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Opening Word

God’s greatest statement

Matthew 1, John 1 T6-01

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Welcome to an in-depth investigation of the Gospels. Experience Jesus Christ and see where He is at work in your life. Throughout this study, consider using the New King James Version for its clarity and reliability.

Come to the Scriptures with a prayer-filled heart and open mind as you uncover truths for your life. Record these in the space provided to help keep yourself accountable in your daily growth. Let what you discover of Him lead you to pray just as His first followers did. May you find a greater walk with Him.

Day 1: embellished Bible story.Day 2-6: interactive journal

devotions.Day 7: contemporary stories of

faith.-

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A Partial PeakRead Exodus 33

Moses approached the presence of God regularly for the congregation in the wilderness who had been too terrified of God to approach Him for themselves. They comforted themselves that they still got pretty close to the almighty, even if they did so only by means of Moses.

Typically, it would work like this: Moses would go to his tent to meet God. This was the tent where he had met with God previously, but after everyone offended the Lord, he moved his tent outside the camp of Israel. It was quite the ordeal. When Moses would head out to that Tent of Meeting, everyone acted reverently. They would stand solemnly at the door of their own tents and watch him walk out to that place of meeting the Holy One. That was as close as most of them ever got to the presence of the Lord.

When Moses would enter the tent, God’s pillar of cloud came down. The cloud, which somewhat obscured and limited visibility, would come into the entrance of the tent. This moved the people. When they saw the presence of the Lord like this, they would worship this shapeless God. Their worship was more in wonder and mystery than knowledge or intimacy.

Moses did not shrink back in fear, but loved the presence of the Lord. There, he would speak to God face to face—as much as that is possible with a cloud. Moses was not the only one who went to the hallowed location. Joshua also accompanied him. Moses got the message or prayer delivered as needed and then headed off to his next obligation—a faithful, dedicated leader. But Jesus—er, make that Joshua (the Hebrew form of the name Jesus)—would not leave God’s presence. This military leader stayed in the tent—he would not depart the Presence.

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One day, Moses was upset with God. God had said He was leaving the wilderness travelers and they would have to finish the journey without Him. Moses called Him on it.

“You tell me I have your favor, yet you are going to leave us here?” Moses demanded. “How do I know I have your favor? How do I know your grace is upon me?”

“My presence will go with you.”“Okay, then,” Moses said, “don’t leave us. If

your presence is not with us, we will not continue without You.”

“I will do the thing you ask,” the Lord said. “I will go with you and I will give you rest.”

Moses felt pushed. He had to ask the thing that had been gnawing at him for a long time. He wanted to see more than the cloud. He wanted clarity!

“I ask you now,” Moses said steadily, for he had thought on this a long time and did not feel he would be refused. “I ask that you show me your glory.”

The Lord answered, “I will make all My goodness pass before you and will proclaim the Name of the Lord before you.”

“Yes!” Moses whispered to himself.The Lord began to reveal Himself more to

Moses, saying, “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.”

“Wait until I write this down,” Moses whispered again, thinking of how much clearer his book would be with this information.

“But,…” God said.Moses said nothing but his heart sunk. “You cannot see My face.”

6 OPENING WORDMoses would not be getting all he asked for.

God would not reveal all His glory to him.“No man can see Me and live!”Moses thought, Maybe I didn’t need to see

Him just yet anyway.On the mountain, the Lord put Moses in

crevice in a rock. Then, the glory of the Lord passed by. Just when the vision was becoming the most intense, Moses’ could not see. It was as if a large hand had blocked his view. He looked but could not see anything—and then suddenly his view cleared and he could see glory that was fading.

Moses looked longingly into the afterglow of God’s glory. He had come so close. Closer than any man on earth. At least, any man so far.

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How Far Can I Reach?Look at your Bible for a second. Look at the

names at the beginning of the New Testament. You will find four. Jot down the names of each of the first four books of the Bible right here:

1.2.3.4.

Yep. Those guys.Do you realize that if it were not for that silent

quartet, you would not have a real picture of who Jesus was? Billions of people would miss out on the stories of children being healed, sorrowful beggars leaping for joy, and the most amazing fishing experiences. They would miss a lot more. In this series, the Gospels will open up for you in a brand new way and you will discover more about Jesus than you have seen already. First, though, a word of thanks from our sponsors: the Gospel writers.

Had Matthew been so focused on making money, had Mark quit in discouragement after his first failure in ministry, had Luke not finished the investigation he had begun, and had John become drunk on his own success, there would not have been a written record of Jesus life. Without these stories, Jesus would not live in believers’ minds as He does now.

How much did these writers expect their writings to do? How far did they think it all might go? While no answer exists to questions of what these four witnesses to Jesus may have thought, a bigger questions looms before you. How far might your witness go? Will Jesus live in the hearts and minds of people you know if you do not tell them His story?

