Matthew 2:1-12 Surprise! Foreigners (magi) come into the nativity story to affirm the kingship of Jesus for the nations by the gifts these Gentiles brought—gifts that shout, “King!” They followed the star, which had kingly connotations. The magi came across 2...
Matthew 1:18-25 From what should be a picture perfect courtship, there is trouble in paradise—Mary the engaged is pregnant. Joseph, the husband to be, is told in a dream by God that this is not a nightmare but the moving of God to be near people by the birth of His...
Matthew 1:1-17 Matthew writes that Jesus shot out of the finest heritage that any Jew could have. An offspring of Abraham, whose line was to be a blessing to the nations—and an offspring of David, whose line was to be king of Israel and the nations. And along the way,...
Isaiah 9:1-7 Isaiah, who prophesied hope, wrote of how God would bring His salvation to the world. It would be in an unexpected light—we know that light as Jesus. His light came in a way that was surprising, and equally surprising is for who this light of new life is...
