Christian Commentary Encouraging Devotions

From Abraham to King David to the Babylonian exile to Joseph.

Question:-

Joseph was not Jesus' biological father...

yet the Bible says Joseph's ancestors are Jesus' ancestors.

Hmmm, just wondering.

While Mary was still a virgin,

she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18

Dream # 1. Matthew 1:20.

1) You are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

2) Another of His names...Immanuel, meaning "God is with us". Matthew 1:23

3) The wise men called Him king of the Jews. Matthew 2:2

4) A ruler who will be a shepherd for Israel. Matthew 2:6

They worshipped Him and gave Him gifts. Matthew 2:11

Only God is worthy of worship, right?

Therefore, Jesus = God.

Dream # 2 Matthew 2:12

Dream # 3 Matthew 2:13

Jesus had enemies right from birth. Matthew 2:13

Jesus fulfilled prophecy. Matthew 1:22-23, Matthew 2:6, Matthew 2:15, Matthew 2:17

Dream # 4 Matthew 2:19

Dream # 5 Matthew 2:22

And what does John the Baptist show us about Jesus?

John's message was...

Repent!, i.e. turn from your sins and turn to God. Matthew 3:2

He was a forerunner of Jesus. Matthew 3:3

When they confessed their sins,

John baptized them. Matthew 3:6

But the religious leaders he denounced.

Called them snakes. Matthew 3:7

He talked about God's coming judgment. Matthew 3:7

When's the last time you heard a message on that?

Bear fruit in keeping with repentance, he told them.

Prove by the way you live

that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God. Matthew 3:8

The ax of God's judgment is ready to sever your roots, John told them. Matthew 3:10

Every tree that does not produce good fruit

will be chopped down

and thrown into the fire. Matthew 3:10

Too harsh?

Or maybe we haven't been presenting the full gospel.

John said Jesus was coming and that Jesus was so much better than him. Matthew 3:11

Jesus, John said, would baptize with the Holy Spirit

and... with fire.

Separating the chaff from the grain

with His winnowing fork.

Storing the grain,

but burning the chaff with never-ending fire. Matthew 3:11-12

Unquenchable fire.

Is this a part of the gospel of Jesus that we've been neglecting to tell people?

Salvation is so much more than a fire escape...

but people need to know there is a fire to be avoided.

An eternal fire.