Readings for Lent: Matthew 1-4

Leading up to Easter, Christians worldwide choose to take a journey of reflection and repentance to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter. I confess I do not usually participate in Lent, it is usually more of a pledge I enjoy talking about, similar to a new year’s resolution. But, I was inspired yesterday (yes, yesterday!) to make my own journey of reflection and remembrance of my Christian faith for this Easter season. I will be reading and summarizing what I learn from my YouVersion mobile app., Bible Plan, 40-Day New Testament Challenge, the English Standard Version (ESV).

The season of Lent begins today, February 18, and ends on Easter Sunday, April 5^th this year. There are 7 Sundays leading up to Easter, which means 40 days of readings, and 7 Sundays for rest. To accomplish a summary of these daily readings, my posts may be rather lengthy…but, enjoy!

Matthew 1

The Genealogy of Jesus Christ – we see how important it is in the Old Testament and New Testament to trace the family lineage of the Son of God. In brief, there are 42 generations, as defined by Matthew, whereas Luke (later) gives the maternal line geneaology. I found these graphics to give a visual.

The geneaology of Jesus through Solomon (on the paternal side)

The Geneaology of Jesus through Nathan (on the maternal side)

And in verse 1:16, “and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.”

There are fourteen generations from Abraham to David the king, from David to the deportation of Jews from the ancient kingdom of Judah to Babylon, and 14 generations until the promise of a Messiah was fulfilled in Jesus. I found this table and history illustrated at this page. Click on the link to read more.

The Birth of Jesus Christ

Mary and Joseph were engaged, but Mary “was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit” (v. 1:18). Joseph was a just man and honorable. He was not the father of this child and resolved to divorce her quietly rather than put her to shame for her situation. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream saying,

Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

This happening fulfilled an Old Testament prophecy from Isaiah 7:14 (read it here).

Joseph woke from his sleep and did as the angel commanded him. He married Mary, but he did not have relations with her until the son was born, and he named him Jesus, “Immanuel, God with us.”

The Visit of the Wise Men

Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod. Wise men came from the east following a star and asking where they could find this born king of the Jews. King Herod was troubled and threatened by this and inquired about its meaning. The chief priests and scribes explained its prediction in the Old Testament (1 Chronicles 5:2) 

King Herod told them to find this child and report back to him so that he could also worship this king of the Jews. But the wise men were warned in a dream to not return to King Herod. After finding the child with Mary his mother, they fell down and worshiped him and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Then they departed to their home land another way to avoid King Herod.

 

gold is a precious metal worthy to give to a king on this earth

frankincense (incense) was a luxurious ingredient used in anointing oils or perfumes

myrrh (an embalming oil) reminds of mortality and eventual death

King Herod was furious and ordered the murder of all male children two years old or under in Bethlehem and that region. Joseph was warned in a dream to take Mary and the baby Jesus to Egypt; they stayed in Egypt until Herod died. Then they returned to Israel, but not to Judea where Herod’s son was reigning, instead they withdrew to Galilee, in the city Nazareth. This fulfilled an O.T. prophecy that the Messiah would be a Nazarene.

John the Baptist

John the Baptist was a man preaching in the wilderness of Judea. He wore clothing of camel’s hair and a leather belt. His food was locusts and wild honey. He warned everyone who would listen in the region of Judea to repent, confess sins, and be baptized in water. He explained that relying on their trust in Abraham’s faith was no longer enough; true repentance brings about a changed person who lives a life that demonstrates righteousness, or lives “as a tree that produces good fruit.” He said, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me [Jesus] is mightier than I…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire…but the chaff [trees that do not bear good fruit], he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

The Baptism of Jesus

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River to John the Baptist, to be baptized by him. John argued that it was he who should be baptized by Jesus, but Jesus answered, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

When Jesus was baptized in water, immediately he saw the [Holy] Spirit of God descending on him in the form of a dove, and a voice from Heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

The Temptation of Jesus

Jesus was then led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. For 40 days and nights, he fasted and was very hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” Jesus answered, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Then the devil took him to the pinnacle of the temple in the holy city and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On  their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone’” (4:6). Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test’” (4:7). Finally, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. He promised, “All these I will give to you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve’” (v. 10). Then the devil left him, and angels came to minister to Jesus.

Jesus Begins His Ministry

Jesus left Nazereth and traveled throughout the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali and lived in Capernaum by the sea (vv. 15-16). He began to preach and call his first disciples while walking by the sea of Galilee. He saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew, fishermen. He called to them and said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately, they left their nets and followed them. From there, he called two other brothers, James and John. They left the boat and their father, Zebedee, and followed Jesus.

                      

Jesus taught repentance throughout all of Galilee, teaching in synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God, healing every disease and affliction among the people. His fame spread and people came from all over Syria, bringing those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them! (Matthew 4:24). The crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

This was just the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. His parables and teachings can be found in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the New Testament. Continue your own journey online at www.biblegateway.com.