Anger is not wrong, we can be angry at injustice or sin, but here Jesus is linking anger with strife and murder. Anger must be expressed and if we’re not careful it will lead us down the same path as Cain with Abel (Jesus is referencing that story here with 4 uses of the word brother and the journey to the altar to make a sacrifice). Jesus is encouraging us that a greater righteousness is to be a peacemaker, to go and be reconciled, to seek the forgiveness of those we have wronged, and in so doing restore t

It is important that we understand this short section in Jesus sermon in order that the next 3 chapters make sense. What does it mean that Jesus fulfilled the law? And what does Jesus mean when he says that our righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees and teachers of the law? I thought Christianity was all about grace and love, not having to be even better than those who work really hard at doing everything right?! Well, we need to understand the meaning of the words for Matthew. For him, Jesus “ful

The Kingdom is to be salt and light to the earth. Salt was to season all offerings given to God to make them palatable to him so that he didn’t spit them out, and was a mark of the covenant between God and his people. We are the light on a hill that all peoples are drawn to. We are the heir to the Abrahamic covenant, but this time not sand and stars but salt and light, one on the earth and one above it. What makes us salt and light? Our good deeds, which flavour the whole earth and bring it light. Without u

Matthew’s story is one of mountaintop experiences (7 mountains in total). Biblically mountains are the places that Heaven and earth meet. Jesus is taking his throne, (note he sits in verse 1) as the only one who has the right to join heaven and earth. And as we gather to him we receive healing, deliverance, renewal, restoration and resurrection life.

The call to discipleship is a radical one. “Every subject of Jesus’ Kingdom, of the kingdom of heaven is called to restructure their time, their spending of money, their desires and hopes, their actions, their plans, their marriages, their work, their leisure, in radical ways. From the roots up, everything is to be redirected towards Jesus.” – Peter Leithart.

Why? In order that we might bring others into the Kingdom. In the OT fishing for men represented invading a land and leading it’s people into exile,

Whenever we make a clear declaration that we are citizens of God’s Kingdom, we will experience testing. Jesus shows us this in his wilderness experience. So, why is Jesus tempted? The Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness, so does God “lead us into temptation”? Surely not! But he will use temptation to reveal our hearts. So, what will he find, and what can we learn from Jesus about how to overcome such temptation? Jesus shows us the importance of not just knowing Scripture, but living it out

In the story of Jesus’ baptism we see the reuniting of Heaven with Earth; that through Jesus the two that were estranged since Adam are now reunited (the dove hovering over Jesus is reminiscent of the Spirit hovering over the new creation). In “fulfilling all righteousness” Jesus is not obeying a command (there is no law that says you must be baptised) but rather becoming the fulfilment of prophecy – Jesus is becoming God’s instrument of righteousness on the earth – just as we do when we are baptized.

In the story of Herod’s reaction to Jesus’ birth Matthew shows us that a new King has arrived, ushering in a new Kingdom for all peoples, every race, tribe and tongue, and we all have a choice – to submit to him or not. Herod refuses to use his authority wisely but in Hezekiah we have an example of authority under submission that we should all follow.

As we approach Christmas Day, John helps us to reflect on how we feel once the waiting is over. Often the arrival of much anticipated gifts can result in disappointment, often due to our unrealistic expectations. But if we truly understand our need for a Saviour, then Jesus should never disappoint.

In Mary we see an incredible example of someone who submits themselves to God’s plans and purposes even at great personal cost. Mary knows that carrying, birthing, raising and witnessing the suffering of her son will not be easy, but she knows that in the waiting and the trusting there will also be great blessing. We must remain grateful that God might consider us worthy to be part of his glorious plan for all of humanity.