Footnote: Presenting this genealogy was one of
the most interesting ways that Matthew could begin a book for a Jewish
audience. Because a person's family line proved his or her standing as one of
God's chosen people, Matthew began by showing that Jesus was a descendant of
Abraham, the father of all Jews, and a direct descendant of David, fulfilling
Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah's line. The facts of this ancestry
were carefully preserved. This is the first of many proofs recorded by Matthew
to show that Jesus is the true Messiah.
More than 400 years had passed since the last
Old Testament prophecies, and faithful Jews all over the world were still
waiting for the Messiah.
In the first 17 verses we meet 46 people whose
lifetimes span 2,000 years. All were ancestors of Jesus, but they varied
considerably in personality, spirituality, and experience. Some were heroes of
faith -- like Abraham, Isaac, Ruth and David. Some had shady reputations --
like Rahab and Tamar. Many were very ordinary -- like Hezron, Ram, Nahshon, and
Akim. And others were evil -- like Manasseh and Abijah. God's work in history
is not limited by human failures of sins, and he works through ordinary people.
Just as God used all kinds of people to bring his Son into the world, he uses
all kinds today to accomplish his will. And God wants to use YOU.
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ
came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before
they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
1:18
Footnote: Why is the virgin birth important to
the Christian faith? Jesus Christ, God's Son, had to be free from the sinful
nature passed on to all other human beings by Adam. Because Jesus was born of a
woman, he was a human being; but as the Son of God, Jesus was born without any
trace of human sin. Jesus is both fully human and fully divine.
Because Jesus lived as a man, we know that he
fully understands our experiences and struggles (Hebrews 4:15, 16). Because he
is God, he has the power and authority to deliver us from sin (Colossians
2:13-15). We can tell Jesus all our thoughts, feelings and needs. He has been
where we are now, and he has the ability to help.
The tempter came to him and said, "If
you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "It
is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes
from the mouth of God.'" 4:3,4
Footnote: Jesus was able to resist all the
devil's temptations because he not only knew Scripture, but he also obeyed it.
Ephesians 6:17 says that God's Word is a sword to use in spiritual combat.
Knowing Bible verses is an important step in helping us resist the devil's
attacks, but we must also obey the Bible. Note that Satan had memorized
Scripture, but he failed to obey it. Knowing and obeying the Bible helps us
follow God's desires rather than the devil's.
Keep reading -- 77 days left!
All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV
This is my favorite part: Jesus Ministers to Great Crowds
ReplyDelete23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. (ESV)