifts us up a little closer to where He is! The more we praise Him, the more we want to praise Him. Hallelujah, God is God!
THINK ABOUT IT…
To those of you who read this blog consistently, How has your study of Psalms helped you to worship and serve the Lord more joyfully and thoughtfully?
Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs
Psalm 150, The Message
1-6 Hallelujah! Praise God in his holy house of worship, praise him under the open skies; Praise him for his acts of power, praise him for his magnificent greatness; Praise with a blast on the trumpet, praise by strumming soft strings; Praise him with castanets and dance, praise him with banjo and flute; Praise him with cymbals and a big bass drum, praise him with fiddles and mandolin. Let every living, breathing creature praise God! Hallelujah!
TRUTH: God loves the praise of His people. Let us show our love for Him in our praise to Him. To God be the glory for all that He has done! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 So, we praise the One who loved us first and loves us best.
“Praise the Lord! He is good. God’s love never fails. Praise the God of all gods. God’s love never fails. Praise the Lord of lords. God’s love never fails.” Psalm 136:1-3
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”
Revelation 5:13
Proverb 12:28
WISDOM:“In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.” Trust God. Praise God!
Abba, Father in Heaven!
To you be all glory, honor and praise! Praise for you will always be on my lips because you are in my thoughts. I want what you want. Help me to listen carefully and live skillfully with your wisdom guiding me. All that is right, good and miraculous comes from you! I love you with all my heart, mind and soul. May my life give you praise today!
Several times in God’ Word the word “sovereign” is used when describing God. What does that word actually mean to us? I looked it up because I was curious about the depth of the word’s meaning in relationship to God’s authority. John Frame explains it well, “The term sovereignty is rarely found in recent translations of Scripture, but it represents an important biblical concept. A sovereign is a ruler, a king, a lord, and Scripture often refers to God as the one who rules over all. His most common proper name, Yahweh (see Ex. 3:14) is regularly translated Lord in the English Bible. And Lord, in turn, is found there over 7,000 times as a name of God and specifically as a name of Jesus Christ. So, to discuss the sovereignty of God is to discuss the lordship of God—that is, to discuss the Godness of God, the qualities that make him to be God. The major components of the biblical concept of divine sovereignty or lordship are God’s control, authority, and presence.”
Simply said, God created all, knows all and is in all. God’s intentions, will and purpose are fulfilled because He is sovereign. Nothing can prevent God from accomplishing His purpose. If God wills it, God will accomplish it. He doesn’t really need us to do His work, but He calls us to His work at times to teach us. (Read the gospels and see how Jesus invites his disciples into His work!) As Sovereign Lord, He calls us to be His people first. His presence is always with his committed, faithful people who love Him with all their hearts, minds and souls. He does in us what we cannot do for ourselves. He forgives, saves and redeems us for eternity!
John Frame explains, “When God takes us to be his people, he fights our battles, blesses us, loves us, and sometimes (as a loving Father should) gives us special punishments for our sins (Amos 3:2). He summarizes all this by saying that he is with us. He places his name upon us (Num. 6:27) so that he dwells with us and we with him. In the Old Testament, he fulfills his presence with Israel in the tabernacle and the temple. In the New Testament, he dwells with us particularly in Jesus, “God with us,” Immanuel (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23). He “tabernacles” with us (John 1:14). And after his ascension, he sends the Holy Spirit to dwell in us as his temple (1 Cor. 3:16).”
“God’s sovereign lordship is deeply personal. As Lord, God not only controls everything (efficaciously, universally), but also utters commands, words of life, that graciously govern the ongoing life of his creatures. And as Lord he has made a sovereign commitment to be “with” those who are his. Indeed, God’s sovereignty is a broad concept, including all that God is and all that he does, even embracing his love.” (Frame)
HE is God and we are not. God is the only one to be celebrated, worshiped and praised, no one or anything else on earth, only God! We celebrate this Truth in our worship each day as we live Truth. What is Truth? Jesus! Jesus died and rose again so that we can freely come to our Sovereign God and live with Him for eternity! Why trust anyone else but the One and Only who is present with us, knows us better than we know ourselves, loves us, protects and provides for us and fights our battles with evil?
THIS is the reason to worship God with all that is in us!
Everything that God’s people do in serving and glorifying the Lord must flow out of worship, for without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). The most important activity of the local church is the worship of God, for this is the activity we will continue in heaven for all eternity. This psalm is a primer on worship and gives us the basic instructions we need.
Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs
Psalm 149, The Message
1-4 Hallelujah! Sing to God a brand-new song, praise him in the company of all who love him. Let all Israel celebrate their Sovereign Creator, Zion’s children exult in their King. Let them praise his name in dance; strike up the band and make great music! And why? Because God delights in his people, adorns plain folk with salvation garlands!
5-9 Let true lovers break out in praise, sing out from wherever they’re sitting, Shout the high praises of God, brandish their swords in the wild sword-dance— A portent of vengeance on the God-defying nations, a signal that punishment’s coming, Their kings chained and hauled off to jail, their leaders behind bars for good, The judgment on them carried out to the letter —and all who love God in the seat of honor! Hallelujah!
TRUTH: All who love God will live with Him forever all because of Jesus Christ, His Son.
Proverb 16:1-9, The Message
Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word.
2 Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; God probes for what is good.
