The Family Tree
(Matthew 1:1-17)
The First
Christmas (Matthew 1:23)
Knowledge A+
Wisdom Zero (Matthew 2:1-6)
The Unlovables
(Matthew 2:7-8)
Genuine Love
(Matthew 2:13-15)
The
Problem of Evil Matthew 2:19-20
Matthew 1:1-17
The
first book of the New Testament opens with the genealogy of Joseph, the
step-father of Jesus. Most people fall
asleep trying to read through stuff like this.
It’s a lot easier reading the genealogy of Jesus Christ’s birth
Father. It’s a short list – just one -
God.
But
I find this longer list fascinating because of one reason – mercy.
In
fact, there is no other piece of literature in history that demonstrates more
dramatically the patience and mercy of God than these few verses.
This
list of Joseph’s ancestors would be unthinkable except for one thing – it’s
true. We find here one of the most
concentrated collections of fallen humanity anywhere. There are idolaters, adulterers, prostitutes,
child-sacrificers, temple-desecraters, fornicators, murderers, and I could go
on. (Reminds me of the evening news.)
Ok
- confession time - I am actually grateful for this list – this family
tree.
For
one thing, it is yet another confirmation of the validity of the biblical
record. I mean, nobody, especially a 1st
Century Jewish man, would associate a genealogy like this with the step-father
of his Messiah, unless it was true.
But
the main reason I am grateful is - not only is fallen humanity revealed here,
the grace of God is revealed - like nowhere else. Think about it, this list is a huge wall
poster for divine patience. When I look
back on my life, I realize that it is just another addition to “the list.” But thankfully Jesus did not come to save
saints but sinners.
He
loves you so much; He will accept you just as you are;
But He loves you too
much to leave you that way!
Ó 2005 C. E. Briggs
THE FIRST
CHRISTMAS
Matthew 1:23
"Behold, the virgin shall be with
child, and bear a Son,
and they shall call His name
Immanuel,"
which is translated,
"God with us."
This verse reminds me of
the film, Back to the Future.
Matthew sort of puts us
into a time machine, sets the dial for 7 centuries back, and then pushes the
button! Instantly, we are in the
presence of an amazing and famous prophet of God – the Prophet, Isaiah.
And what do we hear?
We hear of a Child
conceived of the Holy Spirit.
We hear of God stepping
out of eternity into time and space -
To save His people from
their sins.
This is why Christianity
is so unique.
Man could not
reach God. So God reached man!
Seven Hundreds years
before it took place,
Isaiah said people will
look at the Child and say,
“Jesus is God
with us!”
They did in the first
century – they still do today.
That is the real story
of The First Christmas.
Not red wagons and BB guns
or chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
It starts with:
The Holy Spirit, a
Carpenter, and a Virgin Maiden -
In a small town, where
one day:
God spoke - a human egg
responded - The Seed was formed.
Shepherds worshipped -
Angels sang.
The Hosts of Heaven
leaned forward in wonder!
And the Lord of Glory
drew His first breath in a stable.
God became flesh. And nothing is the same.
Ó 2005 C. E. Briggs
Matthew 2:1-6
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 have seen His star in the East and have come to
worship Him.”
When Herod the
king heard this, he was troubled, and all
So they
said to him, "In
'But
you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of
Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people
Israel.'"
The ancient hamlet of Bethlehem - what we might call
a bedroom community to Jerusalem just a few miles to the south - is the
birthplace of Jesus Christ, the Son of God – exactly as the prophet Micah told
the people of Israel seven centuries earlier.
These men that King Herod consulted were well versed
in the prophecy of where Jesus was to be born.
And no wonder, they were the community leaders of God’s people and the
guidance counselors in God’s Word.
But knowledge without
wisdom is a dangerous thing. These
religious leaders knew the implications of telling Herod where the Savior was
to be born, and they told him anyway – revealing the darkness in their hearts.
They had excellent Scriptural knowledge, but they
had zero wisdom.
It is always a good thing to ask God:
1)
To search our hearts,
2)
To check our motives,
3)
To take away anything that displeases Him, and
4)
To lead us in the path of godly behavior.
Would you do that?