8 OPENING WORDHow has your telling others about Jesus made

a difference in other people’s lives? How could God use your witness?

Let’s pick the new kid on the block to begin with. John Mark is likely the author of the Gospel of Mark. Some have suggested this book be called the Gospel of Peter. Peter knew John Mark’s family well and some say Mark wrote his gospel primarily on the eyewitness accounts told to him by Peter.

How does the young man start his Gospel in Mark 1:1?

Hey, everyone, the good news (gospel) starts here: Jesus Christ. That’s a good start to the greatest message. However, Mark wrote a condensed gospel that highlighted the power of Jesus Christ. While we appreciate the insights and wonder of the Jesus of Mark, we have to turn elsewhere to learn more about this “beginning” Mark broaches.

Look at Luke 1:1-2. What did this man tell us several people were doing in his day?

Hmm. Where are the writings of those many investigators? We do not have “many” gospels. It appears several people did set out to write about Jesus but never accomplished the project. The same can happen today. Many set out to tell others about Jesus but few accomplish this.

In Luke 1:3, why is Luke a valuable witness?

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In Luke 1:4, what is his goal in this project?

Notice he is writing to “Theophilus.” No one knows for sure who this man was specifically. Could it be that Luke wrote to help a single person learn about Jesus? How possible do you think it is also that your telling one person about the Lord could end up impacting thousands and even millions of lives you did not realize you would touch?

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All in the FamilyHaving seen how Mark and Luke introduced

the good news about Jesus, turn now to their neighbor to the west. Matthew was a disciple of Christ directly and one of the twelve apostles, unlike Mark and Luke. How does this former accountant present Jesus in Matthew 1:1?

Genesis presents lists of family names followed by that family’s stories. In a similar way, the scholar Matthew presents the chronology of Jesus’ “family tree” which he follows with the story of this remarkable Man.

First, Matthew tied Jesus’ identity to David, renowned king of Israel. Then, another major name in Judaism—the patriarch Abraham, both men with clear genealogies and family stories. This story will outdo any of theirs.

In Matthew 1:2, which key people appear here?

God promised special things to Abraham. In Genesis 22:18, what did the Lord tell this man of faith?

At first blush, this seems to say that Abraham’s descendants will bless all the nations. However, the view here is much more focused than that. In Galatians 3:16, what is this “seed of Abraham” to which the Lord referred?

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Matthew 1:3-6 mentions several male ancestors; it also mentions four members of the fairer sex. Who are they?

Notice, each of these women have suspicions and even scandals surrounding their roles as mothers. Perhaps this prepares the way for Mary’s unusual story, whom the Lord used regardless of what others thought.

Prophecies did not just come through Abraham. In Isaiah 11:1, what obscure prophecy does one read?

In Isaiah 11:10, what is the impact of this root?

How does Matthew 1:6 tie Jesus to Isaiah’s prophecy?

King David provides another high point in this list. In Matthew 1:7-11, who are the other kings listed?

This puts Jesus in the lineup to become king of Israel, too.

Sadly, Jeconiah ruined the monarchy for his descendants so that none of his sons would sit on

12 OPENING WORDthe throne (See Jeremiah 22:24-30 and 37:1). If Jeconiah had not lived wickedly, his successors would have reigned. Joseph of Nazareth would have been king of Israel. However, Jesus was not to get the crown from an earthly father.

Examine the father-to-son words used in Matthew 1:12-16. How does the pattern of presenting “[name] was the father of [son’s name]” change in verse 16? Why?

Jesus was not son of Joseph, as the birth narrative will make clear. While this is presented as His genealogy, the writer lets Jesus stand out from the rest.

Jewish people knew their history well. How does Matthew 1:17 tell them it is time for another big event?

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Son Number OneIn Hebrews 1:1, what was God’s strategy for

reaching out to previous generations (“the fathers”)?

Putting his words in the mouth of a man or woman of faith, He spoke to people in love, declaring His plans for them. The voice of prophets was good for those who would listen, but it was only a temporary way of reaching humans. The Lord was saving His best message for last.

In Hebrews 1:2, how has God now spoken best?

This is the purpose of the Gospels. Where else does Christ speak but in the words scratched onto parchment for all to read? Gods’ final Word is not just what the Son said, but in who He is. Hebrews 1:3 says the Son is God’s what?

Look again at the Gospel of Luke to learn more about this Man, the image of the invisible God. In Luke 3:23, what was assumed about Jesus?

