Jan 25, 2023
Salvation for all the Nations: Obedient to the Law of Israel, Jesus' parents present him in the Jerusalem Temple where Simeon, directed by the Spirit proclaims that a new age has arrived. All that Israels Scriptures expected has arrived: light for both Jew and Gentile yet there is more. This child will cause division,...
Jan 17, 2023
Jesus ' ministry begins with power: The ministry of Jesus opens as that of John the Baptist comes to a close. His presence in Galilee recalls the promise of the Prophet Isaiah that light now dawns for both Israel and the Gentiles. Jesus proclaims the arrival of God's Kingdom, and shows the irresistible power of the...
Jan 10, 2023
The Lamb of God and Son of God: Year A briefly turns away from Matthew’s gospel to indicate the importance of John the Baptist in the revelation of Jesus to the world. John the Baptist sees Jesus passing but as the most reliable witness to Jesus, he can look upon Jesus and proclaim that he is the Lamb of God. He...
Jan 8, 2023
All that Righteousness Demands: All Gospels record Jesus' Baptism; the moment he begins his public messianic ministry. Matthew alone records God has a plan, through Jesus' interactions with John the Baptist. Jesus' first words in Matthew's Gospel sets the agenda: God's will must be done so that all righteousness be...
Jan 3, 2023
A Child Reveals God to the World: Within the Christmas cycle we meet the wise men from the East who are not Jews but know that a King has been born. Their obedient journey brings them to Jerusalem, where they learn that the Scripture says the child will be born in Bethlehem. The wise men represent the world outside...