Hebrews 4- Word of God
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Author Archives: Unashamed of Jesus
Matthew 2- Out of Egypt
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. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 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. Matthew 2:13-15
When you study the entire Bible, its amazing all the shadows of Christ that are in the Old Testament. When we think about Egypt, of course we think about the Israelites being delivered from over 400 years of slavery in the Exodus. And then Jesus symbolically uses Egypt to demonstrate how Christ delivered us from the slavery of sin and death. (John 8)
It’s interesting that Egypt became an intrical part of Jesus’ life here on Earth. As King Herod began looking to kill the newborn King, God warned Mary and Joseph to take Jesus to Egypt and hide out. The Apostle Matthew declares that his act fulfills the prophecy foretold by Hosea in the Old Testament
When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. Hosea 11:1
It’s amazing when you read this prophecy and realize that Jesus was being foretold about hundred of years before the Incarnation of Christ. Did Israel understand this prophecy was given to them? Probably not, much like when Isaiah foretold the Sign would be a Virgin would have a Son (Isaiah 7:14) How could anyone during that time period even comprehend these prophecies? Even today with all the knowledge, manuscripts, and commentaries we have today, many still ponder the exact meaning of these phrases.
The Apostle Matthew does an excellent job of tying together the Messianic Prophecies of the Old Testament with the fulfillment in the New Testament. Matthew clearly states that this event of Jesus going to Egypt was the fulfillment of Hosea 11:1. Same as he states the Incarnation of Christ is the fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14, you either believe the Bible or you don’t
But think of Jesus Christ as the greater Joseph, the greater Moses. Joseph went to Egypt as a slave and became King, Moses beacame the mediator between God and Israel and led them out of slavery of Egypt. But Christ is the greater Joseph or Moses, these men were just shadows of Jesus to come.
For God so loved the world that He gave his Only Begotten Son! (John 3:16) Salvation is now possible through Christ Amen!
Deity of Christ- Is Jesus Eternal?
Hebrews 3- The Calling
Matthew 2- The Magi
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, 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. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 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. Matthew 2:1-6
Some of the most mysterious characters in the Bible are the Magi or Wise Men. Who are these guys? Where did they come from? The Magi were from Persia , which is modern day Iran. So the Magi traveled about 900 miles on camelback to find the Christ child. Now it’s obvious the Magi were familiar with many of the Messianic Prophecies of the Old Testament, including Micah 5:2 which says the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem. They were also familiar with the prophecy of Numbers 24:17 about the star as a sign of the Messiah
During their journey to Bethlehem , the Magi traveled through Jerusalem and met with King Herod, who heard about the coming of The Messiah, a King above all Kings. Herod instantly became threatened by Christ, and pretended to want to worship Jesus , however truly he just wanted to kill him. Which we will see later caused the horrific event known as “Rachel’s weeping”
The Magi were very intelligent , hence the name “Wise Man” they were known as your experts of the time, such as we look upon doctors or scholars today. The Magi were also a fulfillment of prophecy themselves as foretold by Isaiah “And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. “ (Isaiah 60:3) “
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 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. 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. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 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. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way Matthew 2:7-12
So how did the Magi find Jesus? They followed the star , which was prophesied in Numbers 24:17, to the town of Bethlehem prophesied by Micah 5:2. It’s often tradition in our Nativity scenes, to have 3 wise men. Well first thing is we don’t know exactly how many Magi made the trip, we assume 3 because of the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Secondly , by the time the Magi found Jesus, it says he was a “young child”, it was most likely the Magi visited Jesus at his house and not in the manger. It could have potentially been months, maybe years until the Magi reached Bethlehem and found Jesus.
The most significant point to get from this, is that the Magi were Gentiles coming to worship the Messiah, the New Covenant has now arrived through Jesus. Salvation is now possibly, not only to the Jews but also the Gentiles who put their faith in Christ! Amen!
Hebrews 2-Crowned With Glory
Matthew 1- Incarnation of Christ
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. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 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. Matthew 1:18-20
Every year around Christmas time, the great debate begins among Christians, “Should we celebrate the birth of Christ”? While many Christians opt to celebrate Hanukkah instead, which wasn’t commanded by God either and has no relevance to the New Covenant. The Incarnation of Christ is a central and essential doctrine of Christianity. If Christ didn’t become human there would be no atonement for your sins!
Mary was a virgin and she conceived the Son of God by the Holy Spirit. The Incarnation, much like the Triunity of God, is difficult for us to wrap our human minds around. Often people who can’t comprehend it, just reject it like the Triunity of God. Just because you can’t understand something doesn’t mean it’s not true. If God is truly the Creator of everything, don’t you think He will be a little complex? The reality is The Incarnation of Christ had to happen to save humanity, the Son of God had to become a man to pay for the sins of the world
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 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. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. Matthew 1:21-25
The Apostle Matthew felt the Incarnation of Christ was so important, that he began his gospel writing with it. Why? Well because 700 years earlier the prophet Isaiah foretold The Messiah would come from a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) What will be the sign of the Messiah? God said “A virgin will give birth to a Son and he will be called Immanuel” Matthew goes on to give us further commentary that Immanuel means “God Is With Us”, think about that God became flesh and lived among Us (John 1:14)
And if there is any doubt God said His name will be Jesus (Yeshua) and He will save us from our sins. Christians have gotten so distracted around Christmas with arguments about paganism, that they forget or miss what happened in that manger in Bethlehem!
The sign was delivered by God, the Son of God becoming human to reconcile us back to The Father. The New Covenant is now upon us, Thank you Jesus! Amen!
Hebrews 1- Thy Throne O God
Luke 24- The Ascension of Christ
And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. Luke 24:50-53
The hour has come for Jesus to ascend back to Heaven and sit at the right hand of The Father. It was exactly 40 days after the resurrection that Jesus ascended to Heaven. The number 40 in the Bible is often symbolic of a time of judgment or testing. We can reference the Israelites spent 40 years in the Wilderness (Joshua 5:6) and Jesus was tested in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights (Matthew 4)
Notice it says “They worshiped Him” the disciples worshiped The Lord Jesus Christ. Those who deny the deity of Christ or claim Jesus isn’t God, how do you explain this? Was the first century Church a group of Idolaters? Of course not, because Jesus is God in the Flesh (John 1:14) The Son of God who came to reconcile us from our sins. The early Church understood and recognized the deity of Christ. And they rejoiced as Jesus took his position as sitting at the right hand of God The Father.
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:9-11
Luke records the same account in the book of Acts, notice the Angels told the disciples Jesus would return in the same way he was ascended. Yes Jesus Christ is going to return again (Matthew 25) and when He returns its not going to be a mystery or secret, every eye will see him (Revelation 1, Matthew 24) just as the same way He ascended back to Heaven.
The Ascension of Christ is the completion of Jesus’ Earthly ministry. We are now in the time of the Fullness of Gentiles, and Christ will not return until the Great Commision (Matthew 28:19) is completed. Many Christians claim to want Christ to return, if you truly do, then we must do our job and share the good news of Jesus Christ to everyone!
Lift your heads brother and sisters because redemption is drawing near in Jesus name Amen!
Philippians 4- Peace Of God
Unashamed of Jesus 