3 Put God in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will take place.
4 God made everything with a place and purpose; even the wicked are included—but for judgment.
5 God can’t stomach arrogance or pretense; believe me, he’ll put those braggarts in their place.
6 Guilt is banished through love and truth; Fear-of-God deflects evil.
7 When God approves of your life, even your enemies will end up shaking your hand.
8 Far better to be right and poor than to be wrong and rich.
9 We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.
WISDOM: We plan but God decides. God’s will is accomplished because God is Sovereign. That’s why it is important to ask what God wants, when He wants it done and then do what He says.
Abba, Father in Heaven,
I celebrate your sovereignty this morning because what you have taught me through the reading of Your Word and by the prompting of Your Holy Spirit. You take me deeper still when I yield to your teaching. Thank you for guiding, correcting my course, leading, teaching, strengthening with your wisdom, insight and understanding. I want to know you more and understand your will and purpose. I worship You above all.
The word praise is used thirteen times in these fourteen verses. The psalm begins in the highest heavens and ends with the little nation of Israel. If any psalm reveals the glory and grandeur of the worship of the Lord, it is this one, for it is cosmic in its dimensions and yet very personal in its intentions. How anyone could trivialize the privilege and responsibility of worship after pondering this psalm is difficult to understand. Consider the three declarations of praise presented by the Psalmist;
DIGGING DEEPER…
The Heavens Praise the Lord
We do not praise a god who was manufactured on earth; we praise the one true and living God who reigns from the highest heavens, the God who created all things.
The Earth Praises the Lord
The sea creatures from the ocean depths head the list, followed by the demonstrations of God’s power in the atmosphere. Remember David’s psalm about the storm (29)? “Fire” in verse 8 is probably lightning, although some opt for volcanic disturbances. Lightning often accompanied hailstorms in the Holy Land. To us, the storms are unpredictable and seem out of control as they do extensive damage, but we are assured that they are accomplishing God’s will.
The psalmist then moved from the sea and atmosphere into the land, where God placed trees for food and trees for building, wild animals and domestic animals, small creatures and birds. But men and women are the highest creatures in God’s creation because they were made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-28).
If any of God’s creation has good reason to praise the Lord, it is mankind, because we have the privilege of knowing God more intimately, and we have the promise of one day being like Christ. Angels rejoice when sinners are saved, but they cannot experience the grace of God (Luke 15:7, 10). We wonder how many world leaders take time to thank and praise God. Whether we are male or female, young or old, famous or unknown, we can all know the Lord and praise the Lord. We know His name! What a privilege to be a child of the King!
The People of Israel Praise the Lord
In Scripture, a “horn” is a symbol of power and dignity, a king or a kingdom. To “take away the horn” means to deprive a nation or person of authority and. When the Lord brought His people back from exile in Babylon, He “raised up a horn” for them. This cannot refer to a king, for David’s dynasty had ended with the capture of Zedekiah, and the returned remnant had no king. But they did have a nation, a temple, and a priesthood, and they had preserved the sacred Word that the Lord had given them through their prophets.
But Luke 1:69 gives us the right to apply this image to Jesus Christ, the Son of David, for He is the only person qualified to sit on David’s throne (Luke 1:30-33). “Salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22), and the Jews are a people who are still dear to the Lord (Ex. 19:6; Num. 16:5; Deut. 4:1-8).
If you read this psalm again with Jesus in mind, you can see how much greater He is than anything or anyone mentioned, for He is the Creator of all things (John 1:1-3; Col. 1:16-17). He is Captain of the hosts of the Lord (Josh. 5:14), the Sun of Righteousness (Mal. 4:2; Luke 1:78), and the Morning Star (Rev. 22:16). When ministering here on earth, He demonstrated power over storms (Matt. 8:23-27; 14:23-33), trees (Matt. 21:18-22), and wild and domestic animals (Mark 1:13; 11:1-3). He is far above the angels (Heb. 1; Eph. 1:18-23; 3:10-11). He revealed the Father’s name and glorified that name in all He was, said, or did (John:14; 2:11; 11:4, 40; 12:28; 14:13; 17:4).
In all things, Jesus Christ has the preeminence—”Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead.” Colossians 1:18, NLT
YES! Praise the Name of Jesus! Praise the One and Only God who sent His Son to save us!
Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs
Psalm 148, The Message
1-5 Hallelujah! Praise God from heaven, praise him from the mountaintops; Praise him, all you his angels, praise him, all you his warriors, Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, you morning stars; Praise him, high heaven, praise him, heavenly rain clouds; Praise, oh let them praise the name of God— he spoke the word, and there they were!
6 He set them in place from all time to eternity; He gave his orders, and that’s it!
7-12 Praise God from earth, you sea dragons, you fathomless ocean deeps; Fire and hail, snow and ice, hurricanes obeying his orders; Mountains and all hills, apple orchards and cedar forests; Wild beasts and herds of cattle, snakes, and birds in flight; Earth’s kings and all races, leaders and important people, Robust men and women in their prime, and yes, graybeards and little children.
13-14 Let them praise the name of God— it’s the only Name worth praising. His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky; he’s built a monument—his very own people!
Praise from all who love God! Israel’s children, intimate friends of God. Hallelujah!
TRUTH: Worship and praise God only, “it’s the only Name worth praising!” Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Jesus for saving us and bringing us to God’s throne room, unashamed, to praise God in all His glory and splendor!
Proverb 12:28, NIV
WISDOM: “In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.”
Abba, Father in Heaven,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you have done, how you have saved us, how you help us now and will do in our lives here until we meet you there where you are. You are God! We are not. You alone are worthy of ALL our praise! So, we praise, honor and thank you with all that is in us for we love you back. Thank you for first loving us. To YOU be all glory!
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 