Day 275 – Matthew 1, Luke 2

Talking Points

• Before his conversion, Matthew was a Jewish tax collector working for the despised Romans. He was hated as a turncoat who sought his own prosperity above all. After his encounter with Jesus, he writes to the nation he had betrayed, making clear the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel is realized in Jesus of Nazareth.
• “O little town of Bethlehem” What has become a routine part of the Christmas account is actually a deeply significant piece in God’s plan of salvation! As Mary and Joseph make their way to the “city of David,” they will walk past the fields where Ruth had gleaned and had met her kinsman redeemer. As they enter the small village, they will travel the streets where David roamed as a boy. As they look for an inn, they will fulfill the Word of God spoken to Micah. For now, out of Bethlehem will come the Kinsman Redeemer, the Heir of David, the promised Savior — Jesus! “While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth” (Luke 2:6).
• Of all the people in the world to whom God could have made the world’s greatest announcement, He chose shepherds. Shepherds were looked down upon by society, outside popular circles because of practicality, and deemed unclean because of trade. And, they were His choice. The Savior for sinners had come — a perfect Lamb — and His birth was made known to cast out, unclean keepers of sheep. Perfect.

Thoughts

What’s in a name? God has always had this incredible, deep, insightful thing about the giving of names. And, not just for others, but for Himself as well. It seems the infinitely wise, limitlessly intelligent Inventor of words takes great joy in revealing Himself in the complex, intricate connotations of words. I can almost see Him smile as He decides, “I’ll use this mix of letters and will give it this meaning. That’ll blow them away.” And, it does. “Tell them, ‘I AM’ has sent me to you” (Exodus 3:14).

And, then, there is the sweetest name of all. Steeped in Old Testament meaning and promise and weaving in New Testament revelation and relevance, God chooses a name for Hope. It, like all His other name choices, is immeasurably complex and, at the same time, breathtakingly simple. Only God can do that! It tells us His nature, His purpose, and His power. It reveals who He is, and it reveals His plan because of who He is. Think about that for a minute. It is introduced in relative silence, as an angel privately informs Joseph (Matthew 1:21). It ends in the loudest proclamation of all time — at this name “every knee will bow” (Philippians 2:10)!

And the name is Jesus.

“She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)