Daily Encouragement

December 14, 2008 - The Genealogy, Conception And Birth Of The Messiah

Meditation on Matthew 1

The book of Matthew emphasizes that Jesus is the Messiah. He is the King who delivers us from our sins. His name is Emmanuel meaning "God with us".

From verse 1, we find that He is the son of David. That means Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promise to King David that His kingdom will last forever. Jesus is also the son of Abraham. He is the seed God promised to Abraham who will be a blessing to all nations.

From the genealogy in verse 2-17, we can find four women mentioned specially. They were women who should not be worthy in a royal list. But they were also chosen by God to be in the line of the ancestors of the Messiah. From this, we know that God's mercy has been abundant. He can include all to have his salvation. Who were these women any way?

From verse 18-23, we found that the Virgin Mary was to have a child conceived by the Holy Spirit. Her engaged husband, Joseph was told by an angel to name the child, Jesus. And this was foretold by the prophet, Isaiah.

Indeed, Joseph took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to Jesus. (v. 24-25)

Thus Christ, our Messiah was born. Let us celebrate the birth of our King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Let us celebrate that God is with us. Let us celebrate that we have been delivered from our sins through Jesus.

December 15, 2008 - Did The Wise Men Go To Worship At The Manger?

Meditation on Matthew 2

It is common to see the nativity scene where the shepherds and the Wise Men from the East all worship the Baby Jesus together at the manger. That needs to be corrected. Yes, it is true that the shepherds found Baby Jesus in a manger. But Matthew 2:11 clearly says, "And when they had come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worship Him." (NKJV) By the time the Magi arrived from the East, Jesus was a young child and he was living in a house with Mary and Joseph.

How long did it take for them to travel? I would estimate that it took them about thirteen months. According to the official astronomic record of the Han dynasty, during the 2nd year of the reign of Xiao Ai Di (孝哀帝), (around the actual time when Jesus was born, 4-5 BC.) a bright comic appeared in the constellation of Bull Carrier for seventy some days. For this most unusual appearance, the officials in the court had suggested a new era had arrived for the kingdom and had attempted to change the official calendar for the kingdom for sometime. Then about thirteen months later, in the same region of the constellation, the comic reappeared again.

This phenomenon explains to us why the Magi saw the star again with great joy in Matthew 2:10. Also we can understand why Herod commanded to kill all male infants under two years old in Bethlehem. It was more than a year since the Wise Men began their journey to search for the King of the Jews.

Though Jesus was born in the city of David, he was also announced by the angel to be the savior for all people, (Luke 2:10-11) So, the Jews, the Wise men and all of us should worship Him.

December 16, 2008 - Is Baptism Necessary?

Meditation on Matthew 3

This chapter teaches much on baptism.

1. Who can have the authority to perform baptism? Here John the Baptist was the messenger of God who even baptized Jesus. Today also only the person who is called and sent by God can baptize believers.

2. Who should be baptized? Jesus was the example for all of us. He needed not to be baptized but He wanted to fulfill all righteousness. So today all who confessed Jesus as their savior should follow His command and be baptized. (Matthew 18:19-20)

3. What should be the mode of baptism? Notice Matthew 3:16 says, "When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water" (NKJV) If He came up then He must have gone down into the water. Immersion therefore is the proper mode of baptism. In fact the word "Baptized" in Greek means "to dip in". This is the best way for us to testify to the world that we have been dead with Christ and raised with newness of life. (Romans 6:3-6)

4. What is the result of baptism? Jesus was declared that he pleased the father and began His ministry. (Matthew 3:17f) We too would please the father through baptism and then are able to serve Him. If you have received Christ as your personal Savior and Lord, tell your pastor this Sunday and prepare to be baptized.

December 17, 2008 - Instant Way To Success?

Meditation on Matthew 4

Jesus was tempted by the Devil before he began His ministry. All three temptations had to do with instant success. When he was hungry after 40 days of fasting, he was tempted to turn the stones to bread. Without looking for food and without cooking, he could have satisfied his physical need right away. But he realizes that he was a man, he must first seek to satisfy the spiritual hunger by obeying God's Word and will. Without His Father's permission, He should take the easy route to satisfy Himself.

