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"Legacy"
Legacy Posts will be presented in Weekly Formats
Begining in May and starting ASAP posts as part of our "Legacy Series" will be posted on Monday AM for the Week. Some of the Classics will post a Sun-Sat; others will be Mon-Fri. This "note" or one similar to it will proceed all Last Call posts for the remainder of this year; 2011. The benefit to the reader is to have a "weeks" worth of Devotions to Read.
As a "free ministry" the Network has exapnded globally and this is a adjustment to grow with that need. The "Current" Series of Devotions will begin to follow the same format. It is likely that many in the "Current" series will be on a One week delay. Any comments or questions please write:
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This Weeks
Bob Caldwell
Friday
MATTHEW 1:1-17
“Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah.” -Matthew 1:5-6
Matthew begins his recounting of the life of Jesus by linking Him to the father of the Jewish nation, Abraham. This would have been crucial, as this account was written primarily for Jewish readers. This family connection not only links Jesus to Israel in general, but more importantly to the amazing promise given to Abraham concerning the future of the Jewish people. This promise foretold that from the family of King David, which came from the tribe of Judah, would come the promised Messiah. Matthew will go on to use more evidence from the Old Testament scriptures than any other New Testament book to prove that Jesus is the actual fulfillment of the ancient prophetic promises concerning a Messiah, who would bring salvation and God’s kingdom to all the world.
Matthew also identifies people in the genealogy of Jesus who prepare us for the revolutionary life and teachings of Jesus. Matthew includes women in this genealogy, which was not common. Matthew reveals some who were remembered who had sinful pasts. These women committed sins similar to the sins Jesus openly forgave in His public ministry—but His forgiveness angered many of the religious leaders of His day.
Rahab, who had been a harlot, is on of these women found in this genealogy (Matt. 1:5, Heb. 11:31, Joshua 2:1). Bathsheba is also indirectly listed, as the mother of Solomon. But she adulterously conceived Solomon with David, while she was married to Uriah. Tragic sins, but sins Jesus would be identified with as forgiving when He called people to repent and begin new lives of faith in God. As we begin this amazing account of Christ’s life, may we be prepared to remove our own prejudices and religious blinders concerning Christ and His message. It is only then that the blessings Jesus promised to the entire world will become a personal reality to you.
The Genealogy of Jesus Christ
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:
2 Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. 4 Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. 5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, 6 and Jesse begot David the king.
David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. 7 Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. 8 Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. 9 Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. 11 Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon.
Introduction to Gospel Of Matthew
The gospel of Matthew was written by a former tax collector (Matt. 9:9-13). He was one of the Twelve Apostles. This gospel was likely the only N.T. book originally written in Hebrew, as it was written with the Jews especially in mind. There are more than 50 direct citations from the Old Testament, and nearly 75 allusions to the Old testament.
Genealogy (Verses 1-17) (Luke 3:23-28)
v. 1 Genealogy – This is to show the roots of the legal father of Jesus - Joseph - as a descendant of the first Jew - Abraham - to whom the promise was given (Gal. 3:16, Gen. 17:7), as well as of king David, from whose family line the Messiah would come.
Jesus – “Joshua” The translation of the Hebrew word Messiah into Greek signifies “anointed one.”
v. 2 Abraham – The father of all Jews.
v. 3 Judah – This is the tribe chosen out of the twelve tribes of Israel from whom the Messiah would come.
v. 4 Tamar – The first of four women listed in this genealogy, which was unusual as women normally were not included (Rahab v. 5 ; Ruth v. 5, Bathsheba v. 6).
v. 5 Rahab – A prostitute in Jericho who protected the Hebrews who spied out the Promised Land.
Ruth – A Moabite who married Boaz, a Hebrew from the tribe of Judah.
v. 6 King David – His was the one who received the promise from God that the Messiah would come from his family line and have an endless rule (Ps. 89:4).
Bathsheba – The wife of Uriah with whom David had committed adultery and married after her husband was killed.
v. 7 Solomon – He was the child born to Bethsheba and David. He would become the wealthiest king Israel ever had. Toward the end of his rule he fell away from God and supported the idolatry of his many pagan wives.
v. 8 Ozias (KJV) or Uzziah – Three Kings are omitted: Ahaziah, Jocesh, Amaziah, done likely to secure symmetry by bringing the number of names to fourteen.
v. 11 Jeconiah – Omitted here is Jehoiakim who was the son of Josiah and the father of Jeconiah (I Chron. 3:15-16).
12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. 13 Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. 14 Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. 15 Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. 16 And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.
v. 12 Babylon – This was the world power that was used by God to judge the Jews for their rebellion against God by serving as slaves for 70 years in Babylon.
v. 13 Abiud – The son of Zerubbabel, his name and the following eight, up to Jacob (v. 15) belong to the 400 year period before the birth of Christ, a period that is not referred to in the Old Testament.
v. 16 Joseph – There are three sets of fourteen names, done to assist in memorizing and to indicate the three great periods of their history. #1 from Abraham to David; #2 from David to the captivity in Babylon; #3 from the captivity to Joseph, the husband of Mary. The line of Joseph is used rather than Mary because the lineage of a family was generally linked to the fathers in Jewish literature. This would be important to the Jewish readers who Matthew was primarily writing to.
Matthew begins his recounting of the life of Jesus by linking Him to the father of the Jewish nation, Abraham. This would have been crucial, as this account was written primarily for Jewish readers. This family connection not only links Jesus to Israel in general, but more importantly to the amazing promise given to Abraham concerning the future of the Jewish people. This promise foretold that from the family of King David, which came from the tribe of Judah, would come the promised Messiah. Matthew will go on to use more evidence from the Old Testament scriptures than any other New Testament book to prove that Jesus is the actual fulfillment of the ancient prophetic promises concerning a Messiah, who would bring salvation and God’s kingdom to all the world.
Matthew also identifies people in the genealogy of Jesus who prepare us for the revolutionary life and teachings of Jesus. Matthew includes women in this genealogy, which was not common. Matthew reveals some who were remembered who had sinful pasts. These women committed sins similar to the sins Jesus openly forgave in His public ministry—but His forgiveness angered many of the religious leaders of His day.
Rahab, who had been a harlot, is on of these women found in this genealogy (Matt. 1:5, Heb. 11:31, Joshua 2:1). Bathsheba is also indirectly listed, as the mother of Solomon. But she adulterously conceived Solomon with David, while she was married to Uriah. Tragic sins, but sins Jesus would be identified with as forgiving when He called people to repent and begin new lives of faith in God. As we begin this amazing account of Christ’s life, may we be prepared to remove our own prejudices and religious blinders concerning Christ and His message. It is only then that the blessings Jesus promised to the entire world will become a personal reality to you.
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:
2 Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. 4 Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. 5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, 6 and Jesse begot David the king.
David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. 7 Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. 8 Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. 9 Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. 11 Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon.
Introduction to Gospel Of Matthew
The gospel of Matthew was written by a former tax collector (Matt. 9:9-13). He was one of the Twelve Apostles. This gospel was likely the only N.T. book originally written in Hebrew, as it was written with the Jews especially in mind. There are more than 50 direct citations from the Old Testament, and nearly 75 allusions to the Old testament.
Genealogy (Verses 1-17) (Luke 3:23-28)
v. 1 Genealogy – This is to show the roots of the legal father of Jesus - Joseph - as a descendant of the first Jew - Abraham - to whom the promise was given (Gal. 3:16, Gen. 17:7), as well as of king David, from whose family line the Messiah would come.
Jesus – “Joshua” The translation of the Hebrew word Messiah into Greek signifies “anointed one.”
v. 2 Abraham – The father of all Jews.
v. 3 Judah – This is the tribe chosen out of the twelve tribes of Israel from whom the Messiah would come.
v. 4 Tamar – The first of four women listed in this genealogy, which was unusual as women normally were not included (Rahab v. 5 ; Ruth v. 5, Bathsheba v. 6).
v. 5 Rahab – A prostitute in Jericho who protected the Hebrews who spied out the Promised Land.
Ruth – A Moabite who married Boaz, a Hebrew from the tribe of Judah.
v. 6 King David – His was the one who received the promise from God that the Messiah would come from his family line and have an endless rule (Ps. 89:4).
Bathsheba – The wife of Uriah with whom David had committed adultery and married after her husband was killed.
v. 7 Solomon – He was the child born to Bethsheba and David. He would become the wealthiest king Israel ever had. Toward the end of his rule he fell away from God and supported the idolatry of his many pagan wives.
v. 8 Ozias (KJV) or Uzziah – Three Kings are omitted: Ahaziah, Jocesh, Amaziah, done likely to secure symmetry by bringing the number of names to fourteen.
v. 11 Jeconiah – Omitted here is Jehoiakim who was the son of Josiah and the father of Jeconiah (I Chron. 3:15-16).
12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. 13 Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. 14 Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. 15 Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. 16 And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.
v. 12 Babylon – This was the world power that was used by God to judge the Jews for their rebellion against God by serving as slaves for 70 years in Babylon.
v. 13 Abiud – The son of Zerubbabel, his name and the following eight, up to Jacob (v. 15) belong to the 400 year period before the birth of Christ, a period that is not referred to in the Old Testament.
v. 16 Joseph – There are three sets of fourteen names, done to assist in memorizing and to indicate the three great periods of their history. #1 from Abraham to David; #2 from David to the captivity in Babylon; #3 from the captivity to Joseph, the husband of Mary. The line of Joseph is used rather than Mary because the lineage of a family was generally linked to the fathers in Jewish literature. This would be important to the Jewish readers who Matthew was primarily writing to.
Saturday
The miraculous conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary brought together God and man like no other event in human history. Over the centuries, God had spoken to humanity through men and women who were themselves sinners like the rest of us. But now, through the virgin birth of Christ, God would literally be among us as a man, just as it was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah (Is. 7:14). But the miracle of God becoming “flesh” (John 1:1-5, 14-18) only grew in wonder when God made known to the world that the purpose of His coming was to save us from our sins (v. 21). As Christ Himself proclaimed, He came not to condemn the world, but to save it. It was God’s heart of love that sent Jesus to save us from the alienation and judgment sin has cursed us with. Yet in spite of God’s grace revealed at the cross, it’s shocking how mixed humanity’s response to Him was and still is. The religious leaders who knew the scriptures well enough to pinpoint the prophesied birthplace of Christ had no desire to go and see this wonder of grace for themselves. The political response wasn’t very encouraging either. In 2:10-18 we will read that King Herod was so threatened by the possibility of people giving their allegiance to Christ rather than himself that he responded with an order to murder all the children in Bethlehem who would have been born or near the time of Christ’s birth, in the hope of killing Christ. There were a few who did seek out this king born in Bethlehem, but they were wise men from Persia. And so it’s been ever since. The followers of Christ continue to be some of the most unexpected disciples. What is your response to Christ and the purpose of His coming? Have you genuinely bowed before Him, accepting that God has come among us to save us from our sins? Jesus is much more than a theological discussion point or a political threat to egomaniacs. He is the Savior of the world, born among men by the power of the Holy Spirit. 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” 24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS. The Birth of Jesus (Verses 18-25) (Luke 2:17) v. 18 Espoused – This preceded marriage, but was more binding than engagement is in our own culture. This relationship was legally binding and required a filing of divorce if it was broken off. If the groom died, the bride was considered a widowed virgin. Of the Holy Spirit – Literally “out of,” marking the Holy Spirit as the source and cause of her pregnancy. Mary – She was most likely from Nazareth. She had a sister by same name (John 19:25). In Luke 3 there is a record of her belonging to the line to David. Elizabeth, John the Baptist’s mother, was a relative of Mary. Mary reveals her deeply spiritual life in her “song” in Luke 1:46-55. Joseph – Very little is recorded about him. We know he was a carpenter (Matt. 13:55), and a righteous man (Matt. 1:19). Joseph is never referred to as the father of Jesus and the scriptures make clear that he and Mary remained sexually pure until after the birth of Christ. v. 19 Just – He was just in that He sought a just solution coupled with mercy. He did not want to publicly embarrass Mary. Put away – This would normally have been completely acceptable since those espoused to each other were legally under a marriage commitment. v. 20 Conceived of the Holy Spirit – The eternal Word“logos” (Gk.), who was with God and was God became a man, having been literally conceived in the womb of Mary by the Holy Spirit (John 1:1-14). In this God provided a sinless Savior who would not only reveal God (John 14:9), but would redeem mankind from his fallen state. v. 21 Jesus – This word is the same as Joshua is in the Greek, and means “Yahweh (Lord) will save.” v. 23 Immanuel – Means “God with us.” A title more than a personal name, identifying the Messiah as God Himself, coming and dwelling among us (John 1:14). v. 25 Did Not Know Her – Refers to sexual purity until after the birth of Jesus. Wise Men from the East 1 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, 2 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.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6 ‘ But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, 7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” Chapter 2 The Visit of the Magi (Verses 1-12) v. 1 Herod – This Herod is the first of many Herods mentioned in the Bible. He was related to Antipates, father of Julius Caesar. He ruled over the Galilean region of Rome. He began the reconstruction of the Temple (called Herod’s Temple) in Jerusalem. He provided race tracks, theaters, and other improvements to try to win over the loyalties of the Jews. He married a Jewish woman, but being an extremely paranoid man, he later had his wife killed, his high priest drowned, and three of his own sons killed. On his death bed he ordered the leading Jewish people in Jerusalem killed at his death so there would be mourning in Jerusalem, because he felt no one would mourn his own passing. Magi (wise men) – There is no reference in scripture that these men were kings or that they were three in number. However, we are told they came from the east, i.e. Persia. History tells us that these wise men from Persia were generally monotheists, skilled in astronomy, astrology, and cultic practices. They would also have been influenced by Daniel’s prophetic knowledge of the coming Messiah. They were also involved in Medo-Persian and Babylonian politics. It was these Magi whom Daniel the prophet ruled over (Dan. 2:24-43) as a key leader in Persia during the Jews’ captivity there. v. 2 The Star – There has been much speculation, but little is known about this star. It may have simply been bright light from the glory of God that led them, like the light seen by the shepherds (Luke 2:9). This light did re-appear and guide them from Jerusalem (Matt. 2:9). v. 3 Herod’s Paranoia – Refer to the notes on verse 1. v. 4 Chief Priests – Refers to the current chief priest, his assistants, and the former chief priests who were still living. Scribes – Those who transcribed and studied the scriptures. Christ – Greek for Messiah, which means a “coming deliverer and king.” v. 5,6 Micah 5:2 – Quoted with some change in phraseology. 9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. v. 9 The Star – The light or star re-appears. v. 11 Worshiped – These Magi in some way knew the importance and significance of the deity of the Messiah. Gold – Signified Jesus as King. Frankincense – Signified Jesus’ priestly role (Lev. 2:2 & 2:15,16). Myrrh – Signified Jesus’ sacrificial death (myrrh was used for embalming, John 19:39).
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”
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