The Gospel according to St. Matthew
Chapter
1
1. An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
(Matthew chapter 1 verse 1)
On reflecting on this definition given to Jesus, I cannot fail to stop and wonder how others would remember. Maybe I would be remembered as Vince who had a blog on line, however the most important thing that I would like to be remembered for is for how much I tried to live according to the ways of God even though there were many times when I acted simply as a carnal human being instead of a man who loves God.
2. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3. and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, 4. and Aram the father of Aminadab, and Aminadab the father of Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5. and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6. and Jesse the father of King David. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, 7. and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, 8. and Asaph the father of Jehohaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah,
(Matthew chapter 1 verses 2 to 8)
On reflecting the family of Jesus or his descendants consisted of many different people, who carried out different roles. Some of them were God fearing people but others may have been of not that good a reputation, therefore if you do not feel that proud with a particular member of your family, be consoled that even the son of God did not originate from 100% a pure stock human breed.
9. and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
(Matthew chapter 1 verse 9)
On reflecting we can build up a genogram of our own family. It is similar to the family tree, that shows the members of our family and leaves spaces to mark what type of family or relationships there existed between each member during their daily interactions with one another. Whatever the type of relationship be it positive or negative or neutral God for some reason that we may not always understand the situation wanted, or permitted the situation to be as it is. Even if it was a stressful situation as in the case of my family, that led to the wedding becoming annulled God permitted that good would also result from such a chaotic state of disorder. God works in strange ways but 'He is always at Work!
10. And Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah,
(Matthew chapter 1 verse 10)
On going back throughout the biblical history of our salvation there were people from the chosen people of God who carried out major roles, people such as Abraham and Moses among others, moreover there were other people such as Pope John Paul, Mother Theresa and many others even secular who were chosen to carry minor roles such as the altar boy and the people who collect our waste. Everybody has a minor or major role to fulfil.
11. and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
(Matthew chapter 1 verse 11)
Even though people may become separated from each other as in the case of deportation or legal separation, they can still fulfil their God given call anywhere they happen to be. We are Christians everywhere we go. It is our identity deep beneath the skin not only on the lips.
12. And after the deportation to Babylon; Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel,
(Matthew chapter 1 verse 12)
Since the beginning of time God had already been preparing the way, for the coming of His son Jesus. God has been doing the same thing about You and me. He has been planning our line of descent even before we were born along with a plan for our salvation.
13. and Zerubbabel the father of Ablud, and Ablud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, 14. and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, 15. and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, 16. and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah
(Matthew chapter 1 verses 13 to 16)
The underlined message that was transmitted to Matthew's audience and even to us who are meditating on the word of God is that Jesus who is the Son of God had two natures that was in part human and in part Supernatural. On reflecting we also have a Supernatural father that is God and for those who still have a biological father also a father of human descent.
17. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babyolon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.
(Matthew chapter 1 verse 17)
On reflecting it took God 42 generations to send His Son Jesus to put in effect the plan for our salvation. Even though many years passed God still kept His word which contrasts widely to the many times the people of God and us gave our word of obedience to God's will and broke the covenant. God is always faithful to His covenant.
18. Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
(Matthew chapter 1 verse 18)
For those of us who studied literary criticism the birth of Jesus started with a bad omen that would eventually lead to a tragedy or even death. This is marked by the fact that even before He was actually born there was already a state of disorder. However as witnessed in the first chapter of the book of Genesis, from a state of utter disorder during the creation process, God created a state of renewed order leading to the process of creation itself as a whole.
19. Her husband Joseph being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.
(Matthew chapter 1 verse 19)
As in the case of many of us, in order to cover up our sins or maybe even that of others we resort to quick solutions such as abortions in order to cover up the negative act and avoid being exposed to public humiliation. None of us are spared from such circumstances even those of us who consider themselves as being righteous and just people, even though our intentions may be good what is wrong is still considered as being wrong and vice versa.
20. But just when he had resolved to do 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 as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
(Matthew chapter 1 verse 20)
Oh God our father who loves us more than we can ever imagine, thanks for intervening in our lives just at the right moment. Thanks for showing us the light from what we may have considered to be a situation of darkness and confusion. Thanks for empowering and encouraging us during our moments of weakness. You are the rock of my salvation.
