Matthew – My Personal Journey by Henry Luke

The Flight to Egypt and return to live in Nazareth – Part 8

The Flight to Egypt and return to live in Nazareth – Part 8

The Visit of the Magi – Part 7

The Visit of the Magi – Part 7

Mary visits Elizabeth and an angel of the Lord visits Joseph – Part 3.

Mary visits Elizabeth and an angel of the Lord visits Joseph – Part 3.

Give me Life

Psalm 119:25 My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word! [ESV]

“My soul clings to the dust,” This may suggest two ideas, that of deep sin and/or that of death. “Give me life according to your word!” means restoring eternal life on earth and for eternity by faith as described in God’s Word. [Genesis 3:15, 15:6, Romans 4:3,3:23, 6:23, 10:9] ^[A]

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Disclaimer: My Personal Journey by Henry Luke has no control over any advertising that may appear on this blog post and receives no payment for it. Ads & their links come from Word Press or other sources.

[Notes]: A– [1] For how to have peace with God and become a Disciple ^[Y]click here, [2] For how to have the peace of God and grow as a Disciple click here, and [3] for how to teach Disciples to be Disciple-makers click here;. Y- “Disciples” or “Christians”?;

Jesus expands the Law

H & E-^[X] The Sermon on the Mount includes Matthew 5-7 – The sermon tells Disciples ^[A]how to live. Matthew 5:21-48 continues by telling Disciples ^[Y]how we are to relate in our personal relationships.

Teaching about Anger

²¹“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ ²²But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!

Teaching about Adultery

²⁷“You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ ²⁸But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

Teaching about Revenge

³⁸“You have heard the law that the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.

Teaching about Love for Enemies

⁴³“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. ⁴⁴But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! ⁴⁶If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. ⁴⁷If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.

A-Jesus took the Old Testament law and dramatically expanded it under grace and faith.

R-O God help me to keep Your New Testament commandments through the power of Your indwelling Spirit.

The Sermon on the Mount – Disciples are to be Salt and Light

H- Matthew 5:13-16…¹⁶Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

E- The Sermon on the Mount includes Matthew 5-7 – The sermon tells Disciples ^[A]how to live. Matthew 5:13-16 continues by telling Disciples how we are to relate to the people of the world as salt and light. V.16 includes three parts about our light:

“Let your light shine before men” [men and women] – The light of our life reveals either Jesus-centeredness or self-centeredness. It is either one or the other depending on our relationship with the indwelling Holy Spirit. When we are controlled by the Holy Spirit we will reveal the glory of Jesus.

“in such a way that they may see your good works,” When we are Jesus-centered we will produce good works!

“glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Our good works will glorify our Father in heaven. When a person is born again – at their salvation – they instantly become a child of God, a member of the family of God. God is our Father and Jesus is our Brother. Our good works glorify Our Father and draw the lost to Jesus.

A-May my good works glorify God.

R-O God help me to be Jesus-centered all the time through the power of Your indwelling Holy Spirit.

The Sermon on the Mount – Beatitudes

The Sermon on the Mount includes Matthew 5-7 – The sermon is telling Disciples ^[A]how to live, not telling lost people how to be saved.

The Beatitudes: All begin with “blessed” which means honored or happy.

Matthew 5:2-12…²Then He [Jesus] began to teach them, saying,

³“Blessed are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].

⁴“Blessed are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted.

⁵“Blessed are the gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth.

⁶“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be satisfied.

⁷“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

⁸“Blessed are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.

⁹“Blessed are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God.

¹⁰“Blessed are those who are persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].

¹¹“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me. ¹²Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great[absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. [modified from Amplified Bible – AMP]

A-Nine precepts that tell Disciples ^[A]how to live our daily lives to the glory of God.

H-O God we can only live this way if we give the indwelling Holy Spirit complete control of our lives.

Henry Luke – To receive my daily blog posts scroll to “Follow” and add your email.

Disclaimer: My Personal Journey by Henry Luke has no control over any advertising that may appear on this blog post and receives no payment for it. Ads & their links come from Word Press.

Notes: A– [A1- For how to have peace with God and become a Disciple^[Y]click here, A2- for how to have the peace of God and grow as a Disciple click here, A3 for how to teach Disciples to be Disciple-makers click here]; X- 4 steps in The H.E.A.R method of Bible study and worship; Y- “Disciples” or “Christians”?

The temptation of Jesus!

Jesus’ temptations follow three patterns that are common to all people, including Eve [Source]. (Matthew 4:1-11 ^[Z])

The first temptation concerns the lust of the flesh. Jesus is hungry (Matthew 4:2-4 ^[Z]) “³During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” Jesus replies with Scripture, ⁴But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Quote from Deuteronomy 8:3.

The second temptation concerns the pride of life (Matthew 4:5–7 ^[Z]), and the devil uses a verse of Scripture; “⁵Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, ⁶and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” (Psalm 91:11–12) ⁷Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” Quoting from (Deuteronomy 6:16), it is wrong for Him to abuse His own powers.

The third temptation concerns the lust of the eyes (Matthew 4:8-10 ^[Z]), ⁸Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹“I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me Jesus replies,¹⁰“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’ (Matthew 4:8–10) Quote from (Deuteronomy 6:13b).