Would you ask the Lord to search you, and lead you, and keep you, and
make you all that He would want you to be?
Ó 2005 C. E. Briggs
Matthew 2:7-8
Then
Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time
the star appeared.
And he
sent them to
Of course we know that Herod had no intentions of
coming to worship the Toddler in
I run into so many different types of people
everyday, and occasionally
I encounter people like Herod. Honestly, at times they just challenge my patience
to the very limit. Don’t get me wrong -
I want to reflect Christ – I really do, but just being around them is like
sandpaper on my soul!
So what do I do?
What do you do!?
1)
How can I possibly show goodness to that
family member?
2)
How can you ever show patience to that
co-worker?
3)
How can I even imagine showing kindness to
that store clerk?
4)
How can you return gentleness for rudeness to
that waiter?
The questions of “how” could go on and on. What we need is an answer to the question,
“How can I show love to
the Unlovable?”
Here’s a few ideas that have helped me.
1)
Pray for yourself – your feelings towards the
person.
2)
Pray for the person – immediately, and if
needed, everyday.
3)
Be a blessing – relieve the person in some
way.
There
are many other ideas we could list that show the love of Christ to those we
find unlovable. Please, think about what
you might add to the list.
Remember, from God’s point of view, you and I are the Unlovables, but He loved us anyway - so much, He
gave His only Son to save us.
Ó 2006 C. E. Briggs
"Arise, take the young Child and His mother,
flee to
When he [Joseph] arose, he took the young Child and
His mother by night and departed for
This
man called Joseph continues to demonstrate that he is an amazing man of
God.
Any
man who has ever been engaged to be married would surely be fascinated to hear
of the faith of Joseph. Joseph trusted
God as his driving and guiding force.
But it is not just his faith that is worth imitating – it is his love.
Joseph
dearly loved this woman, Mary, the mother of Jesus. His heart was not the kind that looks for a
woman that will meet his needs. Joseph clearly loved Mary and sincerely
desired to serve her needs. Jut look at
it! All of his actions speak of special
attention to caring for this woman and her Child.
So
it was not just his Godly faith that
got him through what must have been the biggest trial of his life. It was also his Godly love.
Ó 2006 C. E. Briggs
Mt 2:19-20 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord
appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Arise, take the young
Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the
young Child's life are dead."
In our last devotional study, we considered the
love of Joseph for his wife and his Son.
They were escaping from the evil Herod who issued an order to slaughter
the male infants of
How can an all-good, all-powerful God allow evil to exist?
The answer has always been one word – love. I know – sounds insane. But consider: We all know that forced love is
not possible – it is a contradiction.
Genuine responsive love requires genuine choice. And frankly, man chose badly. This is the kicker! Because, the love of God never compromises the justice of God. Love without justice is not love at all. It is a hideous deception.
Therefore, the consolation for us regarding the
evil King Herod (and all other tragedy) is actually justice, and justice delayed
is not justice denied.
But that presents another problem. Not only does Herod deserve justice; so do I;
so do you. I need another
consolation. I need mercy!
I think we all sense it at times. This life is a rehearsal for eternal
destiny. Jesus told us to repent and
believe the Good News that Christ died for our sins and rose again. He has satisfied the justice of God! That is mercy!
People naturally think from an earthly perspective
– not from God’s. The world sees love
from a twisted personal viewpoint. But
consider this:
v
If you were a being of pure (divine) love and
perfect justice, and you wished to share that love in a reciprocating manner,
would you create a being with genuine choice?
(Hint: Anything else is just a robot – fake – like nothing at all.)
v
Of course, for choice to be genuine, the
potentiality of evil must exist.
v
And since you would be all-knowing, what do you do,
knowing the creature will choose sin and self-destruction?
v
Being an all-just person, you would judge the
sin.
v
But being an all-loving person, you would provide a
redemptive plan for those who desire rescue (wouldn’t you). Again, choice is never violated.
Can justice and mercy prevail any other way?
I deserve justice.
Herod deserves justice. We all deserve
justice.
But I
choose mercy, by surrendering to the Savior, Jesus, Who received my punishment
on the Cross. Have you chosen mercy?
Ó 2006 C. E. Briggs