Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."

Matthew 2

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." Matthew 2:1-2

I maintain a pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I continue using DesiringGod.com's Advent devotions where I pick up on Day 7.  Here, John Piper unpacks Matthew 2:1-2.  Piper first contrasts Matthew's account of the gospel with Luke's (see Luke 2:8-18 and also post yesterday). Piper shares: "Unlike Luke, Matthew does not tell us about the shepherds coming to visit Jesus in the stable. His focus is immediately on foreigners — Gentiles, non-Jews — coming from the east to worship Jesus."  Piper then highlights how Matthew's gospel both starts and ends with a focus on how Jesus "[was/is] a universal Messiah for all the nations, not just for Jews."  Piper continues: "Here the first worshipers are court magicians, or astrologers, or wise men not from Israel but from the East — perhaps from Babylon. They were Gentiles. Unclean, according to the Old Testament ceremonial laws."  Of course we know from Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus's words from the Great Commission that gospel is not just for Jews but "all nations."  The devotion then refers us to Isaiah 60:3 as the devotion pivots to how Matthew's focus on non-Jews not only opened the door for Gentiles to be saved, "it added proof that [Jesus] was the Messiah. Because one of the repeated prophecies was that the nations and kings would, in fact, come to him as the ruler of the world." Piper concludes the devotion by sharing that "Matthew adds proof to the messiahship of Jesus and shows that he is Messiah — a King, and Promise-Fulfiller — for all the nations, not just Israel."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me.  Thank You Jesus for including me in Your plan to be saved and so many others.  I am not deserving of such love and compassion.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians,both to the wise and to the foolish.

Romans 1:8-15

 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians,both to the wise and to the foolish. Romans 1:14

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I moved on with a review of Romans 1:8-15.  My initial reading sees an emphasis on Paul's love for the Romans and he is deeply encouraged by their faith and how he longs to be with his fellow believers in Rome. He shares how he is torn between his love and desire to be with the Romans and how he feels a sense of "obligation" or duty to preach among the Greeks and non-Greeks who he refers to as "barbarians" (v14). 

My commentary notes that Paul has not yet been to Rome, so he is "exposing his heart" for the gospel, his mission, and the Romans, and in so doing "he is building rapport" as this is deeply encouraging for his readers.  My commentary contains three key sections for today:

• communion with God (1:8-10); he is described as thankful, and that only humble people show gratitude; we are encouraged to "pepper thanksgiving to God into our everyday conversations with one another"; Paul's passion is on display, including "people-centered passion" where he prays for the Romans and the church; we are encouraged to pray for believers and the church globally as these prayers "really matter; Paul desperately wants to get to Rome but as a busy missionary he has been unable to - yet he submits to God's will
  
• concerns for the church (1:11-13); Paul explains why he is eager to go to Rome as he "wants to bless the church through his gifts of leadership and teaching"; we are encouraged to see how Paul wants to be an encouragement and to be encouraged (v12) and all of us need each other
  
• commitment to preach the gospel to everyone (1:14-15); here we see how Paul sought to reach everyone not just a single people group; we are urged as well to focus on both non-believers and believers as "[w]e need a better understanding of various doctrines, we need to apply them to our lives, and we need to be reminded of our fundamental identity as well as as the hope that is ours in Christ"

In v14-15, RC Sproul in this post highlights a distinction of duty vs delight in our service to God. John Piper highlights how we owe grace to others as God freely gave it to us. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who freely redeemed me from my sin, giving me life to the full and for eternity - thank You Jesus!  Without a doubt I am undeserving.  My sin of worry, and other sins, continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This morning, I continue with the story of "Joseph: Shaky Limbs and Unanswered Questions*".

*Title of lesson six from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day three starts with Max Lucado describing the "lowly manger" scene in Bethlehem where the baby Jesus was born and how OT prophecies (see Micah 5:2 as one example) pointed to this time.  Despite the many prophecies of the coming Messiah, many overlooked the baby Jesus because they were expecting a conquering king, one who would use the "weapons of the world" (in reference to 2 Corinthians 10:4 how believers rely on the power of the Holy Spirit and God's Word) to force submission to his kingdom.  Lucado wants us to be more aware of how God works and to use scripture to help us be more aware - he points to the Parable of the Ten Virgins awaiting the bridegroom in Matthew 25:1-13, and how some of the virgins failed to take oil for their lamps to help them stay awake while waiting.  Jesus sums up the parable to "keep watch". We do want to keep watch and be more aware.  At the same time, we should not be waiting without developing our relationship with Jesus. In Romans 12:2, we are urged to "be transformed by the renewing of the mind...so that [we]will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."  This is supported by what I posted a couple of days ago in a post emphasizing spiritual growth and maturity as a call for all believers. 

Lucado also wants us to to look closely at Joseph's role and how he is not discussed much in the Bible yet his role is key as a "supporting actor" with Mary perhaps being more primary.  God often uses the ordinary and regular for supernatural purposes and He wants those He is using to see how they are part of a bigger plan. 

Discuss and comment on this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has a plan and I am part of the plan - I am humbled that You would love me as You do and would use me.  Thank You for the grace, mercy and patience You have for me.  I am not deserving of such love.  I worry and I have other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.

Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38

Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah. Matthew 1:17

Day 290 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as my commentary* moves further into the New Testament - focusing this morning on genealogies of Jesus found in the books of Matthew and Luke.

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

Matthew provides an account of the line from Abraham, while Luke provides an account from the line all the way back to Adam. My commentary* makes note of how sinful people are used in the line of Jesus, including both Rahab and Manasseh, reinforcing how

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.... Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.

2 Kings 21-23 and 2 Chronicles 33-34

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.... Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses. 2 Kings 22:1-2, 2 Chronicles 34:1-2, and 2 Kings 23:25

Day 203 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move from Nahum's  prophecies back to 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles where my commentary* describes how Nineveh falls "[j]ust as Nahum prophesied", how Manasseh's reign comes to and end in Jerusalem, and how his son takes over - does evil in the eyes of the Lord, and is ultimately assassinated. "He is succeeded by Josiah, the most godly king that Judah has ever known. Josiah takes the throne when he is only eight years old and initiates sweeping reforms when he is 16."

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

 

I am reminded this morning how God uses everyone - including the young and those who may feel ordinary. I think of Amos, of the apostles, and even Paul - referred to as a murderer (see Acts 9:1).  There are countless stories, even in modern day, how God uses everyone in for His glory and purpose.  God equips all who serve.  The only requirement is of course is to love God just as Josiah did - with all your heart, soul, and strength.

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me - I have seen Your hand in my life and in the lives of those around me - extraordinary things through ordinary people.  I am blessed that You would use me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your rich blessings and love.  I worry and I have other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”

Jonah 1-4 and 2 Kings 13-14

But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” Jonah 4:10-11

  

Day 166 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with a study primarily of Jonah, although there is brief mention of how Israel is spared destruction but ultimately responds not by turning back to God but by continuing their worship of foreign gods. Broadly speaking, this morning's takeaway* is "an amazing demonstration of God’s universal grace and divine concern at a time when a rather exclusivistic Israel is in great need of a reminder that, despite being God’s chosen people, their failure to repent actually lowers them to a level of spirituality beneath even penitent pagans." 

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Most of us know the story of Jonah quite well, yet this morning I see an angle I've not previously understood.  Both my commentary* and this post from John Piper (from 1981 no less) point out how Jonah is sent by God to deliver a message not to Israel or Judah (who by the way needed to repent big time!), but to Nineveh, "a foreign, Gentile city" according to Piper (see map here).  Jonah does not want to go to Nineveh because he does not see Nineveh (relative to Israel or Judah) as deserving of rescue. Piper goes on to use the story of Jonah to exhort us to not "despise" but embrace the "free mercy" of God by playing a role in denying the Good News of Jesus Christ to others.  God wants us to deliver this message to EVERYONE and EVERYWHERE!

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  Matthew 28:19

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has rescued me - I am grateful Lord Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your mercy and compassion.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David.

Joshua 1-5

This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David. Matthew 1:1-6

Day 67 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Joshua's initial days as leader of the Israelites as they prepare to cross the Jordan River into the promised land.  Joshua must prepare the Israelites for battle and his spies encounter Rahab, a prostitute (see Joshua 2), who provides critical assistance against Jericho.  Rahab is also in the line of Jesus (see Matthew 1 for genealogy).  In the crossing of the Jordan, the Israelites experience a miracle parting of the waters (see Joshua 3) - just as they did with the parting of the Red Sea during their exodus from Egypt.

God's use of Rahab as an instrument of His plan is of course instructive.  I've previously posted on Rahab - nearly 10 years ago.

God's words of "be strong and courageous" echo this morning in this larger context of how He uses Rahab.  Rahab likely had no idea how she was to be used, and perhaps as a prostitute did not feel as if she was worthy of such use by God, but she demonstrated strength and courage in her belief in God vs strength and courage in her abilities absent God (or vs God).  Our strength and courage must rest in God.

When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. Joshua 2:11

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who gives us life, including strength and courage, particularly during these times of great crisis.  I am not deserving of such love and blessing as I sin and am often harsh to others.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

John 6

Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” v8-9

In John 6, we have  Jesus feeding the five thousand, a story most believers know.  My focus is on Andrew, who is not as well known as most of the other disciples. Andrew is noted in John's account of this story but not in the other gospels' accounts.  

While Andrew is not well known (go here for more on Andrew), we see him pointing a young boy to Jesus - this young boy plays a prominent and up close role in one of Jesus' more well known miracles.  This was a divine appointment indeed and an encouragement for all of us that think we cannot do enough to make a God-sized impact.  The ironic aspect of such thinking is that THIS is the point of Jesus and Holy Spirit - that we NEED Jesus to overcome the world (John 16:33) and through Him we have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:18-21).  Once we recognize this, we should worry less about what we do and instead focus on what He can and will do THROUGH us.  

Just as Andrew was, we are all ordinary human beings but special in the eyes of God and clay in the hands of the potter (God) who is able to sculpt miracles in, for, and through us. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has done many, many amazing things in, for, and through me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such blessings and love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.