Lessons On Matthew - Becoming Closer

This descendant of David was not a king – the kingship had been abolished – but he was aprincipal in the rebuilding of the Temple. 6 About this man, who was not a king but of the royal lineage,two prophets wrote:On the twenty-first of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophetsaying, "Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son ofJehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people saying, 'Who is left among you who saw thistemple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? Does it not seem to you like nothing incomparison? 'But now take courage, Zerubbabel,' declares the LORD, 'take courage also, Joshua son ofJehozadak, the high priest, and all you people of the land take courage,' declares the LORD, 'and work;for I am with you,' declares the LORD of hosts. 'As for the promise which I made you when you came outof Egypt, My Spirit is abiding in your midst; do not fear!' "For thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Once morein a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land. 'I will shakeall the nations; and they will come with the wealth of all nations, and I will fill this house with glory,' saysthe LORD of hosts. 'The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,' declares the LORD of hosts. 'The latterglory of this house will be greater than the former,' says the LORD of hosts, 'and in this place I will givepeace,' declares the LORD of hosts."(Hag 2:1-9 NASB)The prophecy clearly refers to the return of our Lord. Zerubbabel is the stand-in. In these days,a prophecy about a man could be seen as being fulfilled in one of his descendants. The theory(biologically incorrect) was that the descendant was in the ancestor’s body at the time of the prophecy,and therefore it would apply to him. 7Even more startling (and argued over) is this passage:Then the angel who was speaking with me returned and roused me, as a man who is awakenedfrom his sleep. He said to me, "What do you see?" And I said, "I see, and behold, a lampstand all of goldwith its bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps on it with seven spouts belonging to each of the lampswhich are on the top of it; also two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on itsleft side." Then I said to the angel who was speaking with me saying, "What are these, my lord?" So theangel who was speaking with me answered and said to me, "Do you not know what these are?" And Isaid, "No, my lord." Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, 'Not bymight nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts. 'What are you, O great mountain? BeforeZerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of "Grace, grace toit!"'" Also the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundationof this house, and his hands will finish it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you."For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven will be glad when they see the plumb linein the hand of Zerubbabel--these are the eyes of the LORD which range to and fro throughout the earth."Then I said to him, "What are these two olive trees on the right of the lampstand and on its left?" And Ianswered the second time and said to him, "What are the two olive branches which are beside the twogolden pipes, which empty the golden oil from themselves?" So he answered me, saying, "Do you not67See Ezra 3:2-8See, for example, Hebrews 7:1-10 for a parallel example.

know what these are?" And I said, "No, my lord." Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones who arestanding by the Lord of the whole earth."(Zec 4:1-14 NASB)Followers of prophecy have little difficulty identifying the two trees with the two witnesses ofRevelation chapter 11. Various interpretations have been proposed for these two witnesses; but youcan see that the prophecy is connected to this one. Zerubbabel’s anointed ones are the same ones seenby John.Is there a point to all this in the family album? Indeed, several. First, the most unlikely people are found as ancestors of Christ – and if they are fit for His family,we are too. No matter how “outside” you feel, no matter what sins you have committed, he stillsays, “Whosoever will.” Next, just because you’re from a good family doesn’t mean you can presume upon God. Youstill need to come to Him with a humble and contrite heart. And you still have to watch whatyou’re doing. Finally, there is a great day coming, a day longed for and welcome by all those who love God.

The Birth of Jesus – Matthew 1:18-25I know of no subject which divides all of Christianity (including Catholic and Orthodox) morethan the view of the virgin Mary. It is one of the division points between Roman and Greek churches; itis major point of division between Catholic and Protestant as well. It would be a major division pointbetween Protestant and Orthodox too, if we ever got to know each other. But in what follows, we willstick with Matthew’s wording and see what can be learned – and what can be left.Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed toJoseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph herhusband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. Butwhen he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph,son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her isof the Holy Spirit. "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His peoplefrom their sins." Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:"BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEYSHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US." And Josephawoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, butkept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.(Mat 1:18-25 NASB)JosephWe may begin with the seldom studied character of Joseph. He’s a man with a problem. Mary,being betrothed to him, is actually living in the house of Joseph’s parents, if the custom of the timeholds true. As a practical matter of fact, it would have been almost impossible for Joseph to have hadsex with Mary; he certainly reacted as if he was not the father. But in his reaction we can see thecharacter of this righteous man: First, it is clear that he is a follower of the Jewish Law. There is no sex outside marriage. That’swhat he follows; that’s what he expected Mary to follow. We know also that he is not a vengeful man, given to anger – for he stopped to think about thisdevelopment. He is instead a patient man, for he takes time to think through the situation.OptionsFrom his point of view, he had three options: He could make a proclamation concerning Mary, accusing her of adultery (which would be thecase under the Law.) At the least Mary would be ostracized for life; it is quite likely that thevillage would have stoned her to death.

He could, on the other hand, simply pass over the incident and marry her anyway. It would ruinhis reputation, however, for he would then be an accomplice to adultery. He could do as many other families have done – you send her away to some relatives who aren’tlocal, let her have the baby and (perhaps) give the child to someone.In his wisdom, Joseph chose the third option. To select the first would have been vengeful. Toselect the second would make him a sinner also. So, the quiet, peaceful route was chosen. In this thereis wisdom; but God had other plans.A man of obedienceThe method by which Joseph gets his explanation – and his marching orders – is a very personal,intimate one. The angel appears to him in a dream. The shepherds needed the full angel chorus; Zechariahneeded the angel in person; Joseph is sufficiently trusting of God that a dream suffices. The angel reminds him of his ancestry: he is a descendant of David, the king of Israel. Thematter is one of family, then. The dream arrives as Joseph is pondering what to do.Joseph is given two explicit instructions. One concerns the child’s name. It is not apparent inthe English, but the original carries with it the implication that the child’s name is already selected;Joseph is merely being informed as to what it already is. The angel also gives him a command ofcourage: “Do not fear ” Undoubtedly tongues will wag; times will be tough. But do not fear.MaryWe shall skip the usual compendium of arguments about Mary, confining ourselves to listing theprominent views. But before that, we have an interesting question:Why a virgin who was betrothed?Joseph’s male organs are not involved in this; why did God select a young woman who wasalready engaged? First, this gave her son a genealogy. Descent was always taken from the male side of the house;by this logic, Christ’s right to the throne of David comes through Joseph. Second, there is the practical fact that after the fuss dies down, Mary has to live in thecommunity. A single mom with a child out of wedlock would be ostracized at the least(remember the woman at the well?) Also, there is the little matter, seldom mentioned these days, of their flight to Egypt. Such ajourney in those days was perilous indeed with a man; without such she is in real danger of rape.

Views of MaryAs promised, a slightly biased review of the views of Mary: Theotokos. In the Eastern Orthodox view (and many others) Mary is viewed as the “GodBearer.” This view gives Mary a place above other women, for her child was greater than allother men. This view prevailed until Christianity became the official religion of the RomanEmpire. It then became convenient for the new religion to have a Goddess, like the otherreligions. (There are some striking parallels between Mary and, for example, Isis.) Mother of God. This is the Roman Catholic view. In this view, Mary is not only higher, but shealso (in some way) is to be considered part of the Godhead. She therefore takes a prominentplace in worship. Out of this view have come doctrines which “must be true” if Mary is indeed aparticipant in the Godhead. For example, the Immaculate Conception (meaning that Mary wasborn without original sin) and the perpetual virginity of Mary. The clear implication is thatwithout Mary, in particular, Christ could not have come. This has been raised to the pointwhere the late pope, John Paul II, seriously gave consideration to announcing ex cathedra thatMary is co-redemptrix with Christ. Model woman. In the Protestant view Mary is seen as a model of what women should be. Thishas produced its distortions as well, but we may bring out some points regarding her character.oObedience. Like Joseph, this young girl takes on a challenge for which she could nothave prepared. Only the habit of obedience would produce such a meek reply.(Remember, Moses objected to being given his job).oPurity. Could God select someone without a pure heart?oDevotion. In her reply (in Luke) we see one who is so devoted to her God that she callsherself the “handmaid” of God. Not puffing herself up or proclaiming her divinity, she ishappy to be a servant.Henry Halley, a Bible commentator from the 1920s who was a fire breathing opponent of theCatholic Church, condemned that church but separated Mary from her worshippers:“It arose on the ruins of the Roman Empire, in the name of Christ occupying the throne of theCaesars; a Revival of the Image of the Roman Empire inheriting the Spirit thereof; ‘the Ghost of the RomanEmpire come to life in the garb of Christianity’ . It brought itself to power through the prestige of Rome,and the Name of Christ, and by shrewd political alliances, and by deception, and by armed force; and byArmed Force and Bloodshed has maintained itself in power“ (flaming capitals in the original) -- fromwhich you can see how he felt about the Catholic church. Yet see how he views Mary:“Mary was a quiet, meditative, devoted, wise woman, most honored of women, queen of mothers,sharing the cares common to motherhood. We admire her, we honor her, and we love her because shewas the mother of our Savior.”

