Day 30, Read Matthew 2:13-23; Luke 2:39

Matthew 2 contains details of Jesus’ early life that Luke was not led by the Spirit to include.  There is the story of the wise men and the massacre of infants in Bethlehem.  In addition, Luke simply indicates the family settled in Nazareth; but Matthew tells of the escape to Egypt before returning to Nazareth.  Matthew also acknowledges fulfillment of three prophecies.  Let us consider each.

The flight to Egypt is said to fulfill Hosea 11:1 which says, “When Israel was a child, I loved him.  And out of Egypt I called My son.”  If Hosea refers to the Nation (Israel) how can it be applied to the Messiah?  The answer is found in the connection between Israel and Messiah seen often in the Old Testament.  Messiah is the obedient Servant in Isaiah that Israel had not been.  Israel was seen as God’s son, but Israel was not the faithful son, while the Messiah did fill that role.  Thus there is seen in Matthew’s reference to the Messiah’s identification with the Nation.  As Israel went to Egypt for protection in the time of the famine, so the Messiah went to Egypt for protection for a short period.

The murder of the innocents is a fulfillment of Jer. 31:15.  The reference to Rachel in Jeremiah seems to refer to Joseph and Benjamin, Rachel’s two sons who were part of the population of both the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel after Solomon’s time.  In other words it acknowledged the suffering of all God’s people in Jeremiah’s time.  But the thought that it looked to a future suffering is not unusual.  The connection of Rachel to Bethlehem (remember, she died there; Gen. 35:16-20) makes what happened in Matthew 2 very apropos.  The birth of the Messiah was not the end of Israel’s suffering.

In Matt. 2:23 the return to Nazareth is said to fulfill words spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”  This is somewhat enigmatic as there is not such a phrase in the Old Testament.  Note first, it is not the same as Nazirite (Num. 6).  Second, Messiah’s ministry was connected to Galilee (Isa. 9:1).  Galilean and Nazarene are synonymous as places denigrated by the Jews (Jn. 1:46; Ac. 2:7).  And both are used of Christ (Matt. 26:69,71).   Thus this could refer to the way the Messiah would be shamefully treated.  Another explanation comes from the meaning of the name “Nazarene”.  It may come from the Hebrew word for “branch” (neser).  In that case Matthew would be referring to passages such as Isa. 11:1 and many others that call Messiah “the Branch.”  

Acknowledging the difficulty in understanding certain passages does no damage to the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ.  There are always Scriptures that need further study.  God’s word through Matthew is right on, however, in that Jesus of Nazareth is the fulfillment of God’s purpose and plan that was revealed through the prophets.  Over 65 times Matthew refers to Old Testament passages in telling the story of Christ.  Let us rejoice that God is faithfully doing all He promised, and will continue until all bow the knee to His Son (Phil. 2:9-11).

Day 29, Read Matthew 2:1-12

There’s a lot of myth around this story.  They are not likely kings but magi, wise men.  They are not likely from Arabia but Persia or Babylon.  We don’t know their names (Melchior, Caspar and Balthasar), nor how many there were, only that they brought three gifts.  We don’t know Jesus’ age at the time of their visit.  Herod massacred the infants under two years old but two years was the time when the magi had first seen the star, not necessarily the time since He was born.  Mary and Josephs still being in Bethlehem suggests a shorter time.

We would consider these men scientists.  They studied the stars, and like scientists of the day, believed that certain arrangements in the heavens carried certain meanings.  Some think that God used the arrangements to speak to them in a language they understood.  Scripture is not specific, only that there was an exceptional display in the heavens that caused these men to come to Palestine.

The cruelty of Herod the Great in this story (often called the murder of the innocents) fits what we know of the man.  It is recorded that when he had two of his sons put to death he also killed 300 soldiers who stood up for them.  Led by the Spirit, Matthew notes a connection with the Old Testament reference to Rachel weeping (v18).  Of course Rachel, a wife of Jacob, died at Bethlehem.

