Scripture

“God blesses those who are poor and realise their need for him, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.”

Observation

God blesses the poor, the grieving, those who are humble, those who hunger and thirst for justice, the merciful, the pure in heart, and those who are persecuted.

When people mock us and persecute us and lie about us, then a great reward awaits us in Heaven.

Application

God’s value system is diametrically opposed to the world’s value system. The world favours those who push themselves forward and pay their own way. God favours the poor and the humble.

While many people look at the outward appearance, God judges the state of our hearts. So, many who seems successful in this life will not be in the kingdom of heaven.

When the system seems to be stacked against us, and the mockers and liars seem to be winning, then God is at work, overturning the scales. Some of this we see in this life, but we will not see the fullness until we get to heaven.

God tells us to be patient for vindication, for it will come.

Prayer

Lord, you see my situation and my heart. I surrender myself to you and look forward to your blessing. Amen

Scripture

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, ” and I will make you fishers of men.”

Observation

Jesus hears that John has been put in prison, and he returns to Galilee. He begins to preach, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Jesus travels throughout Galilee, teaching, preaching, and healing all kinds of diseases. Large crowds from all over the region begin to follow Him.

Application

Following Jesus is not just about getting saved, important as that is.

Jesus calls us all to be a part of his project of “fishing for men.”

Some people are gifted as evangelists and find this very easy to do. Others struggle with sharing their faith even amongst their friends and family. Paul tells us to always be ready to give the reason for our hope. This means knowing who we trust in and being able to express our joy in being followers of Jesus.

In the kingdom, as in ordinary life, there are the professional “fishers” and occasional “fishers” who sometimes drop a line in. Whichever end of the spectrum we fit in, let us always be ready to pray for our friends and to share the good news when prompted.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for saving me. Please help me to share your good news. Amen.

Scripture

During that time, the devil came and said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

Observation

Jesus is led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted. He fasts for forty days and nights.

During that time, the devil comes to Jesus three times and says, “If you are the son of God… ” Three times Jesus refuses to take the shortcuts and easy routes suggested by Satan.

Finally the devil leaves, and angels to minister to Jesus.

Application

” if you are the son of God…”

Satan delights in putting doubts into our minds and our hearts. That was the original strategy with Eve: “Did God really say?”

We question our calling, our salvation, our assignment, our ability, and so on. It is not us questioning ourselves, but satan sowing seeds of doubt.

In each of the temptations, Jesus responds with scripture, not as a magic spell or a ritual response. No, Jesus really believes the word of God and in its authority. Therefore it is like a powerful sword in his mouth.

Satan is cunning and persistent. One attempt should have been sufficient to show that Jesus is not to be easily led astray. The devil did not go away lick his wounds. He found a different point of attack.

Temptation is a reality for all of us. Persistent repeated temptation is a fact of life. The only solution is to strengthen ourselves in the Lord through reading the Bible, prayer, worship, and fasting.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to stand firm in you and to remain strong in trusting you. Amen.

Scripture

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

Observation

Jesus goes to the Jordan River to be baptised by John. John tries to talk him out of it, but Jesus says that He must do this to carry out what God requires.

As Jesus comes out of the water, the Holy Spirit comes down on Him in the form of a dove. A voice from heaven says, “This my dear Son who brings me great joy.”

Application

By being baptised, Jesus identifies with our sinful nature. Jesus never sinned, although Hhe was tempted in every way. To be baptised into John’s baptism of repentance was an act of humility.

The response of God was impressive. The Holy Spirit came upon Jesus in a visible way. Every on- looker would know that Jesus has been set apart by God for an unprecedented ministry.

The affirmation of the father is powerful.

“This is my son” – an affirmation of identity .

“whom I love” – affirmation of relationship

“He brings me great joy” – affirmation of Purpose

The Father’s blessing at this point was crucial to Jesus setting out in His calling with confidence and joy. This was a declaration by God the Father that He would not abandon his Son.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for your affirmation of me. Thank you for your everlasting, unquenchable love. Amen.

Scripture

” I baptise with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. One is coming soon who is greater than I am – so much greater that I am not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and we fire.”

Observation

John the Baptist begins preaching that people should repent and turn to God for the kingdom of God is near.

John wears clothing made of coarse camel hair and he eats locusts and wild honey.

He condemns the Pharisees and Sadducees for their hypocrisy. John baptises with water, but one is coming who will baptise with Holy Spirit and with fire.

Application

Jesus is not just about saving people from hell. Any of the Old Testament prophets, and John the Baptist, could do that.

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and his resurrection brought the salvation project to the world. We don’t have to be Jewish to be saved. All people are saved by the broken body and the shed blood of Christ.

