Category

Matthew 4:12-23=This Is Where It Begins! Bible Background: In Matthew, Mark, and Luke Jesus is baptized, then is tested in the wilderness, then begins his public ministry and calls his first disciples. Digging Deeper: 1. This scene starts on an ominous note: John the Baptist has... Read More →

JOHN THE BAPTIST + BAPTISM OF JESUS MATTHEW 3:1-17 Bible Background: John the Baptist appears and acts like one of the prophets. He attracts people and scares them away at the same time. John issues a call to serious repentance. People respond! Maybe John has tapped into a... Read More →

THE VISIT OF THE MAGI + MATTHEW 2:1-12 Bible Background: Only Matthew tells this story of foreigners who come seeking the newborn king! We don’t know much about them! We think they came from Persia (modern day Iran) and were Zoroastrian priests. They weren’t... Read More →

Matthew 2 = Threats and Safe Refuge Bible Background: Matthew alone tells of the visit of the Wise Men and the threat posed by King Herod to the baby Jesus. Mary and Joseph flee to Egypt with their son, until King Herod is no more. But other families are not so fortunate, as... Read More →

Matthew 1:18-25 The Birth of Jesus Bible background: Only Matthew and Luke report Jesus’ birth. The Gospels of Mark and John do not. Matthew approaches Jesus’ birth from the perspective of Joseph-Jesus’ adoptive father. We read of Joseph’s dilemma and... Read More →

Isaiah 7=Emmanuel, God With Us! Bible Background: This story mixes politics and religion! In 734 BCE, King Ahaz of Judah is being threatened by the King of Israel and one of his allies. King Ahaz reaches out for an alliance with superpower Assyria (who will eventually crush... Read More →

JONAH – NOT ON THE SAME PAGE WITH GOD! Bible Background: Jonah is a short story (You can read it in 5 minutes!) It’s got a ‘comic’ quality to it, as in “What a silly prophet!” “What a whopper of a tale!” The story was likely written... Read More →

1 Kings 17 = Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath Bible Background: The prophet Elijah is introduced abruptly, in a time in Israel when King Ahab and Queen Jezebel have led the people away from worshipping only the LORD, and have encouraged worship of Baal (Canaanite deity, thought... Read More →

1 Samuel 17 = David and Goliath Bible Background: 1 & 2 Samuel are really 1 book! Size made it necessary to be in 2 parts. 1 Samuel is about the rise of the monarchy in Israel, with the first King, Saul; and then David. David is shown to be a brave, faithful, young hero! He... Read More →

Joshua 6 = Battle of Jericho Bible Background: The Book of Joshua emphasizes: a) Taking possession of the Promised Land, b) Joshua as Moses’ legitimate successor, and c) The importance of complete obedience to Yahweh. Some of us learned as little kids: “Joshua fought... Read More →