Further, we know that this is the “epiphany” (first recorded appearance) of Christ to the Gentiles.  Even in Old Testament times, when God’s dealings were through one nation Israel, He still had a love for those who were not of Israel.  In this account are brought together several aspects of the gospel story.  We have seen that godly people such as Zacharias, Simeon and Anna were among those who had “Messianic expectations.”  But in this story we see that the Jewish scholars, who advised Herod, also had a clear understanding of Messianic prophecy.  When Herod asked the question, the answer was readily given, that Messiah must be born in Bethlehem (from Micah 5:2).

Many have noted the significance of the gifts that were brought.  The gold was fit for a King; the frankincense a reminder of the Intercessor; and the myrrh, a special spice used in burial, a reminder that Jesus was born to die.  Whether these astral scholars understood it all, their worship was powerful.

The wise men, for whatever truth they saw in the star, were drawn to the Messiah.  They worshipped Him.  And then they trusted God’s guidance as to their return trip home.  The religious leaders of the day had the benefit of the inspired Word, yet they rejected the Messiah.  Perhaps this story tells us that God will meet us where we are, and if we are willing He will bring us to His Salvation.  We see that God welcomes the scholar who comes to and bows to Christ.  Perhaps it issues a warning, as well, that if we know the word of God we must be willing to hear and fear.  Bring your gifts, abilities, strengths and intelligence to Christ.  Present them to Him in worship!

Day 28, Read Luke 2:25-35

Simeon, filled with the Holy Spirit, just happened to enter the area of the court of the women at the right time.  What resulted, also by the Spirit, was the fourth hymn of praise associated with the birth of Christ (Mary’s, Zachariah’s and the angel to the shepherds).  Simeon’s song and words to Mary are highly exalting of the Lord Jesus.  Consider what we learn about Christ.

·        Jesus is the “Consolation of Israel.”  When God announced “comfort” to His people (Isa. 40:1-2) it was followed by the prediction of the ministry of the Forerunner (John the Baptist, Isa. 40:3-5). 

·        Jesus is the “Lord’s Christ.”  As we have noted in previous studies, God was the One who appointed Christ to be King and Priest (Psalm 2:2,6; 110:1).   Jesus is both “Christ the Lord” (Lk. 2:11) and “the Lord’s Christ.”

·        Jesus is “Your salvation.”  He is God’s salvation, God’s provision for men.  His name indicates that as well: Jesus, the Lord saves.  The oft repeated prayer of God’s people, “grant us Your salvation’ (Ps. 85:7), was answered in Jesus.

·        Jesus is the glorious Light.  This reminds us again of God’s glory being bound up in His Son.  But in this case the emphasis is on the way Jesus is the Light of the world.  As God had said, “I will be the glory in her midst” (Zech. 2:5).

·        Jesus is Revealer of Hearts.  Here is an amazing thought that opens up the narrative of the Gospels to greater use as we read them.  Simeon’s words to Mary are difficult when he says by the Spirit that “a sword will pierce through your own soul also.”  But this is something we must not forget about Christ.  The previous four thoughts about Christ tend to emphasize the blessing of salvation that comes through Him.  However, men will not be saved if they do not understand their need of salvation.  Thus Jesus, in His ministry and teaching, will reveal the hearts of men.  Their sin will be obvious.  But not all will respond to this revelation in faith.  All who reject the truth will fall, but those who repent and believe will rise.  Another way of saying this is that Jesus is “the stone of stumbling” and the “chief cornerstone” (1 Peter 2:6-8).  As you read the gospels pay attention in every situation to the way Jesus’ interaction with people reveals what is really in their hearts.  And then pay even closer attention to what is revealed in your own heart!

Again we see that the Savior God has sent is totally satisfying.  He meets every expectation of godly people.  He will not disappoint you.  The yearning in your heart for peace and joy will only be satisfied in Christ.  He will reveal how you are the reason you lack satisfaction in life.  And if you accept the truth about your own heart, He is the Savior who can bring healing to your heart.