I invite you to join me in this moment of praise and worship to God please click on the following link:
Song You are the rock of my salvation
21. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
(Matthew chapter 1 verse 21)
As declared by Matthew in this gospel the birth of Jesus was not haphazard but for a particular reason. His role was to be that of the Saviour who would save us from our sins and not to overthrow the Romans or government of the day. Your role was to be purely spiritual, however in order to walk in your ways oh God, we also need to make radical changes in our lifestyle therefore this new form of living also required a change in our values slants and beliefs.
22. All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23. "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us."
(Matthew chapter 1 verses 22 to 23)
God always keeps His promise as had been promised by God through His prophets He was to send His son for our salvation. God is not bound by the laws of time and space. God uses people who are just and pure in heart in order to speak to us. He does not make extraordinary events such as nuclear wars but uses simple means in order to reach glorious ends.
24. When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took her as his wife, 25. but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
(Matthew chapter 1 verse 24)
Oh how wonderful is the gift of obedience! May we all be like Joseph oh father. He manifested no opposition to Your will but immediately responded positively to Your holy will. Joseph sought to achieve a balance between the meeting the requirements of God, that is taking Mary as his wife, to the abstinence from having marital relations with his wife until Jesus was born. Thanks Joseph for not contaminating what Your Holy Spirit had done in the womb of Mary.
I would like to end this chapter with a prayer given to us by Mary Geveetha:
(Matthew chapter 1 verses 2 to 8)
On reflecting the family of Jesus or his descendants consisted of many different people, who carried out different roles. Some of them were God fearing people but others may have been of not that good a reputation, therefore if you do not feel that proud with a particular member of your family, be consoled that even the son of God did not originate from 100% a pure stock human breed.
9. and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
(Matthew chapter 1 verse 9)
On reflecting we can build up a genogram of our own family. It is similar to the family tree, that shows the members of our family and leaves spaces to mark what type of family or relationships there existed between each member during their daily interactions with one another. Whatever the type of relationship be it positive or negative or neutral God for some reason that we may not always understand the situation wanted, or permitted the situation to be as it is. Even if it was a stressful situation as in the case of my family, that led to the wedding becoming annulled God permitted that good would also result from such a chaotic state of disorder. God works in strange ways but 'He is always at Work!
10. And Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah,
(Matthew chapter 1 verse 10)
On going back throughout the biblical history of our salvation there were people from the chosen people of God who carried out major roles, people such as Abraham and Moses among others, moreover there were other people such as Pope John Paul, Mother Theresa and many others even secular who were chosen to carry minor roles such as the altar boy and the people who collect our waste. Everybody has a minor or major role to fulfil.
11. and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
(Matthew chapter 1 verse 11)
Even though people may become separated from each other as in the case of deportation or legal separation, they can still fulfil their God given call anywhere they happen to be. We are Christians everywhere we go. It is our identity deep beneath the skin not only on the lips.
12. And after the deportation to Babylon; Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel,
(Matthew chapter 1 verse 12)
Since the beginning of time God had already been preparing the way, for the coming of His son Jesus. God has been doing the same thing about You and me. He has been planning our line of descent even before we were born along with a plan for our salvation.
13. and Zerubbabel the father of Ablud, and Ablud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, 14. and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, 15. and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, 16. and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah
(Matthew chapter 1 verses 13 to 16)
The underlined message that was transmitted to Matthew's audience and even to us who are meditating on the word of God is that Jesus who is the Son of God had two natures that was in part human and in part Supernatural. On reflecting we also have a Supernatural father that is God and for those who still have a biological father also a father of human descent.
17. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babyolon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.
(Matthew chapter 1 verse 17)
On reflecting it took God 42 generations to send His Son Jesus to put in effect the plan for our salvation. Even though many years passed God still kept His word which contrasts widely to the many times the people of God and us gave our word of obedience to God's will and broke the covenant. God is always faithful to His covenant.
18. Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
(Matthew chapter 1 verse 18)
For those of us who studied literary criticism the birth of Jesus started with a bad omen that would eventually lead to a tragedy or even death. This is marked by the fact that even before He was actually born there was already a state of disorder. However as witnessed in the first chapter of the book of Genesis, from a state of utter disorder during the creation process, God created a state of renewed order leading to the process of creation itself as a whole.
19. Her husband Joseph being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.
(Matthew chapter 1 verse 19)
As in the case of many of us, in order to cover up our sins or maybe even that of others we resort to quick solutions such as abortions in order to cover up the negative act and avoid being exposed to public humiliation. None of us are spared from such circumstances even those of us who consider themselves as being righteous and just people, even though our intentions may be good what is wrong is still considered as being wrong and vice versa.
20. But just when he had resolved to do 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 as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
(Matthew chapter 1 verse 20)
Oh God our father who loves us more than we can ever imagine, thanks for intervening in our lives just at the right moment. Thanks for showing us the light from what we may have considered to be a situation of darkness and confusion. Thanks for empowering and encouraging us during our moments of weakness. You are the rock of my salvation.
I invite you to join me in this moment of praise and worship to God please click on the following link:
Song You are the rock of my salvation
21. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
(Matthew chapter 1 verse 21)
As declared by Matthew in this gospel the birth of Jesus was not haphazard but for a particular reason. His role was to be that of the Saviour who would save us from our sins and not to overthrow the Romans or government of the day. Your role was to be purely spiritual, however in order to walk in your ways oh God, we also need to make radical changes in our lifestyle therefore this new form of living also required a change in our values slants and beliefs.
22. All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23. "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us."
(Matthew chapter 1 verses 22 to 23)
God always keeps His promise as had been promised by God through His prophets He was to send His son for our salvation. God is not bound by the laws of time and space. God uses people who are just and pure in heart in order to speak to us. He does not make extraordinary events such as nuclear wars but uses simple means in order to reach glorious ends.
24. When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took her as his wife, 25. but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
(Matthew chapter 1 verse 24)
Oh how wonderful is the gift of obedience! May we all be like Joseph oh father. He manifested no opposition to Your will but immediately responded positively to Your holy will. Joseph sought to achieve a balance between the meeting the requirements of God, that is taking Mary as his wife, to the abstinence from having marital relations with his wife until Jesus was born. Thanks Joseph for not contaminating what Your Holy Spirit had done in the womb of Mary.
I would like to end this chapter with a prayer given to us by Mary Geveetha:
Almighty Father;
Glory and Praise be unto You Lord God for some of the great men that you created in the history of mankind and who therefore existed from Your divine family tree. We thank You greatly for Jesus our Lord and Saviour, Your beloved Son who was conceived according to Your promise for mankind through the descendants of Abraham and David. Glory Glory Glory Lord for Your Power reigns so mighty in all existence.
Glory and Praise be unto You Lord God for some of the great men that you created in the history of mankind and who therefore existed from Your divine family tree. We thank You greatly for Jesus our Lord and Saviour, Your beloved Son who was conceived according to Your promise for mankind through the descendants of Abraham and David. Glory Glory Glory Lord for Your Power reigns so mighty in all existence.
We thank You greatly for the promise of a Messiah, who came to redeem us from our wretchedness and save the human race from sin and destruction. The genealogy of Lord Jesus is so great and so meaningful, that He was born in a pure divine state. He came from Your throne and was born into the womb of a pure Virgin Mary. Your angels appeared in manifestation of Your word and the power of Your Holy Spirit conceived Him in the womb of the simple maiden. You also chose a righteous man who listened to Your commands and concealed the holy birth.
ready
ready
We thank You for creating mankind and us your people who still experience, Your glory and reigns with us as Lord and God Jesus who as a baby was to be named Emmanuel, which means “God is with us”. You became the Son of Man so that we could become the Sons of God. You oh God was born supernatural but was so humble to live in poverty and in obscurity. You had no wealth or influence but He was Glorified and Dignified and startled the rulers of this world by Your birth. We thank You Father for fulfilling this great promise, which You fulfilled on earth by the Great Mystery of your conception and birth which brought Grace and redemption to mankind and also our salvation from our sins.
We thank You God for Lord Jesus. AMEN
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