Matthew 3:1, In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,  John the Baptist was Jesus's cousin, but he was also the fore runner of Jesus.  He was preaching God's word to prepare the people for the ministry of Jesus.  Verse two states, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  John the Baptist's was a very simple message, and was a call to repentance because the kingdom of God was at hand.  This should be our message today, which can only be achieved through faith in Christ as Savior and Lord.  Verse three states, 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.  The preaching of John the Baptist had also been foretold in the book of Isaiah.  He called on them to make straight their paths.  This does not mean that they could save themselves, but that as much as was possible they were to prepare to meet Jesus.  I believe this was a call for people to repent of their sins and turn to God's guidance, which would now lead them to Jesus.  We must call people today to that same repentance and lead them to Jesus.  John the Baptist could not save the people he preached to, and neither can we.  Like John the Baptist though, we can point them to Jesus, the only one Who can save them.  Verse four says, And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.  John the Baptist was far from being a part of the religious establishment.  We might call him somewhat of a wild man by his looks and diet.  In other words, he was a simple man in dress and diet, and not one that people would expect to be the harbinger of a King.  We, as followers of Christ, must never judge people, especially God's spokesmen, by their looks, but need to judge them by their message.  Verse five declares, Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,  John the Baptist had people coming from the entire region to hear him.  Many thought he might be the Messiah, but he never accepted their praise.  We must go into the world with God's message of salvation, but we must never claim God's glory for ourselves.  It seems that we too often want to isolate ourselves from the world, but we are commanded to go out into the world with the message of Christ.  Verse six says, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.  This baptism was not the same as a believers baptism, because Jesus had yet to begin His ministry and had not defeated sin and death on the cross.  Still, it was a sign of their willingness to repent.

Matthew 2:16 says, 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.  Herod felt the wise men had mocked him.  He had lied to them about his reason for wanting to know where Jesus was, yet he felt that they mocked him when they did not obey his order.  Those in power often feel that everyone should do exactly as they say, and if they don't, they will often take action against them or what they have said.  Herod ordered that all the children under two years old, in Bethlehem and the surrounding areas be killed.  This was based on the time that Herod had diligently gotten from the wise men.  Herod could have just gone back two years to be certain, or the wise men may have told him it had been two years.  We simply must not insist that tradition is more important than what the Bible actually tells us.  Verse seventeen states, Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,   This was the fulfillment of another prophecy about Jesus.  Verse eighteen says, 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.  It is hard to imagine the grief of all the parents because of the actions of Herod.  Again, I do not believe that this was something that God forced Herod to do, but it was simply something that God knew he would do.  If God's will were to be forced on people, then all would have been saved, even without the necessity of the death of Jesus on the cross.  Verse nineteen states, But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,  At the death of Herod, an angel once more appeared to Joseph in a dream.  We must assume that Joseph was attuned to listening for God to speak to him.  If we are not personally involved in a relationship with God, we may miss it when He speaks to us.  Verse twenty states, 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.  Joseph was instructed to take Mary and the young child back to Israel because the danger had passed.  We are not told how long they were in Egypt, nor what they did while they were there.  We can be sure that God provided for them, just as He will for us today if we follow His leadership.  Verse twenty-one says, And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.  Joseph didn't hesitate to follow God's instructions, and neither should we.  Verse twenty-two says, But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the place 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:  When Joseph returned to Israel, he heard that Herod's son, Archelaus was in power, and he was afraid to go on, but God warned him to go to Galilee instead.  As long as Joseph recognized God's leadership, he was never put in danger because he had a particular task to preform, and that was bringing up Jesus.  I don't believe that we can say that following God will never place us in physical danger, but it will certainly never place us in spiritual danger, which is what really matters.  Verse twenty-two says, 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.  Joseph went to Nazareth, which once more fulfilled a prophecy.  I believe that we can say that God's word is always true, and that what He says will happen will happen.

