March 2021 Reflections

March 2021 Reflections

In April, we’ll study the temptations of Jesus from Matthew’s gospel. While I’ve taught this passage many times, the podcast gives me the ability to teach it without a time constraint for the first time! I will finally be able to really explain the Old Testament background, the parallels to the Exodus, and how Jesus fulfills God’s promises to the children of Israel.

08 Matthew 3:1-12 John the Baptist

08 Matthew 3:1-12 John the Baptist

John the Baptist was the herald who announced the coming of the King. His message had two parts: repent for the kingdom of God is at hand. The king is coming. It is time to turn back to God and follow his Messiah.

07 Matthew 2:19-23 A Nazarene

07 Matthew 2:19-23 A Nazarene

This quotation presents the hardest challenge because no passage in the Old Testament says the Messiah will be called a Nazarene. Instead Matthew is summarizing an idea taught in the prophets. We need both grammar and historical background to understand him.

06 Matthew 2:16-18 Rachel weeping

06 Matthew 2:16-18 Rachel weeping

In this third fulfillment passage, Matthew compares the murder of the young boys in Bethlehem to the Rachel weeping in her tomb for the captives about to be deported to Babylon. In both events, all hope seems lost.

05 Matthew 2:13-15 Out of Egypt

05 Matthew 2:13-15 Out of Egypt

Matthew tells us the life of Jesus “fulfills” something spoken by the prophet Hosea. Yet Hosea is not “predicting” anything; Hosea is looking backward to the Exodus. What is Matthew doing? He’s pointing out the theological connection between Israel as God’s son and the Messiah, God’s son.

What does YAHWEH mean?

What does YAHWEH mean?

When God reveals Himself to Moses at the burning bush), He identifies Himself as “Yahweh” or “Jehovah”, which is often translated “I am who I Am.” What does that name mean?

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