Then the Devil asked Jesus to throw himself down from the pinnacle of the temple in order to prove that He can have the angels to protect him as the Son of God. This would have been an instant miracle for all to see and a quick way to draw attention for His power and position. But again, Jesus refuses to do so by claiming that He should not put God to test. Manipulate God's power for our quick success is wrong.

Finally, Satan simply asked Jesus to worship him and he would grant Jesus the whole world because the whole world lies in his power. (1 John 5:19) Then Jesus would not have to go through the cross. What an easy way to success. But Jesus rebuked him that we should worship God alone.

Today we all would have temptation to take the easy route to success by committing the wrong or other unethical or non-spiritual way. Especially for those who just began their first job. May we learn from Jesus. Use God's Word to rebuke the Devil and avoid misinterpreting God's Word too.

December 18, 2008 - God's Law And Our Heart

Meditation on Matthew 5

This chapter deals with the laws of God and our attitude toward them.

Verses one to twelve are the constitution of the kingdom of God for the citizens of His kingdom. When we abide by those laws we are blessed. Verses thirteen to sixteen tell us that the kingdom citizens must shine and have influence on others. Verses seventeen to twenty tell us that God's Law does abide forever.

Then from verses twenty one to thirty two, Jesus instructs us that God is interested in our heart as well as our outward behavior. Our attitudes toward brothers and sisters, toward our spouse, concerning adultery and marriage are all important in kingdom rules.

Jesus also informs us (in verses thirty three to thirty seven) that our words express integrity. Whatever we say should be true.

Then Jesus gives us a new concept about our enemies: Go the second miles, pray and love those who hate you. These are the new laws of His kingdom. (v. 38-47)

Therefore Jesus' demand is perfection. (v. 48) Most of us seldom pay attention to fulfill all these requirements. May be that's why our prayers are not answered sometimes. Recall the apostle John says that we need to ask anything according to His will, and then He hears us. (1 John 5:14)

Would you begin to practice what Jesus says in His kingdom law? You will find your life fulfilled and your prayers answered fully.

December 19, 2008 - Don't Show Off And Don't Worry

Meditation on Matthew 6

Jesus continued His sermon of the mount for His disciples in this chapter. Every word of Jesus has great significance for our lives. Each of us should take time to meditate upon those passages that have special interest to us this day.

The first portion (v. 1-18) instructs us how to pray and the manner for prayers and giving. Mainly we should not show off our spirituality.

"And your Father, who see what is done in secret, will reward you". (v. 18b NIV)

The second portion deals with money and our possession. Jesus wants us to worship God and not money. Those who have clear vision will know that we should rather store up treasures in heaven. Jesus knows our worries about daily living and economic concern. Verses 25 to 34 give us the most comforting words about tomorrow. He concludes this section this way: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (v. 33-34)

May you internalize these portions of God's Word. God knows your condition. As you turn your eyes upon Him, He will guide you and supply all your needs.

December 20, 2008 - Discernment And Evaluation

Meditation on Matthew 7

Jesus' word is full of wisdom and instruction for living. Each paragraph of this chapter needs to be studied very carefully. Sermons, books and theological dissertation have been written about these words in great quantity. But, allows me to just bring out some key points for our meditation today.

The common theme in this entire passage is judging.

First of all Jesus cautions us that before we judge others we should first judge ourselves. We are not qualified to judge others when we do not first deal with ourselves, our fault and our impurity. (v. 1-6)

Immediately, Jesus follows the above teaching with prayers. Perhaps those who like to judge others are those who really have needs themselves. Aren't we all like that?

But remember however that you will be treated the same way as you treat others. (v. 7-12)

Jesus also asks us to enter the narrow gate which leads to life rather than entering into the wide and broad gate that leads to destruction. Again, Jesus is teaching us how to make discernment in life. (v. 13-14)

Continuing, Jesus teaches us how to discern the false prophets in sheep's clothing. Please notice the serious judgment on those false preachers who even perform miracles in His name. Have you noticed God's requirement here? Please read verse twenty one.

Our Lord then concludes his teaching with the two foundations in life. Which foundation are you building your life on? Let us remember that Jesus is not only asking us to know His word but also urging us to practice His word. That's the criteria whether a person will stand firm and strong in the future or not.