Notes on Matthew 1.18-25 Advent 4 22 December 2013
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- Written by: Dale
- Category: Notes on the Gospel readings from Matthew
Notes on Matthew 1.18-25 Advent 4 22 December 2013
The beginning of Matthew’s gospel is more interesting than it looks. Matthew gives 8 verses to tell about the birth of Jesus from the point of view of Joseph (the actual birth is described in just one verse). He gives 17 verses to explain that Jesus descended from Abraham.
The genealogy does not seem very interesting. It seems to be a long list of names. But there are two things we should note. One is to notice the five women who are mentioned, and to remember their stories. The other is to see that Matthew organises his list of ancestors into three sets of fourteen generations. He makes Abraham, David and the exile the significant starting points for the story of God’s people.
Matthew wants us to see that Jesus comes from the line of Abraham and David. In this way he comes as the one who fulfills the promises of the Old Testament.
The story of Mary’s pregnancy fits the stories of the women in the genealogy. Joseph is very embarrassed that Mary has become pregnant before they have been married. Although they are engaged, or pledged to each other, the marriage had not yet taken place. Until they were married they were not allowed to have sexual relations.
The fact that Mary was pregnant meant that Joseph could divorce her. It could have been a very bad event for Mary. Joseph decided to divorce her quietly so that she would not suffer public shame.
Read more: Notes on Matthew 1.18-25 Advent 4 22 December 2013
The least in the Kingdom is greater that John Matthew 11.2-11
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The least in the Kingdom is greater that John Matthew 11.2-11
Sermon preached at Christ the King Willetton on 15 December 2013
Bible Readings: Isaiah 35.1-10; Psalm 146; James 5.7-10
What's so good about Jesus; What's so great about John; How are the least greater than John? And what can we do about it?
Shall we see the like again? 15 Dec13
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Shall we see the like again?
This week has seen amazing scenes of tribute, thanksgiving and grief for Nelson Mandela. Many of us can look back to the time when we first saw him emerge as a leader in his country. Some of us saw this earlier than others. Those who have lived in South Africa were no doubt aware of his emergence up close.
For all of us I suppose there was a process of changing our mind. Or becoming more aware of what the issues were. For some it was not so much a matter of understanding the issues but of seeing where a solution might lie. Or of changing our minds about the kind of solution that would be best.
Many have rightly paid tribute to the courage and persistence of Mr Mandela. Some have asked whether we shall see his like again. Let us hope we will. (It would be good to hope that we wouldn’t need to, but we do.) We have seen his like before. Not often, but from time to time a person has been used to make a huge change in a nation. Gandhi is a great example. And Aung San Suu Kyi is still on the way.
We pray that Syria, Egypt, and other nations might also have the benefit of a great and uniting leader to restore their life.
Where do these leaders come from?
Notes on Matthew 11.2-11 Advent 3 15 December 13
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- Written by: Dale
- Category: Notes on the Gospel readings from Matthew
Notes on Matthew 11.2-11 Advent 3 15 December 13
This passage tells us about three people.
The first is Jesus. John the Baptist has been preparing the way for the Messiah. But is Jesus the Messiah? John is now in prison. Perhaps he is not sure about Jesus. His messengers ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” This reminds us that Jesus didn’t act in the way that many expected the Messiah to act.
Jesus’ answer is to remind the messengers about some prophecies from the Old Testament (11.5). Isaiah 35.4-6 and Isaiah 61.1 are two places to look. Jesus says he is doing what the Old Testament said would happen when the Lord came to save his people. John is to understand that Jesus is the Messiah they were expecting.
The second person is John the Baptist. Jesus explains who John is. The crowds went out into the wilderness to see someone who was different. A prophet. But more than a prophet. This was the special messenger sent to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. Malachi 3 tells about this messenger. At the end of Malachi, he is named as Elijah. Elijah has been dead a long time by the time Malachi writes. The prophecy means that someone like Elijah will come to prepare for the Lord’s coming. John is that one, says Jesus (11.14).
Together Jesus and John the Baptist are very important signs that God is doing what he said he would. He is about to redeem his people.
Notes on Matthew 3.1-12 Second Sunday in Advent 8 December 2013
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Notes on Matthew 3.1-12 Second Sunday in Advent 8 December 2013
There are at least three important things in this passage.
1. John’s ministry: John the Baptist says that he is preparing the way for the Lord. He is doing what the famous passage in Isaiah 40 said would happen. He is dressed like Elijah (2 Kings 1.8). This is significant because the Old Testament said that Elijah would come before the great day of the Lord (Malachi 4.5). John is preparing God’s people for the coming of the Lord. He does this by calling them to repentance. This is the same message that Jesus preached (Matthew 4.17).
2. The leaders of Israel are warned: Some of the Pharisees and Sadducees came to listen to John. John is not impressed. He gives them two warnings. They also must repent. And they must show they have repented by behaving differently. The second warning is that they must not rely on the fact that they are descendants of Abraham. They have to behave like descendants of Abraham John gives them a strong warning of coming judgement.
3. He tells about the ministry of Jesus: John is baptising people who repent with water. Jesus will baptise with the Holy Spirit. The Old Testament made two big promises about the Holy Spirit. One set of promises said that God would send a leader who was filled with the Holy Spirit. Another set of promises said that the Holy Spirit would be poured out on all God’s people. Jesus comes as the one who is filled with the Spirit. He is also the one who will baptise all of God’s people with the Holy Spirit. Jesus will also bring the fire of judgement. He will clean up God’s people, and get rid of all that is bad.
The meaning for us seems clear: make sure we have repented. That we serve the Lord Jesus with the Holy Spirit he has given us. That we show by our lives that we have repented.
Be Ready Matthew 24.36-25.13
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Be Ready! Matthew 24.36 - 25.13
Sermon preached at Christ the King Willetton on Advent Sunday 1 December 2013
Bible Readings: Isaiah 2.1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13.9-14
If the Lord comes suddenly at a time we do not know, how should we be ready? Four stories tell us what we need to do.
Are we there yet? 1 Dec 13
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Are we there yet?
Advent Sunday can be the start of a confusing time. We know it has something to do with the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. But with at least two comings to deal with, it is easy to get disoriented.
And that is without taking into account a couple of other comings that are mentioned in the Bible.
Most of us don’t have that frustrated urgency of the children in the back seat of the car wondering whether they have reached their holiday destination before they have even got onto the main highway. Many of us have settled into the frame of mind of the endless serial that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.
A sort of Home and Away religion. So is Jesus returning? After so long?
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