Matthew’s genealogy began with Abraham and ended with a focus on Jesus the Christ. Luke’s genealogy begins with the ending. Compare the list from Matthew 1:15-16 with the list in Luke 3:23-24. Fill in the blanks:

Matthew LukeJoseph Joseph

14 OPENING WORDFather: _______ _______

Grandfather: _______ _______Great grandfather: _______ _______

2x great grandfather: _______ _______Luke and Matthew are tracing separate

branches of Joseph’s genealogy. Luther believed that Luke was actually tracing Mary’s genealogy (using “as was supposed” to indicate that). However, Julius Africanus claimed to have documentation from Jesus’ family explaining that Jacob of Matthew 1:15 could not have a child, so Heli gave his first son to carry Jacob’s name. According to Eusebius, Matthew tracked Joseph’s “adopted” ancestry while Luke recorded his birth father’s ancestry(Bock, Luke, 920).

Luke does not spend time on why the difference. Surely with all of his research, Matthew’s genealogy was not foreign to Luke. There is a different focus to this list.

Compare Luke 3:25-33 and Matthew 1:2-14. Where do the two lists of names part ways? Which ancestors did the two lines have in common?

In Matthew 1:2, with whom did the writer start the genealogy, and how does Luke 3:34 break from this style?

In Luke 3:35-38, how far does this writer take the ancestry list?

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Jesus is the Son of God. Luke proves this by tracing his genealogy all the way back to the first man, Adam. From Genesis 1:27, in what did God create this man?

An invisible God made a man that looked like Him? What is Jesus, according to Colossians 1:15?

Adam was the son of God by creation; Jesus by procreation. Adam was patterned after Christ who came many years later than his prototype.

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“I Give You My Word”Matthew has shown how an accountant would

present the gospel to his peers. Mark gets to the meat of the message in a few brief words. Luke meticulously pares down until he has the most pertinent details on this one called Christ. Then we go to the fourth Evangelist. Where Matthew, Mark, and Luke could pass for triplets all sharing a very close rendition of the story, John acts like a long-lost stepchild. John does not tell all the same stories as the other Gospels.

John does not start at the same point, either. Mark was incredibly brief with his introduction. Luke started his story with Jesus’ birth. Matthew went all the way back to Abraham in his introduction. Where does John 1:1 start?

How does that passage tie in with Genesis 1:1?

Do not make the mistake of thinking that the Christ child was an afterthought. Jesus was not an experiment that God came up with after a few thousand years. What took the world by surprise had been the plan before the first word was spoken, the first river flowed, the first star sparkled. This Word predated every other thought, plan, idea, or voice. Indeed, even the sacrificial death of Jesus, the Lamb of God, was as good as done from the very beginning (Rev. 13:8).

What does John 1:1-2 tell about this “Word”?

Proverbs 8 describes how Wisdom was with God in the beginning. Jews believed that their Law, the body of written Scriptures, was with God in the

17beginning. Some with Greek philosophical influence believed that the “Word” (from the Greek word logos) was the active agent in forming the cosmos. Many Jews referred to the Creator as “The Word” (using the Hebrew word memra). The Psalms show God doing all things by His Word (33:6; 107:20; 147:15-19). John pulls together many ways of thinking in one verse.

While this passage draws in other perspectives to consider what the writer has to say, John’s Word is attached to only one main concept: the One true God who created everything in the beginning. The best reading of John 1:2 translates it as “What God was, the Word was.”1 What does John 1:3 tell us about the Word, the Creator?

What is the Word the source of, from John 1:4?

Both aspects of the creation were necessary. Our world would not function without light. This planet would be no different than any other if there had not been life. For humans to become a new creation, we must have the light of humanity, the life only coming through God Himself.

In spite of God’s brilliance, what does John 1:5 say?

There is an unreachable aspect of this existence. Darkness is unable to penetrate or grasp light. So those who live in darkness will be without

1 Keener, John, 374.

18 OPENING WORDthe power and life God has for them. This gospel works to open eyes to that light.

Toward the end of your New Testament, we find the First Epistle of John. Look at how that little book begins. How does I John 1:1 describe the Word?

What does I John 1:2 tell us about the life and light?

Why did he write this? Answer from I John 1:3-4.

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Glory RevealedWhen Moses went up on the mountain, he

asked for a special favor—he just wanted to see God in all His glory. While God granted some of this request, ultimately Moses was denied. God hid the full strength of His identity.

God’s glory appeared in a cloud to the church in the wilderness—obscure and hidden. His presence was strong in the Tabernacle, but still covered by curtains and animal hides. Everything of God at that time was veiled—even Moses had to cover his face so that the glimpse of glory he had received would not shine too brightly on his stubborn followers.

God does not intend to keep people in darkness. What does John 1:9 say about this?

What is the sadness revealed in John 1:10-11?

This is why you must share the gospel. People do not see Jesus without help. What good is light if one cannot see? What good is life if one is dead? The light and life of God must not only be tangible, it must be presented to them.

If you will open your eyes to the truth, however, what does John 1:12 promise?

In John 1:13, how does one become a child of God?

How does John 1:13 apply to how Jesus was born?