Jesus came with a two-fold baptism. The baptism in the Holy Spirit cleanses us from sin, cast sout evil spirits, and equips to live in the kingdom of heaven now.

There is also a baptism of fire which represents judgement. The fact that many will be saved suggests that there is something to be saved from, and that’s some will not be saved. The coming of salvation represents also the coming of judgement – all who do not receive Jesus as their Lord will be condemned.

Jesus baptises his followers with the Holy Spirit, but those who refuse to follow him receive a baptism in the fire of judgement.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the baptism in the Holy Spirit which empowers me to live for you. Amen.

Scripture

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. “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.”

Observation

Following Herod’s death, an angel appears to Joseph in a dream. He tells him that it is safe to return to Israel.

So Joseph and Mary pack their belongings and return to Israel. But then Joseph hears that Herod’s son is king, so he takes them to Nazareth in Galilee.

Application

The Lord speaks to his people in various ways. In Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth, there are half a dozen references to angels appearing in dreams to Joseph and also to the Magi.

Some people are very dream oriented, but most Christians, at least in the West, tend not to take notice of dreams. On the other hand, there are numerous accounts of whole villages dreaming about Jesus in a single night and, as a result, thousands of Muslims turning to Christ.

If you are blessed with many dreams, it is a good idea to write them down when you wake up. Then pray over them, asking the Lord to show you what they mean.

Whatever ways God uses to speak to you, whether through dreams or other means, always remember to check them again Scripture. The Word of God is the only infallible revelation.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for this ability to hear you so intimately. Please help me to listen to the things you say. Amen.

Scripture

Coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

Observation

Some wise men from the east come to Jerusalem and ask, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?”

King Herod is disturbed by this, so he asks the religious leaders where the Christ is to be born. They tell him Bethlehem. Herod sends the Magi to Bethlehem and ask them to report back to him when they find him.

They follow the star to Bethlehem, where they find Jesus. They worship him and present their gifts to him. Then they return home without passing through Jerusalem.

Application

The true response to Jesus is to worship him and give him our gifts.

To worship means to honour with our hearts, expressing love and devotion to Him. Worship should never be a dull ritual, because the Lord is the focal point of our attention. We should feel awe, perhaps even fear.

Having worshipped the Lord we give him our gifts. Our money is His and everything we own. Our ambitions and plans need to be given to Him, in fact our whole life belongs to Him.

Salvation is free, but discipleship costs us everything.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I worship you and offer back to you all that I am and have. Please help me to live for you alone. Amen.

Scripture

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.

Observation

Mary is engaged to Joseph, but becomes pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph is going to break the engagement quietly so as not to disgrace her.

An angel appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him that the baby within Mary was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and He will save His people from their sins.

Joseph does what the angel commands. He names the baby Jesus.

Application

The equivocations of some theologians about the miracles in the gospels amaze me. There are quite a few who believe in the resurrection of Jesus, although maybe not a physical one. Some accept the healings but not the power miracles.

The virgin birth is a real stumbling block to some people. Our society is so obsessed with sex. People cannot or will not believe that Mary conceived Jesus without any sexual activity.

The God who created the universe would literally have no difficulty in inserting an embryo into Mary’s uterus.

This is important, because all humanity is conceived with sin. It is in our DNA. Jesus had to be sinless. He needed a new DNA, like that of Adam, so that he was completely free from inherited sin.

This little sentence in Matthew’s gospel is foundational to our salvation through Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Father, you can do anything you choose. Please help me to believe for miracles in my own life. Amen.

Scripture

Salmon was the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz was the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth.

Observation

Matthew’s gospel begins with a genealogy, a list of the ancestors of Jesus. This list concludes with “Mary gave birth to Jesus who is called the Messiah.”

There are, in total, 42 generations from Abraham to Joseph, listed in three groups of 14 generations.

Application

I don’t get excited about genealogies in the Bible. The lists of names do not resonate with me. They were important for ancient people to locate individuals in the great stories of history.

Matthew mentions three women in his genealogy. This is a political or theological statement in its own right. Women are important and a big part of God’s plan.

Rahab helped Joshua’s invasion of the Promised Land. She was a prostitute. Anybody can be a part of God’s people regardless of their past.

Ruth was fiercely loyal to her mother-in-law Naomi through family tragedies. She clung to faith in the God of Israel, even though it seemed that God had abandoned them.

Bathsheba was widowed because of the lust and subsequent perfidy of David.

These women were all dealt bad hands in life, but in different ways remained faithful to God.

As a result, they became big names in God’s story.

Prayer

Lord, success in your kingdom is just being faithful to you. Please help me to trust you and obey you always. Amen.