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The End of Exile
Herod is one example of all those who have tried to destroy the Christ and His people. Though this evil king did much harm, he was in the end unable to thwart the plans of the Father for His Son ...Read More
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True Israel
Our sovereign Lord has ordered history to accomplish His purposes and bring His plan for His people to pass. Even when His people failed, the Father sent Jesus so that He might live out the design God has for them ...Read More
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Three Gifts for the King
If our Lord at times seems “crazy” or “foolish” to the world because of His life and message (Mark 3:20–21), we can expect the world to feel the same about us when we are true to Him. Unfortunately ...Read More
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The Wise Men Rejoice
The Father will ensure that His Son will be glorified despite all obstacles (John 12:23). Mary has been forced to give birth to the Messiah in a less than ideal setting (Luke 2:7). Herod, who lives under the ...Read More
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Visitors from the East
The wise men are likely from Babylon and have had to take a long and arduous journey to find Jesus. Matthew Henry draws this application from this event: “Those who truly desire to know Christ, and find him, will not ...Read More
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Immanuel
The fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus can only be understood if we first understand the meaning and application of the prophetic word for its original audience. In this case, Jesus fulfills or “fills up” the word of Isaiah because He ...Read More
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An Angel Visits Joseph
In mercy, Joseph did not call for the Law’s harshest penalties on the wife he thought unfaithful (Deut. 22:13–21). Depending on the offense and its circumstances, while the church is always called to discipline, it is not ...Read More
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Fourteen Generations
We are not yet certain why Matthew’s genealogy differs from Luke’s, but this ought not cause confusion. Scripture has been proven trustworthy time and again, and differences such as these cannot be contradictions (Heb. 6:18). Thus, our ...Read More
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From Abraham to Exile
Not every ancestor of Jesus trusted in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Still, the Lord’s grace overcame what could be called “impossible” odds in working through the sinful sons of David to bring about our salvation. This ...Read More
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The Tax Collector
Even in the very first verse of his gospel, Matthew tells us that Jesus fulfills God’s promises to His people. As the “son of Abraham,” Jesus is revealed as the one through whom Abraham will bless the nations (Gen ...Read More
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Matthew’s Gospel
Take the time to look over Matthew in preparation for our study this year. Find one passage that you have not spent much time examining. Meditate on that text today and ask the Lord to help you focus on His ...Read More
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Dealing with Anxiety
Tomorrow we will look at some of the practical steps we can take to overcome fear and trust God for the future. Today, take some time to consider where you put your trust. Do you adapt well when things do ...Read More
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A Gentile Meets Jesus
Our prayers may sometimes seem like the encounter between Jesus and this woman. Often we will pray for a person’s salvation or healing, and, when no change is immediately forthcoming, we will assume God’s answer is no. Yet ...Read More
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Restoration in the North
The restoration of Israel will be much greater than we could have anticipated. God’s people will include not only those physical sons of Abraham who have faith in Jesus the Messiah but also Gentiles who trust in Him. Both ...Read More
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Christ
If we are to know the truth, we must sit at the feet of our prophet, Jesus. If we are to be reconciled to God, we must approach Him through the sacrifice of our priest, Jesus. The battle against sin ...Read More
