READING: Malachi 4, Matthew 1-4
It’s the tenth month of the year, and we’re finally finishing the Old Testament today with the final chapter of Malachi. At least for me, I’m left with a deep desire for the ultimate solution to all the problems humankind has faced; that is, I’m finishing the Old Testament looking forward with anticipation for the coming of the Messiah. Practically, the very length of the Old Testament means that reading it will take more time than reading the New Testament, but its repetition of recurrent sin struggles of the Hebrews and the nations also increases my desire for God to intervene in the chaos.
And, He does step into the story in a most unusual and unexpected way:
- “and Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary, who gave birth to Jesus who is called the Messiah” (Matt 1:16)
- “The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit” (Matt 1:18)
- “See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel” (Matt 1:23)
The one named Immanuel would be the one to save His people from their sins. It was He to whom the stars in the sky pointed. He was the Son of God who pleased the Father. So powerful was He that He ordered Satan to go away, and the devil left Him. And—in what is quite amazing—He called folks to follow Him that the world might have considered least likely to be His disciples.
Indeed, the Son of God called people like you and me to Himself. That’s one of the reasons we’re now reading books known as the “gospels”—announcements of good news!
PERSONAL REFLECTION: How “good” is the good news for you today?
PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for Your Son.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Matthew 5-8