A-We learn that we are tempted just as Jesus was tempted. Hebrews 4:15-16 says that Jesus is our High Priest and intercessor; He faced our same temptations, yet without sin. He understands our weaknesses but He provides hope through the indwelling Holy Spirit and the Bible.

R-Jesus answered the temptations with scripture setting an example for us.

The remainder of Matthew 4 tells about the beginning of the ministry of Jesus, See footnote Z.

The Temptation of Jesus

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. ²For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.

³During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

⁴But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,

‘People do not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

⁵Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, ⁶and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,

‘He will order his angels to protect you.
And they will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”

⁷Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”

⁸Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹“I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

¹⁰“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,

‘You must worship the Lord your God
and serve only him.’”

¹¹Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

The Ministry of Jesus Begins

¹²When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. ¹³He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. ¹⁴This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:

¹⁵“In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali,
    beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River,
    in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,
¹⁶the people who sat in darkness
    have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
    a light has shined.”

¹⁷From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

The First Disciples

¹⁸One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. ¹⁹Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” ²⁰And they left their nets at once and followed him.

²¹A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. ²²They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.

Crowds Follow Jesus

²³Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. ²⁴News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. ²⁵Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River.

The baptism of Jesus

H-^[X]Matthew 3:1-17 ^[Z]… About 28 years have passed since Matthew 2. Matthew 3 is about John the Baptist who was foretold in the Old Testament in Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 4:5. In the first part [vv.1-12] John prepared the way for the coming of Jesus. He baptized those who repented of [turned from] their sins, but John spoke harshly of the religious leaders. They said the right words but their actions and hearts did not match their words.

The second part [vv.13-17] is about the baptism of Jesus. My best verses of the chapter are “¹⁶After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. ¹⁷And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.””

The Spirit of God descended on Him and God said “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” This is another affirmation that Jesus is the Son of God. More will follow in the New Testament. We can be sure that Jesus, the eternal Son of God, is the Savior of those who believe in Him by faith. ^[A]

A-I am thankful every day for the sacrifice of Jesus for my sins.

R-O God help my words and actions reveal Your glory to those I come into contact with.

¹His message was, ²“Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” ³The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said,

“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
Clear the road for him!’”

⁴John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁵People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John. ⁶And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.

⁷But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? ⁸Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. ⁹Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. ¹⁰Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

¹¹“I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. ¹²He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”

The Baptism of Jesus

¹³Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. ¹⁴But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”

¹⁵But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.

¹⁶After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. ¹⁷And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

Worship, Wickedness, Protection

H & E- ^[X]Visitors from the East to worship Jesus – God revealed Himself to the wise men through the star. For maybe 1.5 years they followed the star first to King Herod and then to Bethlehem where they worshipped Jesus – Matthew 2:1-12 ^[Z]…⁹After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! ¹¹They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

“Many commentators say it is likely that gold would represent Jesus’ royalty. Frankincense would symbolize His divinity and priesthood. Myrrh would foreshadow His death and resurrection. All three gifts were costly. These could have helped Joseph and Mary to fund their emergency trip to Egypt to flee from Herod [Matthew 2:13].”

The wickedness of Herod and protection of God – Herod was so wicked that he ordered all the boys two years and younger to be killed. But God had ordered Jesus to take Jesus to Egypt. Matthew 2:13-18… ¹³After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” ¹⁴That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, ¹⁵and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the

The return to Nazareth – when Herod was dead the Lord directed Joseph to return to Israel. [It is rare today when God speaks to us in dreams because the believer ^[A]in Jesus has the indwelling Holy Spirit and the Bible to reveal His will to us]. Matthew 2:19-23…²³So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

Note the word fulfilled is used in vvv.15,17, 23 to reference prophecies from the Old Testament.

A-The entire Bible is the inspired Word of God helpful for us to obey like Joseph did without question [Matthew 1:24-25, 2:13-14,20-21]. [2 Timothy 3:16-17]

H– O God help me obey Your commands, not for salvation which is by faith, but to grow in the image of Jesus. Dr. Lambert Matthew sermon series

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Disclaimer: My Personal Journey by Henry Luke has no control over any advertising that may appear on this blog post and receives no payment for it. Ads & their links come from Word Press.

Notes: A– [A1- For how to have peace with God and become a Disciple^[Y]click here, A2- for how to have the peace of God and grow as a Disciple click here, A3 for how to teach Disciples to be Disciple-makers click here]; X- 4 steps in The H.E.A.R method of Bible study and worship; Y- “Disciples” or “Christians”? Z- [New Living Translation – NLT] Matthew 2:1-23…¹Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, ²“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

³King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. ⁴He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

⁵“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:

⁶‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,
are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you
who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

⁷Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. ⁸Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”

⁹After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! ¹¹They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

¹²When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

The Escape to Egypt

¹³After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

¹⁴That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, ¹⁵and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”

¹⁶Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. ¹⁷Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

¹⁸“A cry was heard in Ramah—
    weeping and great mourning.
Rachel weeps for her children,
    refusing to be comforted,
    for they are dead.”

The Return to Nazareth

¹⁹When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. ²⁰“Get up!” the angel said. “Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.”

²¹So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother. ²²But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee. ²³So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

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