Matthew 1:18-25
In the first three verses after the genealogy, the Trinity is mentioned: "the birth of Jesus the Messiah", "pregnant through the Holy Spirit", and "angel of the Lord". Of course the divinity of Jesus is one of the big questions that is addressed in his lifetime and beyond but it seems as if Matthew is making it clear that something new happened that involved the whole God-head. It gives the sense that all of heaven is involved in this story.
I think that it is also significant that the Holy Spirit plays such a prominent role in the birth of Christ. I tend to focus more on the Father and the Son and the dynamics of that relationship. I must not forget that the Holy Spirit was intimately involved in the story right from the beginning. I wonder if God knew that the role of the Spirit would be downplayed on the one hand and overly emphasized on the other. It's interesting to me that the Spirit is mentioned at the very beginning of the OT (moving on the surface of the waters) and the very beginning of the NT.
Joseph is also an interesting figure for me that often seems to fade into the background of the story but plays such a unique role. He should really be the hero and example for so many men who are acting as a dad to children who are not his own! What I learn from Joseph in this passage is that even when I do things with as pure motives and with a desire to what is right in terms of the law and what is right in terms of people, I still may be wrong. Joseph's desire was a good one: uphold the law by not marrying Mary but not exposing her to public ridicule or worse. However, his decision was still not the one that God wanted him to make. This gives me comfort at the same time: God did not condemn Joseph for trying to do what was right (even though it was wrong) but revealed to him the right path to take. In my quest to do what is right, I can move forward with confidence knowing that God will correct me where I am wrong.
The second thing I learn from Joseph is the importance of immediate obedience. Joseph has the vision of the angel and, when he wakes up, he does what the angel told him to do. There was no waiting - the very next morning Joseph completes the marriage. I think this is an indication of what Joseph wanted to do and how much he loved and wanted to be with Mary but it is also an indication of his openess to the will of God. Immediate obedience? That's not so much a marker of my life. I wish it was.
Showing posts with label Matthew 1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matthew 1. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Roots
Matthew 1:1-17
This whole passage is a list of the ancestors of Jesus. Matthew, the author of the book (although he doesn't take credit anywhere that I know of), has divided the genealogy into three lists of fourteen generations. This is likely a literary device more than an accurate division (but I could be wrong about that). I know that seven in the Bible often references completeness or holiness so perhaps Matthew is saying that the genealogy of Jesus is complete or whole.
Matthew also includes the names of two women and references another without mentioning her name. The names of the two women he includes are foreigners (Rahab and Ruth) and the one he references was involved in adultery with King David. He also mentions Mary at the end of the passage as being the husband of Joseph and the mother of Jesus. It is interesting to me that he doesn't name Bathsheba and that, besides Mary, all the women mentioned are quite closely connected to David.
I can't think of much practical application from this passage. It does remind me of the sovreignty of God: even in the failings of so many of the people included in this list, God was at work to bring out the human lineage of the Messiah according to the prophecies that were made. Even though Satan tried desperately to corrupt the royal line, God preserved his people so that his plan would be fulfilled. If God's plan is to draw people to himself, I can move past my failures with humble confidence and continue my ministry without stress or fear. God's plan depends on God and not on my efforts. This doesn't excuse me from working hard and making plans. It doesn't excuse my sin and failure. It just means that I don't have to be defeated by my failure and that I don't have to take the responsibility of success on myself. God, help me to be faithful to what you have called me to do and to take responsibility for what you have given me - nothing more and nothing less.
This whole passage is a list of the ancestors of Jesus. Matthew, the author of the book (although he doesn't take credit anywhere that I know of), has divided the genealogy into three lists of fourteen generations. This is likely a literary device more than an accurate division (but I could be wrong about that). I know that seven in the Bible often references completeness or holiness so perhaps Matthew is saying that the genealogy of Jesus is complete or whole.
Matthew also includes the names of two women and references another without mentioning her name. The names of the two women he includes are foreigners (Rahab and Ruth) and the one he references was involved in adultery with King David. He also mentions Mary at the end of the passage as being the husband of Joseph and the mother of Jesus. It is interesting to me that he doesn't name Bathsheba and that, besides Mary, all the women mentioned are quite closely connected to David.
I can't think of much practical application from this passage. It does remind me of the sovreignty of God: even in the failings of so many of the people included in this list, God was at work to bring out the human lineage of the Messiah according to the prophecies that were made. Even though Satan tried desperately to corrupt the royal line, God preserved his people so that his plan would be fulfilled. If God's plan is to draw people to himself, I can move past my failures with humble confidence and continue my ministry without stress or fear. God's plan depends on God and not on my efforts. This doesn't excuse me from working hard and making plans. It doesn't excuse my sin and failure. It just means that I don't have to be defeated by my failure and that I don't have to take the responsibility of success on myself. God, help me to be faithful to what you have called me to do and to take responsibility for what you have given me - nothing more and nothing less.
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