ARE YOU CERTAIN

Matthew’s Gospel
Chapter 1: CERTAINTY

REALITY - The book of Matthew begins in the original Greek, “Βίβλος γενέσεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ...” when translated reads: biblos (scroll/book), of genesis (beginning/origin), of Jesus (Greek form of Joshua), Christ (Greek form of Messiah). What we see from the opening verse, actually the first two words, Matthew is presenting much more than a mere genealogy or ancestral record. Matthew is an expert literary craftsman. Jesus is the incarnate new “genesis” anticipated ever since the catastrophic events of Eden. Jesus, God, has always been the exclusive reality, but now the covenantal King has arrived in the flesh, as prophesied, son of David (2 Sam 7), and son of Abraham (Gen 12:3). We can be CERTAIN Jesus is the exclusive reality; He has come, at great cost (Rev 13:8), to make that reality universally known. (See Dale C. Allison Jr's book, Studies in Matthew, for more).

HISTORY - At first glance, the ancestral line of David might appear impressive; Abraham (the original covenantal patriarch), Jacob (the original Israel), Judah (the tribe of the Gen 49:10 blessing), David (the great king of Israel), Solomon (the wisest man to ever live!)... but upon deeper investigation, it seems Matthew’s goal isn’t to paint a peerless or fantastic family portrait; Matthew includes harlots, liars, thieves, adulterers, idolaters, murderers, and at least one baby-killer in Jesus’ ancestral record. We can be CERTAIN that we don’t need better circumstances, better parents, a better education, or a better financial situation. Matthew skillfully demonstrates that regardless of circumstances and opportunities, sin effectively and comprehensively corrupts us all. We can be CERTAIN that since Adam, sin is, was, and will always be our exclusive identity - apart from Christ.

NECESSITY - Simply stated, we need Christ. We’ve always needed Him - even before sin entered into the picture (John 1:4). Desperate dependency is NOT relegated exclusively to sinners separated from Christ; it is the exclusive reality for everyone at all times. Jesus isn’t “merely” our redeemer. He is the Eternal Son, the Christ. Jesus is worthy of all honor, glory, praise, and worship… even if He had never come… even if He had never gone to Calvary. We can be CERTAIN we desperately need Jesus - not just to save us (one and done), but at every moment of every day for all eternity.

OPPORTUNITY - The angel of the Lord instructed Joseph, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus…” Then, the angel of the Lord clarifies by stating, “because He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew has carefully crafted this opening chapter to point out Jesus is our New Beginning (genesis) because of humanity’s universal and fatal corruption. Matthew has masterfully demonstrated the absolute necessity for us to yield everything in absolute surrender to the rightful King of Eternity. Then, in the subtle statement, “He will save His people from their sins,” Matthew identifies the certainty of a limited time opportunity. Jesus is only going to save “His people from their sins.” We can be CERTAIN that if we aren’t completely yielded and surrendered to Christ and His mission - we will not be saved from our sins.

RESPONDABILITY - Not a typo. Respondability. It is our ability to respond. Joseph heard what the angel of the Lord said, therefore, when he woke, Joseph did as the angel “commanded.” When the word of the Lord comes - it isn’t a suggestion, a positive approach, good idea, or something we should file away to entertain when we have time. When God speaks to us it is always a command requiring immediate action. We can be CERTAIN our ability to respond is what best demonstrates whether or not we truly are either “His people,” or those who choose to remain in their sins eternally separated from God.

Are you CERTAIN?

Blessings,
Kevin M. Kelley
aMostUnlikelyDisciple.com