making the scriptures plain

Notes

A transition took place in the life of Jesus, the Son of God. For the love of man He relinquished His omnipresence and became a man child. The New Testament Gospels focus on the earthly life of Jesus Christ ‘the Son of man’, the One willingly anointed for sacrifice on our behalf. If we read the Bible chronologically, when we reach the New Testament the pieces of the puzzle begin to fit together. Missing pieces are put in place. A perfect picture begins to emerge – Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer. Indeed there is salvation through no other.

Matthew opens with a detailed account of the genealogy of Jesus. This lineage shows that Jesus was the Saviour promised to Adam and Eve, the promised seed of Abraham that would make Abraham the father of many nations. And establishing that He is a descendant of David fulfils the many pieces of scripture that promise David an eternal kingdom. What had been a mystery gradually unfolds itself, as a flower opens its petals one by one.

Mary was that mother of Israel who carried the Son of God. A single woman engaged to Joseph, she became pregnant. Joseph’s natural concerns about this were quieted when he was told in a dream that the Father of the child was the Holy Spirit. He should marry Mary without any misgivings and call the child Jesus. This he did and “knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son.” And so, incredibly, the virgin gave birth, as Isaiah had prophesied. It was a most wonderful privilege that the Lord had granted Mary and Joseph, as well as the greatest responsibility any woman and man has been given. What qualities God must have seen to choose them as His Son’s earthly parents.

It had been revealed to Micah that little Bethlehem would produce a King for Israel, a ruler whose origins were from old, from eternity. But Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth over 50 miles north of Bethlehem, several days journey away. According to God’s purposes, Caesar Augustus issued a decree around that time. A census would be taken of the entire Roman world. Everyone had to go to his home town to register for tax purposes. Joseph was of the lineage of David; his home town was Bethlehem. It is likely that they would not have wanted to travel, with Mary by then heavily pregnant. But there was no choice. The Emperor had spoken. The inexorable prophecy must be fulfilled. So they travelled to Bethlehem and Mary gave birth to Jesus there. Little Bethlehem delivered its King, the ruler from ancient times.

Based on the prophecy of Balaam the wise men followed a star to seek out the new born King of the Jews. Thinking the courts of King Herod would know of this birth, their enquiries paved the way for jealous Herod to slaughter all the Bethlehem children of two and under. Prior to this, the wise men found the child Jesus in Bethlehem, worshipped Him and gave Him kingly gifts.

To avoid the slaughter initiated by Herod, the little family escaped to Egypt. And the mothers of Bethlehem wept for their children. A sound of great mourning was heard, as spoken of by Jeremiah. After Herod’s death, God called His Son out of Egypt, as Hosea had prophesied hundreds of years before. The little family settled in Nazareth where Jesus grew up as a Nazarene (Separated One). Life settled into a quiet uneventful routine.

But what is that we hear? The voice of one crying in the wilderness. John the Baptist begins his God-appointed work at the God-appointed time, preparing the people for the Messiah as predicted by Haggai. John’s message – Repent for the Mighty One is coming. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He will harvest the earth and burn up the chaff!

And so Jesus leaves His life in Nazareth to begin His destined ministry. The world will never be the same again. He walks to the banks of the Jordan River where John is baptising the people. He insists on being baptized by John ‘to fulfil all righteousness’. And the Spirit of God descends like a dove, and settles on him. God the Father personally affirms Him as His beloved Son. Thus begins the work of Jesus as the world's Saviour.

Jesus endures a forty day fast and is tempted on three counts. Each time He overcomes Satan by quoting Scripture, the power of the Word of God. Then He goes to live in Capernaum, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the Gentiles, bringing honour and the light of truth to that region, as Isaiah had promised. It is here that He starts to preach repentance. Here He calls His first disciples, Simon Peter and Andrew, James and John. Simple fishermen then. Destined for greatness as mighty men of faith, courage and literature.

Jesus continues teaching in the Galilean synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sick and demon-possessed person that is brought to Him. Not surprisingly word quickly spreads and a huge crowd of people from all over start to follow Him around. They are rejoicing. The King has come. He’s pushing back the forces of evil, repairing the damage wrought by sin, bringing hope and salvation!

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ

Matt.1.1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Matt.1.2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
Matt.1.3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;

Matt.1.4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;

The geneology of Jesus Christ

Matt.1.5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
Matt 1.6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
Matt.1.7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;
Matt.1.8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;
Matt.1.9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;
Matt.1.10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;
Matt.1.11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:

Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary

Matt.1.12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
Matt.1.13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
Matt.1.14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;
Matt.1.15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
Matt.1.16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

Mary and Joseph

Matt.1.17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

Matt.1.18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Matt.1.19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

The angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream

Matt.1.20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Matt.1.21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Behold, a virgin shall be with child

Matt.1.22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

Matt.1.23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Matt.1.24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
Matt.1.25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

The wise men worship Jesus

Matt.2.1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Matt.2.2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Matt.2.4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
Matt.2.5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

Matt.2.6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Matt.2.7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

They saw the young child with Mary his mother

Matt.2.8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

Matt.2.9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
Matt.2.10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Matt.2.11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Matt.2.12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt

Matt.2.13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

Flight to Egypt

Matt.2.14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
Matt.2.15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

And slew all the children that were in Bethlehem

Matt.2.16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
Matt.2.17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

Slaughter of the children

Matt.2.18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
Matt.2.19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

Matt.2.20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.
Matt.2.21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
Matt.2.22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
Matt.2.23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

John the Baptist prepares the way

Matt.3.1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
Matt.3.2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matt.3.3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance

Matt.3.11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Matt.3.12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Lo, the heavens were opened

Matt.3.13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
Matt.3.14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

Matt.3.15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
Matt.3.16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
Matt.3.17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Jesus tempted by Satan

Matt.4.1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
Matt.4.2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered.
Matt.4.3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Matt.4.4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Matt.4.5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

Matt.4.6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Matt.4.7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Angels came and ministered unto him

Matt.4.8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Matt.4.9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Matt.4.10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Matt.4.11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

He dwelt in Capernaum

Matt 4.12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
Matt.4.13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:

Matt.4.14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
Matt.4.15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
Matt.4.16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
Matt.4.17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Follow me

Matt.4.18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
Matt.4.19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Matt.4.20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

In a ship with Zebedee their father,

Matt.4.21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
Matt.4.22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him

There followed him great multitudes of people

Matt.4.23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Matt.4.24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

Matt.4.25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.