Matthew 2:9 says, 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.  The star led the wise men to where Jesus was.  We might ask why it had stopped before, but it may have been that the wise men had simply quit following when they sought answers from Herod.  We today need to be careful that we always follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit and never look to the world for guidance, especially in matters related to God.  Verse ten declares, When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.  Neither Herod nor the religious leaders could fully answer their questions, but God would lead them to the answer.  Just like the wise men, when God answers our prayers, we should rejoice with exceeding great joy.  Verse eleven states, 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.  This says they came into the house and saw Mary and the young child.  This could mean that some time had passed since the birth of Jesus.  The shepherds had found the baby lying in a manger, and the wise men found a young child in a house.  Whether the night of His birth or some time later, the wise men found Jesus and worshipped Him.  They gave gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus.  We need to seek the will of God in all that we do and offer Him the best that we have when we worship Him.  Verse twelve says, And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.  When the wise men were seeking Jesus, they followed a star.  After they came to Jesus, God spoke to them directly, and they followed His advice.  They departed to their own country another way instead of returning to Herod.  Their choice was to follow those in power or to follow God's guidance.  If we today are confronted with that choice, we must be like the wise men and follow God's leadership.  Verse thirteen states, 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.  An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream warning him to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt.  Fortunately, Joseph did not just write it off as a dream.  Joseph was warned that Herod would try to destroy Jesus.  Verse fourteen declares, When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:  Joseph acted on this warning and did as instructed.  When we know that God has spoken to us today, even if it is through a dream, we must do as God instructs us.  This does not mean that every dream is God speaking to us, but however God speaks to us, I believe that we will know it is Him speaking.  Verse fifteen says, 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.  This was the fulfillment of another prophecy.  I do not believe that God caused Herod to act as he did, but God simply knew how he would act.

Matthew 2:1 says, 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,  Jesus was born in Bethlehem.  We know that Mary and Joseph were there due to the census to be used for taxation purposes.  This was also the fulfillment of a prophecy.  God can even use ungodly governments to accomplish His purposes.  We are told that wise men came from the east seeking Jesus.  We are not told how many, nor are we given their names.  We normally say three wise men because later three gifts were given, but we cannot state this as a certainty.  We simply need to allow God's word to say what it says without adding to it.  Verse three states, 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.  These wise men were seeking the One Who was born the king of the Jews.  We are not told when they came, but the star they were following led them to Jerusalem.  Going to those in power in the government was the wrong thing to do, since Jesus did not come to be an earthly King, but a heavenly King.  If we are truly seeking Jesus, God will lead us to where He is.  It is even more than that.  God will seek us and call us to salvation through Christ.  Verse three states, When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.  Instead of rejoicing at the news that the wise men shared, we are told that King Herod was troubled, and all of Jerusalem with him.  In those days, and some places in the world today, if the ruler is troubled, then because they are under his power all the people are troubled also because they do not know what he is likely to do.  Verse four states, And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.  King Herod brought the religious leaders to himself for answers.  He didn't just request an answer, but he demanded one.  We might think that God would have sent an angel to the high priest, but instead He sent an angel to a group of shepherds.  God has often had to work outside the established religious order to accomplish His will because the religious order, or leaders, have become corrupt.  Verse five states, And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,  The chief priests and scribes knew where the event was to happen, Bethlehem, but they did not know that it had happened, nor did they go to find out.  That is the problem with religion based on ritual rather than relationship.  A person may know the Bible backward and forward as the saying goes, but still not have a personal relationship with God.  Verse six says, 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.  This was what had been prophesied.  There wasn't just a checklist of prophecies that had to be checked off, but all the prophesies about Jesus were fulfilled.  Verse seven declares, Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.  Herod asked the wise men privately when the star appeared.  We can assume that the chief priests and scribes were not that interested.  Herod was not interested so he could go worship Jesus, but so he could destroy Him.  When God's people aren't interested in worshipping Christ, we can be sure that the world is intent on destroying His gospel.  Verse eight states, 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.  Herod lied to the wise men about his intentions.  Many people in power today are not reluctant to lie to God's people about their reasons for wanting their support.  Hopefully, unlike the chief priests and scribes we will look beyond their words and look to God for understanding.  We must have a desire to always seek the will of God first, and never aid those who would destroy God's word or teachings..

