[:en]SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 1
INTRODUCTION:
Matthew, one of the twelve disciples was believed to be the author of this book. It was probably written before the Romans destroyed the temple of Jerusalem in AD 70. He wrote it primarily for the Jews and presented Jesus as the Messiah who fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies. Most of Christ’s teachings – The Sermon on the Mount, Instructions to the disciples, Teachings through Miracles, The meaning of discipleship, Teachings about the end times and the coming of the Kingdom of heaven are found in this book.
Bible Verses:
“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[f] because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21)
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” which means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23)
THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS (vs. 1-17)
THERE ARE 14 GENERATIONS FROM ABRAHAM TO DAVID
- Abraham
- Isaac
- Jacob
- Judah
- Perez
- Hezron
- Ram
- Amminadab
- Nahshon
- Salmon
- Boaz
- Obed
- Jesse
- David
THERE ARE 14 GENERATIONS FROM DAVID TO THE EXILE TO BABYLON
- David
- Solomon
- Rehoboam
- Abijah
- Asa
- Jehoshaphat
- Jehoram
- Uzziah
- Jotham
- Ahaz
- Hezekiah
- Manasseh
- Amon
- Josiah
THERE ARE 14 GENERATIONS FROM EXILE TO CHRIST
- Jeconiah
- Shealtiel
- Zerubbabel
- Abiud
- Eliakim
- Azor
- Zadok
- Akim
- Eliud
- Eleazar
- Matthan
- Jacob
- Joseph
- Jesus
THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST (vs. 18-25)
Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but she was found to conceive by the Holy Spirit before they came together. Joseph was thinking to divorce her secretly, but an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit (v.. 20). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
REFLECTION:
Mary submitted herself to be conceived by the Holy Spirit and Joseph followed what the angel of the Lord had commanded him to take Mary home as his wife. How about you? Are you willing to submit yourself to God’s will and follow His command?
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