Gospel of Matthew series: Chapter One: Fitting Jesus into humanity

GOSPEL OF MATTHEW SERIES:

 

THE BIBLE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW SERIES.

Chapter One: Fitting Jesus into humanity

If you were to picture Jesus, what would you see?  A healer? The Forgiver or a kind accepting man of love?

Perhaps you might see Jesus as He walked on water or quietened the storms or even the patient martyr dying for others?

In Mathew's Gospel he paints for us Jesus the teacher as a consistent picture in amongst some of the other paintings you may have imagined.  Jesus does not give us soft and easy teachings, rather at times they seem impractical and impossible to accomplish such as 'Love thy enemies, pray for those who persecute you or even be perfect just as your Heavenly Father is perfect.'  We might even like the people of Jesus' time walk the other way and not follow Him anymore.

But before you are tempted to quit following Jesus why not compare these two texts since Matthew wants to show us that Jesus' teaching had a purpose and a mission. Matthew 5:17 says:

 "Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. (Mt 5:17-18)

Compare this text with the following text:

So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith.  But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. (Gal 3:24-29).

CHAPTER 1: Fitting Jesus into Humanity.

In Chapter One, Matthew sets the scene for us and places Jesus into human history. From verse 1-16, we are given the genealogy of Jesus, then later we are told the circumstances of Jesus' birth. The interlinking verse 17 is vital also since it provides us with the ever-important number of generations. Matthew is pointing out that this is God's plan- no accident that this should come about in this manner.

Within the 25 verses of chapter 1, 16 verses are taken up with the genealogy of Jesus- the family tree.  It places Jesus into a context in human history- He had his own family tree, just as we have our own background. When we look at the genealogy we notice that the pattern of  someone was the father of someone is broken at verse 16 " [Mat 1:16] and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. "

In this short verse, an important theological point is made, that is that Joseph is Mary's husband who bore Jesus. Joseph is not named as the father of Jesus- God is the Father of Jesus, however Joseph is the foster father. We also notice that only the fathers are mentioned up to this verse.

Then from verses 18-25 provides a picture of the circumstances in which Jesus came to be born.

 LEARNING FROM CHAPTER 1 FOR OUR LIVES

So what do we learn and use from Chapter 1 for our lives?

1.            Family is important in Scripture, even the 'relatives with skeletons in the closet'.

2.            Ignoring the wisdom of the past or what God has planned for us in our lives is detrimental as it does not provide us with continuity. (vs [Mat 1:22-23] All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel"  (which means, God with us).
 

3.            The approach of Joseph in carrying out God's will for him.  Joseph is

o        attuned to the promptings of God within him, 

o        accesses the situation for himself 

o        decides on an action plan (Mt 119: and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly".

o         listens to the advice of the angel ([Mat 1:20-21]... "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary  your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 

o        Carries out swiftly what God has asked of him ( Mt 1:24 ' When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife to his home' 

 ACTION PLAN FROM CHAPTER 1.
This week as we reflect on chapter 1, we may wish to:

·                     re-read this chapter carefully becoming aware of the ancestry of Jesus. (My series on the Jesse Tree may assist you in your research of some of the forebears of Christ.)

·                     Research some of your own ancestry and pray for them.

·                     Spend some reflection time with God regarding one desire/concern asking Him to show you His will in the matter.

·                     Enlist the assistance of St Joseph to help you formulate your action plan, and to carry it out with confidence knowing that it the will of God for you.

·                     Examine our past to see the thread of continuity and God's will being woven into our tapestry of life.

So with these short 25 verses, Jesus our teacher has much to teach us.

Let us put on our 'learners, sit at the feet of Jesus the teacher and learn from Him this week