Bible Reading - Matthew Ch 4

This chapter shows the importance of patience and deep trust in God. We will be tempted by the devil in deceptive ways to go against God and to act in a manner displeasing to him. The only way to overcome that is by prayer and strong prayer.

Chp 4 talks about the temptation of Christ by the devil. But all this was facilitated by the Spirit to bring the will of God to the light of people.
When Jesus had fasted and prayed for forty days and nights, the devil led by the Spirit ,came to tempt him.

Three temptations

First temptation was as such - Devil tells him to change the stones to bread and to prove that he is Gods son.
But Jesus counters that and says that man should not live on bread alone but also needs every word of God.

Second temptation .Devil tells him to jump from the highest point of the temple in Jerusalem.
Jesus tells him that one should not test the God by doing deliberate things.

Third temptation. Devil tells him that all the kingdoms will be his if he worships him.
Jesus tells him to go away by saying that only one God is to be worshipped and that is his father.

Thus we see how Jesus stands firm on his ground of not only true worship,but also a  sincere one. Just because we pray doesnt mean that we test God to help us in stupid situations which we,mostly,create for ourselves.

Work in Galilee

Jesus begins his work in Galilee,specifically a territory called Zebulun and Napthali. This was done to bring true the prophecy of Isaiah .
' Land of Zebulun and Napthali, on the road to the sea on the other side of Jordan, Galilee land of Gentiles.
The people who live in darkness will see a great light.
On those who live in the dark land of death,the light will shine.'

According to Matthew this was the first recorded incident of Jesus' work in the world where his greatness is proclaimed.

First disciples

Jesus calls two fishermen who were brothers, Simon and Andrew and tells them to follow him. 'I will teach you to catch men.' Jesus wanted to start his work of preaching and he needed help . He also called two more, James and John. These were his first disciples.

Bible Reading - New Testament - Matthew Ch 3

John the Baptist was an important figure in the New Testament. Not only does he introduces Jesus to us,but its through him we understand that humility is an important virtue in human life and one must always put others first and not self.

Chapter 3 is an introduction to both John and to Jesus as a young person.

John preaches in the desert to the people and tells them to turn away from their sins. This is according to the prophecy of Isaiah -
' someone is shouting in the desert. Prepare a road for the Lord, make a straight path for him to travel.'
Obviously this was a hint by Isaiah that Jesus is coming and we need to clear the way for him.

John was a man of simple means. His clothes were of camel hair and food was locusts and wild honey. He preached and baptized all the people in Judea, Jerusalem and the country near river Jordan.

Many chief priests also came along. John shouts at them and says that by proclaiming Abraham to be their father they will not be forgiven by God. Every tree that doesnt bear good fruit will be cut down. He wants people to grow and flourish without sins. He says that he will baptize by only water but Jesus will baptize them with Holy Spirit and fire.
Here he also adds humbly that Jesus is grater than him and he is unfit to even carry his sandals.

When Jesus comes to him ,he wants to be baptised by John. But John surprised and taken back says that it ought to be the other way around. But Jesus says this is God's will.
thus when Jesus is baptised and he comes out of the  water , the Spirit comes like a dove on him and a voice from heaven says 'This is my son with whom I am pleased'

Thus we learn that obedience and humility are important virtues for us to live a happy life and to be saved from God's wrath. 

Bible Reading - New Testament Matthew Ch 2

Chapter 2 talks about the birth of Jesus in detail and their escape from Bethlehem to their final town of settlement, Nazareth. We have to understand all this was according to God's plan. God doesnt punish anyone without reason. There is always a lesson. At the end we will understand it wasnt a punishment to begin with.

According to the prophet, ' Bethlehem in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least of the cities of Judah. for from you will come a leader who will guide my children Israel '

Thus Herod knew that Jesus was the Messiah and he was afraid. He plotted with the chief priests to find this child out. He called the men who studied stars to follow that one star and to tell him of the whereabouts of the Messiah.

But God had warned them in a dream to not go back to Herod. So once they followed the star, they reached the place where baby Jesus was. They gifted him their gifts of gold, frankincense . They worshipped him as was fit for a king. Afterwards they returned to their land by another road.

Herod came to know how the visitors had cheated him and he was angry. Knowing this beforehand God ,through his angel, guided Joseph in a dream to escape to Egypt. Again this was so that the prophecy come true.

Herod in his anger and his desperation ordered all the male children, newborn to be killed. Prophet Jeremiah had prophesied this.

Joseph with his family stayed in Egypt till Herod died. Then the angel guided him to go back to Egypt. But Archaelaus ,son of Herod had succeeded him. So Joseph did not want to risk going there again. So he went to Galilee and settled in Nazareth.
Thus once again what the prophets said came true ' He will be called a Nazarene.'

Bible Reading Old and New Testament Psalms 1 Mathew 1

I had started the continuous Bible reading a couple of months ago but due to laziness and a vacation I lost track. I began today and  decided to start Psalms and Mathew. I will write a brief about what I read and I may put in my thoughts on it.

Psalms 1

True happiness

Happy are those who reject the company of evil men,their advice and their examples.
They obey the Lord and enjoy it. They study it daily. They flourish like trees beside a stream and give fruit. They do not dry up like leaves. They succeed in everything they do.
Evil men are like straw easily blown away.
Righteous men will be guided and protected by the Lord.
Both will be separated from each other by the Lord.

Mathew

I read Matthew Chapter 1 verses 18 onwards.

It talks about the Birth of Jesus.

Mary and Joseph were engaged .but she came to know by the Holy Spirit that the Lord had blessed her to be pregnant. Joseph was an honest ,upright person but was scared of social disgrace. So he decided to break the engagement privately.

The Lord,Almighty and ever observing,through his angel changed his mind. The angel said ' Joesph,Mary is blessed with a child and is conceived by the Holy Spirit. He will be named Jesus. He will save the people from sins.'

Thus God, at the very beginning, explains his plans to Joseph. God knew that his son was born to love ,to rule , to serve and to die for others. He died for our redemption.

All this was prohesised and thus had to come true. He said ' A virgin will be pregnant and have a son to be called Immanuel (God is with us)'.