Testing...Testing...Testing...

2 Cor. 13, Matthew 1-5

Another weekend and I am behind again. I find all of this so fascinating and I have been learning about the Christian story my entire life. There is just sooooo much to know. And the more I learn, the happier I am that I know how much I know - and who I am known to . I have more confidence and more questions, more assurance, and better relationships because I am not afraid to be vulnerable and I am not afraid to have boundaries.

In one of my conversations today there was a question about judgment, character, and leadership. Then as I began catching up on my reading I run across 2 Cor. 13:5 "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless of course you fail the test". This reminds me of the story that will be coming up in Matthew 7 about looking at the log in your own eye before looking at the speck in your brothers eye. We are all sinners in some way shape or form. The Christ in me meets the Christ in you, and we walk together to build a better world.

Matthew wants to help us understand that what God promised in the Old Testament has come true in Jesus. 40 times he states, "It is written..." and where those quotes come from is the OT.

Don't skip the genealogy! It includes 5 women - Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, "the wife of Uriah", and Mary. Jesus is in the line of King David. His kingship and kingdom will be emphasized.

What is the first miracle in the New Testament? It is not something Jesus does. It is something God does for humanity. God acts through Jesus to save humanity. The virgin Mary conceives a son. That is the first miracle.

The story of the Wise Men is a description of the pilgrimage of the nations that will come to worship this king. Check out Isaiah 60:3-6. Have you ever noticed that scripture before in relation to this story?

In Chapter 2 is the story of Herod having all the children under age 2 killed. When I think of all the children in our church under 2 and their parents, I can't imagine all the grief there was that was felt in that community. Where was God? That will probably be one of my questions I would like an answer to when I get to heaven. There are many times I have wondered why God did not intervene in history. There are many times I have wondered why God did not intervene in my own life!

We get introduced to John the Baptist in chapter 3. He does not seem like the cheerful kind of guy offering a word of welcome. "Repent!" is his warning. See Isaiah 9:1-2.

Jesus' baptism is a baptism of repentance - and act of obedience. Matthew will continue to emphasize Jesus's servanthood. Look up Isaiah 42:1. Sound familiar?

The temptations (testing) in chapter 4 are meant to be an example to us. Jesus could have used miracles to help bring about the kingdom. Instead - he quotes scripture. 4 times he quotes the Old Testament to keep Satan from getting to him. Try it. It can work miracles even today for you when you face challenges.

Chapter 4:14-16 is Matthew's justification that Galilee was the principle location for Jesus ministry. See Isaiah 9:1-2.

Then in verse 18 we see what it means to follow Jesus. No long term in depth Bible study. Just follow. Not scholars - fishermen. Although they may have been scholars who just decided fishing was better than books. Now fishing for people? What do you think they think they are going to do now? What will they do with the people they catch?

Chapter 5 is called the sermon on the mount and is so full of meaning, that I think I will save it for tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone who is learning how to blog, comment on blogs, and how to follow blogs. I appreciate your emailing me when you are frustrated and commenting on FB. Hope you continue to enjoy the challenge.