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In John 1:14, what came of the Creator?

The beloved disciple testifies that those early followers saw His glory. Moses did not. They got to see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. All who come to Jesus by faith, realizing that He is the Creator made flesh, get to connect with more glory than Moses saw on the mountain!

The Creator became flesh in the sense that God came and “tented” with humans as a human. The phrase “dwelt among us” carries the meaning of He “tabernacle” among us. God, who had lived in the midst of His people in the wilderness Tabernacle and later in the Jerusalem Temple now became more personally connected as a member of the human race. God took up residence in a body, Jesus Christ.

Where Moses’ Law had some measure of grace and presented the truth as revealed then, Jesus is the glory of God full of grace and truth! What more does John 1:16 say?

John saw this as more than just a new faith experience or a new doctrine. The knowledge of Jesus Christ as God in flesh changed lives drastically. This connection with the Creator wholly transformed the creature—us.

What strong contrast does John 1:17 bring?

21There is no going back. The Law of the Jews does not bring light or life. The Creator made flesh is the focus now.

How does John 1:18 harken back to Moses’ experience on the mountain and contrast Christ against him?

Do you want to see God? Look no further than Jesus Christ! He is the Word made flesh. He is God with skin on. How has His light removed your darkness?

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Writing the WordConsider a creative peek into how “the beginning” might have happened:

Seated at the great desk, the Author opens the large book. It has no words. It has no words because no words exist. No words exist because no words are needed. There are no ears to hear them, no eyes to read them. The Author is alone.

And so he takes the great pen and begins to write. Like an artist gathers his colors and a woodcarver his tools, the Author assembles his words.

There are three. Three single words. Out of these three will pour a million thoughts. But on these three words, the story will suspend.

He takes his quill and spells the first. T-i-m-e.Time did not exist until he wrote it. He,

himself, is timeless, but his story would be encased in time. The story would have a first rising of the sun, a first shifting of the sand. A beginning . . . and an end. A final chapter. He knows it before he writes it.

Time. A footspan on eternity’s trail.

Slowly, tenderly, the Author writes the second word. A name. A-d-a-m.

As he writes, he sees him, the first Adam. Then he sees all the others. In a thousand eras in a thousand lands, the Author sees them. Each Adam. Each child. Instantly loved. Permanently loved. To each he assigns a time. To each he appoints a place. No accidents. No coincidences. Just design.

The Author makes a promise to these unborn: In my image, I will make you. You will be like me. You will laugh. You will create. You will never die. And you will write.

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They must. For each life is a book, not to be read, but rather a story to be written. The Author starts each life story, but each life will write his or her own ending.

What a dangerous liberty. How much safer it would have been to finish the story for each Adam. To script every option. It would have been simpler. It would have been safer. But it would not have been love. Love is only love if chosen.

So the Author decides to give each child a pen. “Write carefully,” he whispers.

Lovingly, deliberately, he writes the third word, already feeling the pain. E-m-m-a-n-u-e-l.

The greatest mind in the universe imagined time. The truest judge granted Adam a choice. But it was love that gave Emmanuel, God with us.

The Author would enter his own story.The Word would become flesh. He, too, would

be born. He, too, would be human. He, too, would have feet and hands. He, too, would have tears and trials.

And most importantly, He, too, would have a choice. Emmanuel would stand at the crossroads of life and death and make a choice.

The Author knows well the weight of that decision. He pauses as he writes the page of his own pain. He could stop. Even the Author has a choice. But how can a Creator not create? How can a Writer not write? And how can Love not love? So he chooses life, though it means death, with hope that his children will do the same.

And so the Author of Life completes the story. He drives the spike in HIs flesh and rolls the stone over His own grave. Knowing the choice He will make, knowing the choice all Adams will make, he

24 OPENING WORDpens, “The End.” Then He closes the book and proclaims the beginning.

“Let there be light!”1

1 Max Lucado, A Gentle Thunder, (Nelson, 1995), 11-13.

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Bibliography

Beasley-Murray, George R. John. 2nd ed. Word Biblical Comentary 36. Nashville: Nelson, 1999.

Bock, Darrell. Luke. Vol 1. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Academic, 1994.

________. Luke. NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1996.

Burge, Gary M. John. NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2000.

France, R. T. The Gospel of Matthew. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 2007.

Keener, Craig. The Gospel of John. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 2003.

________. The Gospel of Matthew: A Social-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 2009.

Lucado, Max. A Gentle Thunder. Nelson, 1995.Norris, David. I AM: a Oneness Pentecostal

Theology. WAP Academic, 2009.

26 OPENING WORDWilkins, Michael J. Matthew. NIV Application

Commentary. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2004.

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JournalJohn 1:1, 14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory,

glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

© 2016 Daniel J. Koren15512 Kodiak Road, Neosho, MO 64850

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