Matthew 4:1-17

Matthew 4:1-17 (New Living Translation)

1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. 3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But 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.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and 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.’” 7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” 8 Next 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.’” 11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 13 He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This 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, 16 the 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.” 17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

Devotional (by Marty Bennett):

Any time I have read the story of how Jesus, before he began spreading his message of love & grace for all who choose to follow the Lord, I am always struck first by the incredible discipline he demonstrated. He knew who he was and the power he had in him, but he realized that in order to truly be God’s son on earth he needed to be tested in human form. These 40 days of fasting in the desert were certainly a test (don’t we all just love a good test), but good grief, 40 days! I have a hard enough time once a month fasting (on liquids only) for one day. Jesus knew that in order to be the role model he needed to be to his “family” on earth, he needed to be able to resist the temptations not only of the Devil who tried to get Jesus to use his God-given powers to make things easier, but also the temptations of this world as well.

All of us have given in to temptations in our lives. I’ll be the first to put my hand up. Whether you’ve taken an extra helping of food (that you know you don’t need), a second glance at someone (with feelings you shouldn’t be having), one last drink (when you’ve clearly had too much), or talking badly about a coworker or friend (who’s done nothing to harm you or anyone else), we have all experienced temptation.
When we give in, we may experience a brief high or good feeling, but when our conscience and/or reality catches up with us, we come crashing back down.

What I believe is the core message here is that even Jesus was tempted, but through his example, we see that even after these 40 days of temptations, when all earthly power and glory could have been his if he had given in, Jesus remained true to who he was—the beloved child of God. And as a result of his surviving this test, verse 11 shows us the reward: The devil went away, and angel came to take care of him. Let us pray that we can pass our own tests in this world to enjoy peace in the next.

Prayer

Lord, we thank you for the perfect example of faith and trust you sent to this earth in your son, Jesus. Please give us the strength of character, the power of faith, and the love of you, Lord, so that we may resist those temptations we have in our daily walks toward you. We pray in Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

Matthew 3:1-17 (The Message)

While Jesus was living in the Galilean hills, John, called "the Baptizer," was preaching in the desert country of Judea. His message was simple and austere, like his desert surroundings: "Change your life. God's kingdom is here."
John and his message were authorized by Isaiah's prophecy:

Thunder in the desert!
Prepare for God's arrival!
Make the road smooth and straight!
John dressed in a camel-hair habit tied at the waist by a leather strap. He lived on a diet of locusts and wild field honey. People poured out of Jerusalem, Judea, and the Jordanian countryside to hear and see him in action. There at the Jordan River those who came to confess their sins were baptized into a changed life.
When John realized that a lot of Pharisees and Sadducees were showing up for a baptismal experience because it was becoming the popular thing to do, he exploded: "Brood of snakes! What do you think you're doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snake skins is going to make any difference? It's your life that must change, not your skin! And don't think you can pull rank by claiming Abraham as father. Being a descendant of Abraham is neither here nor there. Descendants of Abraham are a dime a dozen. What counts is your life. Is it green and blossoming? Because if it's deadwood, it goes on the fire.
"I'm baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. The real action comes next: The main character in this drama—compared to him I'm a mere stagehand—will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He's going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He'll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he'll put out with the trash to be burned."
Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordan River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize him. John objected, "I'm the one who needs to be baptized, not you!"
But Jesus insisted. "Do it. God's work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism." So John did it.
The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God's Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: "This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life."

Devotional - Inside Out (by Emily Gray)

As we can see here, John cuts to the chase. And it’s for a good reason: his job was to prepare people for Jesus. He announced Jesus’ arrival, helped people get in the right mindset, and softened their hearts to hear Jesus’ message. Sure, he may have dressed peculiarly and eaten a unique diet, but I think he was so focused on his purpose in life everything else was minimal in comparison.
When John sees the religious leaders of his day coming down to observe, speculate, and “make an appearance,” he calls them out directly. He wants them to realize that following Christ isn’t about observing, or keeping up appearances. He sums it up when he says, “It's your life that must change, not your skin!” Its not outward appearances, our social connections or status, or our credentials that make the difference, it’s the way we live our lives. I don’t know about you, but sometimes it’s just easier for me to put on a happy face, say the right things, and “keep up appearances.” But as John reminds us, Jesus comes to change our lives from the inside out. This process rests on who Jesus is and His ability, not our capacity to perform or put on a show. Trusting Jesus to change us, to “make a clean sweep of our lives” as John puts it, can be a freeing thing. Instead of trying so hard, getting discouraged, and feeling guilty, we can simply come to Jesus with our messy lives and say, “Ok. Help me clean this up. Help me sort through what’s true, and what’s trash.” And when we trust Jesus, transformation will happen, from the inside out.

