He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance…Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him” (2 Peter 3:9). The Apostle Peter wrote this about God’s timing: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Fortunately, for us, God knows what’s best for us. We learn from this that God’s time is definitely not our time. The promise of a son came after 700 years. The angels sang to the shepherds, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14). God’s promise became fulfilled! God is always true to His promises. Immanuel, God with us, became fulfilled being wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. The story of Christmas, the coming of a son who would bring peace and salvation to a darkened world due to sin, had finally arrived. However, he also described how God would one day restore the nation after God’s punishment and purification had been completed. Isaiah, the prophet, spoke God’s truth to the people of Israel for several decades, constantly warning of God’s coming judgment and calling upon them to repent. Isaiah spoke this prophecy over 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. “Therefore, the LORD himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). You can access this content - along with much more - in our free printable Through the Word journal for the book of Matthew. Matthew shows that Gentiles also can find salvation through Jesus the Messiah. They should feel secure in the knowledge of their citizenship in God’s kingdom. Matthew seeks to encourage Jewish Christians (and all future disciples) to stand strong despite opposition. Matthew writes his Gospel to demonstrate that Jesus is the Messiah, that he has the right to the throne of David as Israel’s true King, and that he is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham that his descendants would be a blessing to all the world (1:1 Gen. Matthew tells the story of Jesus of Nazareth, the long-expected Messiah who brought the kingdom of God to earth. Its members included Jewish and Gentile Christians. The original audience may have been the church in Antioch of Syria. Matthew (also called Levi), the former tax collector who became Jesus’ disciple, is the author. Matthew was probably written in the late 50s or early 60s A.D.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |