Butterfly. (Part 5 of 18 in "It's all about Jesus. - Matthew's Gospel")

The Bible teaches that followers of Jesus live under grace, not the law.  Yet Jesus says that He didn't come to abolish the law...and that it should not go away.  What then, is the Christian's relationship to the law.  How does Jesus' grace affect us following the rules?

As Jesus continued His teaching, the Sermon on the Mount, He explained to His disciples, and to the surrounding crowds, that while it can be easy to focus on the rules themselves, they must not forget God's intent in giving the law.  The heart of the law is to stir the heart of man towards God.

Derech HaYashar. (Part 4 of 18 in "It's all about Jesus. - Matthew's Gospel")

Jesus came to the kingdom of the world preaching "the Kingdom of God is at hand."  The culture and the ethic of God's Kingdom works in a completely different way than that of the world's kingdom.  The world says "blessed are the strong, for they get what they want."  Jesus said "blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  The world says "blessed are those who don't care, for they won't feel sad."  Jesus said "blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." 

In the introduction to the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus proposes a "blessed" life, they right way, the way of God's Kingdom...and for some, His words are congratulations, for others they are invitation, and for all they have transformative power in their lives.  What do His words mean to you?

 

Bait. (Part 3 of 18 in "It's all about Jesus. - Matthew's Gospel")

You may have heard it said: "Temptation is like bait on a hook."  That's because what you are tempted by is appealing to you, it usually falls right in front of you, and there's always a hook.  I’m not much of a fisherman…let’s be real, I’m scared of the worms...so I'm not much on fishing analogies.  It is true though, that Satan will bait a hook with anything enticing enough to get you to bite, and if you do, he’s ready, he’ll reel you in, and then you are caught…and then you die (that’s his plan anyway).


In Matthew 4:1-11, we see Jesus being tempted, just as we are.  The devil will try to bait just by the lust of the flesh, pride, and the lust of the eyes (or greed).  Glory to our Savior that He didn't bite.  For Jesus, there can be no compromise with the devil.

Aboriginal. (Part 2 of 18 in "It's all about Jesus. - Matthew's Gospel")

Aboriginal (a-bor-ij-n-al)
a. belonging to one, existing in a place since prehistory
b. having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state
--

In continuing the story at the Jordan River, Jesus comes to John for baptism.  Many were coming to John confessing sins, declaring repentance, and being baptized.  Jesus though, had no sins to confess and nothing to repent of...so what was His baptism all about!?!  It's not just a modern problem, John the Baptist wanted to know also.

In Matthew 3:13-17, the author utilizes quotations from 3 people at the scene of Jesus' baptism.  I'll use these 3 quotes to find the answer to the problem of Jesus' baptism.