Matthew 1:18 says, 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.  Maybe I should have waited to closer to when we celebrate Christmas to look at the birth of Christ, but we need to remember His birth all year, and not just on a particular day.  This verse tells us of the miracle of the conception of Jesus and a fulfillment of a promise of God.  Jesus, the Messiah, would be born of a virgin.  Mary was espoused to Joseph, which was more like a an even greater commitment than we have with an engagement, I believe.  Mary was expecting a child, but Joseph and she had not been together in a sexual relationship.  Verse nineteen states, Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.  This verse refers to Joseph as an honorable man who did not want to bring dishonor to Mary, but he had to have believed that she brought dishonor to him.  He was seeing only with a physical understanding and not a spiritual one.  Verse twenty says, 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.  God did not leave Joseph to his own understanding, but sent an angel to present the truth of Mary's pregnancy to him.  Mary was pregnant by the Holy Spirit.  We may not be able to really understand how this was achieved, but we can be certain that it did.  The God Who created all can certainly create one miraculous baby.  Jesus' physical life did not begin at birth, but at conception, as I believe all life does.  Verse twenty-one says, And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.  This was way before ultrasound, but Joseph was told by the angel that Mary was going to have a Son.  Joseph was also told that he was to name the baby Jesus, for He would save his people from their sins.  It is hard to imagine how difficult it must have been for Joseph to accept this.  The only way to do so would have been by faith in God.  Verse twenty-two says, Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,  The birth of Jesus, the Messiah, had been foretold by prophets of old, and that prophecy was now being fulfilled.  Verse twenty-three states, 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.  This prophecy that was referred to is found in Isaiah 7:14.  Verse twenty-four declares,  Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:  Joseph could have just thought that he had a weird dream, but he put his faith in God's revelation into action.  It is not enough to just know what God wants us to do, but we must act on that knowledge.  Verse twenty-five says, And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.  Joseph married Mary, and did not have a sexual relationship with her until after the birth of Jesus.  I believe that only his faith in God allowed him to do this.  If God calls us to do anything, by our faith in Him we will be able to do it.

Matthew 1:1-16 says, The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. MAT1:02 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;  MAT1:03 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;  MAT1:04 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;  MAT1:05 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;  MAT1:06 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;  MAT1:07 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;  MAT1:08 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;  MAT1:09 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;  MAT1:10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;  MAT1:11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:  MAT1:12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;  MAT1:13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;  MAT1:14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;  MAT1:15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;  MAT1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.  This is the beginning of the New Testament, the one based on faith and not works.  These verses link the promise of God, made to Abraham and David, to the fulfillment of that promise in Jesus Christ.  Matthew was a Jew by birth and a publican by trade, and he was with Jesus throughout His ministry. There is little to say individually about these verses, as they simply give the genealogy of Christ and prove the faithfulness of God to keep His promises.  Verse seventeen says, 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.  This was forty-two generations after God's promise to Abraham, broken down into three series of fourteen generations.  Some have attempted to use this as a reason to claim that there would be fourteen generations until the return of Christ, but since Christ Himself said He did not know the day of His return, I do not believe that the purpose here was to help us fix a time.  I am not even sure how many generations have passed since Christ first came to earth, but we can be certain that He will return, even if it is after forty-two generations or longer.

I will briefly review what I believe are some of the things the book of Amos tells us today.  As always, when we read the Bible, God's written word to us, we need to look for the message for us today.  First, we see that the people of Israel had become God's people in name only, and had no real relationship with Him.  Many today, in America, claim that we are a Christian nation, but our actions are often inconsistent with our words.  I am no longer sure that the majority would even claim this, but those who claim to be followers of Christ often live by the same standards as those who deny God.  The nation of Israel in Amos' day felt that they would be materially blessed simply because they were known as being God's people.  Some who profess to be Christians, God's people today, believe that this means that God will materially bless them.  Another thing we learn from Amos is that God has a great concern for the poor and helpless of the world and expects His people to help meet their needs.  At no point does God ask His people to be the judge of whether someone is worthy of help or not.  We, as followers of Christ, cannot simply ignore at best or look down on at worst those who are less fortunate than us today and claim they don't deserve help.  We never deserved salvation, and it did not come to us because we were worthy, but salvation was a free gift from God.  Just as we did not deserve salvation but God gave it to us freely, we must obey God's direction and help those who are physically in need today.  Helping the poor and needy is a consistent command to God's people throughout the Bible, and I don't believe this has changed today.  Also, Amos said the people would hunger and thirst, not for bread and water, but for the word of God.  We today need that same hunger and thirst. We have become an obese nation in America physically, but we seem to be starving spiritually and are not concerned.  Also, we are reminded that God does not accept empty, ritualistic worship that is not based on a personal interaction with Him.  Worship should always be our praising God, and He should be the focus.  As long as our focus is on God, we can worship Him wherever we gather in His name.