Sermon Reference: Matthew 5:17-22
Jesus opens his famous Sermon on the Mount with a perplexing statement refuting a rumor that he had come to discard God’s law. Instead, he said he came to “fulfill” the law. What he meant by that is the key to understand the nature of Jesus’ whole mission, loving the law.
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Scripture Reference: Matthew 4:1-11
If a hero is going to bring rescue, then he must face down and defeat that which is bringing danger. The ancient and dangerous villain of this world is known as Satan, or the devil. in Matthew 4, Jesus confronts his and our arch enemy by taking upon himself the devil’s assault of temptation. In this confrontation, we learn the tools of our enemy, but also where victory is to be found.
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Scripture Reference: Matthew 3:1-17
Everyone undergoes some sort of preparation before meeting a person of significance. What might it look like to be prepared to meet the hero and savior of the world? John the Baptist is out in the desert for this very reason, preparing his listeners to encounter Jesus. Disruptive words like confession, repentance, and baptism are emphasized. These words might seem off putting, until you realize the hero is coming to identify with and save the REAL YOU by sheer grace.
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Scripture Reference: Matthew 2:13-23
Joseph and Mary find themselves in the center of God’s will for their lives…and they’re suffering horribly. But Matthew sees beneath the surface of their struggles to the undercurrents of fulfillment that Jesus is going to bring, becoming the True and Better Israel for his people.
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Scripture Reference: Matthew 1:1-6, 16-25
Every hero has an origin story! Matthew introduces us to this long anticipated hero by way of a genealogy and then a supernatural beginning involving a virgin pregnancy. These two avenues of introduction set the table for the kind of hero Jesus will be. He is going to be a hero that identifies with the broken and sinners and will save and heal everything that is wrong with the world.
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