Intro to the New Testament

 

   

    The Gospels are very similar.  They are four accounts of the same major events of Jesus's life.  They are bring their own perspective, personality, and cultural background went into to their writing.  That means there are some different accounts of the same events, but they are all true.  You see the same thing in stories today, especially in court where people keep record.

    We are introduced to the new testament with Matthew.  Matthew was an apostle that came from the perspective of tradition.  He shows the importance of it and how Jesus came and changed everything he knew and understood.

    The family line and heritage has always been important to God's people.  It helps keep their history alive and remember important things as it may apply to them personally.  Matthew begins his account with the genealogy of Jesus.  It connects the dots of how God promised David his blood would always reign.  It also outlines some of God's other promises to confirm Jesus was who He said He was.  It also shows the significance of certain people, including Gentiles.

    Jesus' mother was Mary.  She was a descendant of David's line, but more on the poor to middle class instead of rich and royal.  She was engaged to Joseph which was more like a pledged contract.  We would consider them married by law, but not in living as husband and wife until all the affairs had been taken care of: home, income, stability.  

    Joseph was a righteous man.  When he discovered she was pregnant.  You can image how betrayed he probably felt, but he loved her enough not to want to disgrace her or have her killed for adultery.  He planned on showing her compassion and mercy by divorcing her in secret.  He didn't yet know that she was carrying God's son in her womb.  

    An angel came to Joseph to help him understand what was happening.  The angel encouraged Joseph to marry her.  The angel pointed out that Joseph's step-son would change the world and needed to be named Immanuel, which means "God with us".  Jesus in Greek is Joshua, which means "Yahweh saves".  These are the names that describe who Jesus is.  

    Joseph listened and did as he was asked.  He kept Mary pure by not having sexual relations until after Jesus was born.  He was a model for obedience.

Matthew 1