Virgin BirthWe shall speak somewhat more about the Incarnation in a later lesson, I hope, but the concepthas given the church trouble (and heresy) from the very beginning. The question to be faced is this:How can God, the sovereign of the universe, be a little baby?The Scripture gives us very little to go on. But we may see it in the titles He carried: He called himself the Son of Man – meaning he was of human descent. He didn’t just crawl outof the spaceship. He is also Son of God.These two cannot be reconciled – outside the Virgin Birth.Why is this necessary?Why did God go to this trouble? Why not a flaming angel telling folks to write down his words? First, there is a long history of prophecy – from the Garden of Eden onward – that proclaims thecoming of the Messiah in just this way. We were warned. Next, there is the Law of the Jews – which requires the perfect sacrifice. If his own people are tohave any chance to accept him, this must be satisfied. For those not under the law, they could still understand the concept of ransom – someone elsepaying for my release.There is only one questionWho do you say that Jesus is? I say that He is the one born of the virgin, Mary. So he is fully human as I am. He knows myweaknesses. I say that He is the Christ, the Messiah, the long promised Holy One of Israel. I say that He is the Son of God, bearing the same essence that unites Him with the Father andthe Holy Spirit.This I believe; on this I have staked not only my life, but my life eternal. God helping, I can do noother.

The Magi – Matthew 2:1-12It is the stuff of Christmas; the three wise men bringing gifts to the baby Jesus. Much about thisscene is the addition of legend, but in the truth we know we can see how the homage of these strangersbrings honor and glory to Christ even to this day.Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from theeast arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His starin the east and have come to worship Him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and allJerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of themwhere the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has beenwritten by the prophet: 'AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEASTAMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER WHOWILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.'" Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined fromthem the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefullyfor the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him."After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on beforethem until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoicedexceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; andthey fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts ofgold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, themagi left for their own country by another way.(Mat 2:1-12 NASB)CircumstancesIt is curious that of all circumstances surrounding the birth of the Christ child, the story of theMagi is the one most often challenged. Matthew knew Mary, of course, and we cannot doubt that hegot the story from her. But to the modern, scientific mind, the ancient words seem a puzzle. We shallsee what we can find in the Scriptures to enlighten the story of the Star.The MagiIt is generally agreed that the Magi are astrologers, from somewhere to the east of Jerusalem.Which astrologers, however, is still a matter of debate. Babylonians, Chaldeans, Persians have all beensuggested. But there is one thing we do know about these men from history: they have a track recordof doing things like this. It is recorded in ancient records that certain Magi showed up to make sacrificesin honor of Plato at his death. Similarly, Alexander the Great was so honored at his birth as theconqueror of the east. So we know two things: This was not unique – and we have no idea how it isthey knew anything about this.But there is one thing we can learn from them: note that they did not ask if the King of the Jewswas born – they asked where. You can learn a lot about someone from the questions they ask. Doubtasks if; faith asks where.

The starNothing in this account is as talked of as the star. A supernova, a hallucination, a comet, anastrological conjunction – all these have been suggested. We may gather some clues from the storywhich may help us out.1. Only the Magi saw the star. This implies one of three things. It may be a vision planted in theirbrains by God. It may be some conjunction of the planets and stars which was significant intheir system of astrology. It may also be both, as we shall see.2. They saw it rise in the east – which sounds illogical as they then headed west to investigate. It isa fact that all stars rise in the east, as do the sun and the moon. So evidently it was a heavenlybody of some sort, at least until they reached Jerusalem.3. Consider the sequence of events. First, the Magi see the star in the east – and head toJerusalem. Then they don’t see the star – for they stop to ask directions. They head towardsBethlehem, this time guided by a star that moves before them, ultimately selecting out theplace where the child lay, for which they rejoiced.4. Finally, note that Herod inquired for – and got – the exact time the star appeared. It implies thatthey had an exact time, told in the stars.From this we might draw some conclusions. In the first part of their journey, they seem to haveonly the fact that the King of the Jews was born – which sounds like astrology. But when it wasnecessary to find the precise location, the star moves with them. Rather than call this conundrum, Isubmit it clears it up. Astrology got them close – to Jerusalem. The guidance of God brought them tothe Christ.Our world is like that. Lots of religions and methods will cause you to become a better person.Only Christ can lead you home to the Father.MetaphorsOne thing this passage does: it produces metaphor from Christian writers. Here are three ofprofit: He is indeed the Bright and Morning Star. Do you follow where He leads, or just use the light toread the paper? The kings of the earth do homage at his birth with gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold standsfor the treasures of this earth; fran

An Old Parable - Matthew 22:1- 14 Caesar’s Silver - Matthew 22:15- 22 The Core - Matthew 22:23-46 Seven Woes - Matthew 23 The Mount of Olives – Prophecy - Matthew 24:1-44 Three Parables of the Resurrection - Matthew 24:45- 25:30 Sweet and Terrifying - Matthew 25:31- 46 Devotion and Be