Prayer: Jesus, help me to change from the inside out. Show me when I’m putting up a front, forgive me, and help me to trust you. Help me to trust Your ability to change my life, instead of relying on myself. Thank You for being patient with me as we work on this change together. Amen.

Matthew 2:13-23

Matthew 2:13-23 (NIV)

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."¹⁴So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, ¹⁵where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."^{]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em;">}

¹⁶When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. ¹⁷Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
¹⁸"A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more."

The Return to Nazareth

¹⁹After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt ²⁰and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead."

²¹So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. ²²But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, ²³and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene."

Obedience Pays Off

This passage makes me think a lot about obedience. The obedience that Joseph had to listen to the Spirit of the Lord and keep his family away from king Herod. When the angel appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him to do something, Joseph goes and does it. Now, I hope that one day I may have as much obedience to the Lord's Spirit as that. Knowing when God is asking me to do something and then having the obedience to do it. Now, what also strikes me in this passage is the way that the obedience pays off for Joseph and his family. I mean, they listen, and God delivers. Herod is unable to find Jesus and the family survives. Just think what could've happened if Joseph just said 'Well, thanks for your concern God, but we can take care of ourselves.' I feel like I too often try to take matters into my own hands and am not being obedient in listening to God and giving Him control. This passage is a good reminder for me though that God has a handle on things and that He knows what's best in all situations. We just need to trust in Him and be obedient.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to be obedient to You. I give You control of the things that I am holding on to right now and trying to handle on my own. Lord, I want to listen to Your will for my life and not my own. I trust in You Lor

Matthew 1:18 - 2:12

Matthew 1:18-2:12 (Today's New International Version)

Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about : His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 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. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us").

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

The Magi Visit the Messiah (Chapter 2)
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."

3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:

6 " 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.' "

7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Devotional (by Jana Goebel)
Focus on Matthew 1:25

This passage is so familiar to me that I often speed through it and miss one of the most significant comforts in my Christian life. In chapter 1 verse 25, we are told that Mary’s son will be named Immanuel, which means “God with us.” This doesn’t just mean God with Mary and Joseph, or God with the people of that time period. It is an eternal name, an eternal savior, given for all people of all times. This name is actually predicted or prophesied in Isaiah 7:14. The birth of Christ is laid out to the people of God clearly – including his name – as a sign to build their faith and help them see that God would rescue them from their enemies.

Today, I often find myself feeling defeated or alone. Sometimes I face challenges that seem insurmountable. It is easy for me to put on blinders and only see the negatives sides of these situations. When I do that I feel hopeless. Then I remember a passage in Joshua 1:9. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” What comfort that brings. Add to this the passage we have just read today, and there is not doubt in my mind that I am never truly alone. God has given me Immanuel and in that I find my joy.

Prayer:
Father, thank you for giving us Immanuel. The promise that you are with us wherever we go. Help me to recall this promise in those moments of darkness when I feel alone or discouraged. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Matthew 1:1-17 (New International Version)

A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ 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.
David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife,
Solomon the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asa,
Asa the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram,
Jehoram the father of Uzziah,
Uzziah the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amon,
Amon the father of Josiah,
and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
After the exile to Babylon:
Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
Zerubbabel the father of Abiud,
Abiud the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
Azor the father of Zadok,
Zadok the father of Akim,
Akim the father of Eliud,
Eliud the father of Eleazar,
Eleazar the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,
and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

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 Christ.

Devotional (by Isaac Pellerin)

If you're looking for some unique names, Matthew has provided you with a great list to start with. Why are these names important? In Jesus' day, a persons heritage was incredibly important. For the Jewish people there were all sorts of prophecies stating that the Messiah would be a descendant of Abraham and in the line of David. The interesting thing about Matthew's record here, is that he includes a few key women. Tamar seduced her father in law in order to have a child. Rahab was a prostitute who hid spies in the city of Jericho to help the Jews claim their land, so God honored her. Ruth was a gentile (non-Jewish), as was Uriah's wife (Bathsheba), who committed adultery with King David. Rarely did genealogies include women, and Matthew includes some of those who would have been most tainted to people in his day.

Matthew is telling this story this way to show that the line of Jesus had “outsiders” in it. That it was part of God's plan to bring salvation to everyone, not just the people who thought they deserved it.

Prayer

God thank you for accepting me when I feel like an “outsider”. Please help me to show others who my feel that they are on the outside, that they belong to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.