Follow Me - The Book of Matthew p2

FOLLOW ME – The Book of Matthew

Matthew 2:1-23

(Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; Hebrews 10:4-7) In Isaiah’s Prophecy, we are told how the Messiah would come and what His Name is going to be. 50 years later we have Micah’s prophecy, where we’re told the location that the virgin birth would take place, and that the One to be born is God! Then in the New Testament Book of Hebrews we have the confirmation of the promise.

1. The Birth of Jesus

a. (Matthew 1:18-25) Up until John the Baptist there had not been a direct voice from God since Malachi (400 yrs.), because of their backsliding. When you backslide, you can’t hear from God until you repent. There were some folks who still held fast to the Word of God, who were praying for it to be fulfilled, and believed God would bring it to pass.

b. So, Mary “was found with child of the Holy Ghost;” a supernatural act. Joseph, who was upright and not wanted to bring dishonor and made a public example of, wanted to hide Mary away and divorce her privately. But the Angel visited Joseph and said, “Joseph thou son of David!” He reminded Joseph of the greatness of his heritage ad not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife.

2. Where is the Devil?

a. When Christ was born, the Roman Empire was in control, Augustus was Caesar and Cyrenius was governing Syria, which included Israel at that time. The Shepherds in the field had put away their sheep for the night. When suddenly, the Angel Gabriel and a multitude of “heavenly host” announce Jesus’ birth to the Shepherds.

b. (Revelation 12:1-5) The woman is Israel. The Child is Christ. The dragon is Satan. The stars are fallen angels. Jesus, born of Mary (an Israelite), and Satan (the dragon) is poised to devour the man-child, Jesus, as soon as He is born. But, in due time, He is caught up to Heaven and God’s Throne. Satan was nowhere near Bethlehem when Jesus was born. If he had been, he would have heard the announcement of the Angels and shepherds. Only God is everywhere, all-powerful, and all-knowing!

3. Where is Jesus?

a. (Matthew 2) Having seen His star, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem with gifts to worship Jesus. Afterwards, Joseph took Mary and Jesus down to Egypt to hide from Herod. Herod killed all the children aged 2 and under hoping Christ was one of them. Satan did not know where Jesus was. Even after they returned to Galilee, Satan and his fallen angels didn’t have a clue. Where is Jesus?

b. It was not until many years later when we find Jesus being baptized by John, and the Bible says in Matthew 3:16-17, “And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: (17) And lo a Voice from heaven, saying, THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, in whom I Am well pleased.” Only THEN did Satan know what had happened and from that moment on all the powers of hell were unleashed upon Jesus and He was driven by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the Devil. The story of Jesus is supernatural from A to Z and is for “all people.” We must be ready to be used of God, share the Good News, and not be afraid of the Devil.