dar334

by Magrey R. deVega

Second Week of Advent, Matthew

Joseph and Herod, “The World As It Is”, Read Matthew 1:1 – 2:18

As soon as my eyes read “This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah” I remembered Dave telling us in the Disciple study that we should look at the list of names as an indication of the time frame from Abraham to Jesus. Generation after generation played a role in his genealogy, each an important piece. As my eyes scanned the names a few more jumped out this time. I hope as you traverse through the words you take time to look for nuggets you may have missed all the other times. Consider his genealogy and the many nations and occupations those people held.

When Joseph, being faithful to the law, found out Mary was pregnant he considered divorcing her quietly. My Logos app said “the law demanded that an adulteress receive the death penalty” and referred to Deuteronomy 22:21. It also said that “the Jewish community of this time often did not carry out the death penalty” but instead an adulteress would go through public disgrace. Thankfully an angel appeared to him in a dream and he assumed his role as husband and father. The angel told Joseph Mary would give birth to a son and they were to name him Immanuel which means “God with us”.

I chapter 2 we find the newborn baby was born in Bethlehem and Magi followed his star when it rose. According to the Logos Study note, “Magi (wise men) were probably from the Parthia Empire which spanned modern day Iran and Iraq. They were likely astrologers…”, which, IMO, would account for them noticing a new star. In Numbers 24:17 we were told:

“I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob …”

When King Herod heard the prophecy that a Ruler would come out of Bethlehem he devised a plan to kill him. Angels appear again and warn the Magi not to return to Herod and warn Joseph that Herod wanted to kill the baby so they escaped to Egypt until Herod died. It shouldn’t surprise us that several Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled in these verses.

Pastor deVega tells us on page 32 that the appearance of the Magi is only told in the Gospel of Matthew and it’s the only Gospel that records Jesus’ genealogy. Matthew doesn’t tell us Mary’s side of the story, only Joseph’s.

Joseph wasn’t the only parent to send his son to Egypt to escape death at the hands of a king, Moses’ mother did the same thing. (Exodus 1:15-2:10)

Many in the Old Testament waited for the coming of the Messiah just as many today wait for his second coming. Through Matthew, 25:40, 45, Jesus tells us how to be like him. On page 38 of the study, Pastor deVega tells us the following:

“If you are waiting for Jesus to come back some day, then stop waiting. You can find him him right here on earth, right now, at this very moment. All you have to do is look into the eyes of the marginalized and the oppressed. And when you see their faces, you are looking at the very face of Jesus himself.”

“Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.”

Reflection Questions:

1. What is your overall mood during Advent so far? Is it good cheer and excitement, worry over hardships and suffering, or something in between?
2. Matthew paints a realistic picture of the difficult world into which Jesus was born. Is there anything freeing about allowing yourself to do the same? What painful realities do you call to mind at this time of year?
3. Have you ever studied in detail your own family tree? What have you discovered about yourself as you have learned about your ancestors?