Comments on: Gospel Challenge: Matthew 1-4 http://www.zonegathering.com/2008/03/06/gospel-challenge-matthew-1-4/ The Online Community for the Leaders of National Community Church Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:41:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Sharon http://www.zonegathering.com/2008/03/06/gospel-challenge-matthew-1-4/#comment-24530 Sharon Thu, 06 Mar 2008 18:06:40 +0000 http://www.zonegathering.com/2008/03/06/gospel-challenge-matthew-1-4/#comment-24530 I too was struck by the women in the genealogy. It struck me that in the direct lineage of Christ was Rahab- a prostitute, Ruth- a loyal widow, Bathsheba (Uriah’s wife)- a queen because of adultery and murder, and Mary-- the Virgin. Each of these women, regardless of their faults, sins, heritage, or circumstances came to a place of making a choice. A tough choice of obedience to God that would affect generations to come, even to today. Few would have faulted them had their choices been different, more human if you would. They have become great examples that “True Worship=Obedience.” They made a choice to walk a tough road of obedience for God’s glory. Rahab could have refused to risk her life to help the spies or been worried that her sins were too great and that she could not be worthy of helping. Instead she hides the spies, instructs them how to remain alive and escape, and goes on to request mercy for herself and her entire family. Ruth could have returned to the land of her family and found another husband in the custom of the time (as her sister-in-law did). Instead she was faithful and loyal to her mother-in-law opening the door to the blessing of Boaz. Bathsheba could have spent her life wallowing in the guilt of her sin or the grief of her dead son. Instead when King David is allowing his son Adonijah to “claim” the throne, Bathsheba, following the voice of the prophet Nathan, goes to her husband to remind him of the promise he has made to her in the name of the Lord, that Solomon is to be king. Mary, the devoted virgin, could have told the angel, no, I am afraid. Instead she said, “may it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38b) Each of these women was listed in the opening chapter of Matthew to speak something to us….What a powerful message that obedience is universal and has manifestation beyond our comprehension. Could any of these women know how God would use their stories to affect the world? and that their legacy would include being in the lineage of Christ? I too was struck by the women in the genealogy. It struck me that in the direct lineage of Christ was Rahab- a prostitute, Ruth- a loyal widow, Bathsheba (Uriah’s wife)- a queen because of adultery and murder, and Mary– the Virgin. Each of these women, regardless of their faults, sins, heritage, or circumstances came to a place of making a choice. A tough choice of obedience to God that would affect generations to come, even to today. Few would have faulted them had their choices been different, more human if you would. They have become great examples that “True Worship=Obedience.” They made a choice to walk a tough road of obedience for God’s glory.
Rahab could have refused to risk her life to help the spies or been worried that her sins were too great and that she could not be worthy of helping. Instead she hides the spies, instructs them how to remain alive and escape, and goes on to request mercy for herself and her entire family.
Ruth could have returned to the land of her family and found another husband in the custom of the time (as her sister-in-law did). Instead she was faithful and loyal to her mother-in-law opening the door to the blessing of Boaz.
Bathsheba could have spent her life wallowing in the guilt of her sin or the grief of her dead son. Instead when King David is allowing his son Adonijah to “claim” the throne, Bathsheba, following the voice of the prophet Nathan, goes to her husband to remind him of the promise he has made to her in the name of the Lord, that Solomon is to be king.
Mary, the devoted virgin, could have told the angel, no, I am afraid. Instead she said, “may it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38b)
Each of these women was listed in the opening chapter of Matthew to speak something to us….What a powerful message that obedience is universal and has manifestation beyond our comprehension. Could any of these women know how God would use their stories to affect the world? and that their legacy would include being in the lineage of Christ?

]]> By: Pat http://www.zonegathering.com/2008/03/06/gospel-challenge-matthew-1-4/#comment-24521 Pat Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:10:11 +0000 http://www.zonegathering.com/2008/03/06/gospel-challenge-matthew-1-4/#comment-24521 I think the thing that made the most impact on me was when Jesus was baptized and the Father affirmed him by saying, "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased," even before Jesus did anything. This helps me to know and to believe that God loves me, not because of what I do, but just because he loves me. I think the thing that made the most impact on me was when Jesus was baptized and the Father affirmed him by saying, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased,” even before Jesus did anything. This helps me to know and to believe that God loves me, not because of what I do, but just because he loves me.

]]> By: Sarah http://www.zonegathering.com/2008/03/06/gospel-challenge-matthew-1-4/#comment-24518 Sarah Thu, 06 Mar 2008 14:56:45 +0000 http://www.zonegathering.com/2008/03/06/gospel-challenge-matthew-1-4/#comment-24518 This is a great idea, Heather! I think what impacted me most in yesterday's reading was the story of Jesus' temptation in the desert (Matt. 4). I was struck by the fact that Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit for the sole purpose of being tempted! Our God is so good and knows our needs so well - He knew that we infallible givers-in-to-temptation would need to see that our Savior was tempted and yet remained blameless, so His Spirit led Jesus into that situation - for our sake. The writer of Hebrews captures it beautifully: "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted" (Heb. 2:18). Again, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin" (Heb. 4:15). I know that many NCCers are in a period of fasting right now, and temptation seems to come around more often during those times, does it not? I guess we shouldn't be surprised - Jesus was fasting when Satan tempted Him. Oh, that we may respond to temptation like Jesus did, by calling upon God's promises and being strengthened through His Spirit. This is a great idea, Heather! I think what impacted me most in yesterday’s reading was the story of Jesus’ temptation in the desert (Matt. 4). I was struck by the fact that Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit for the sole purpose of being tempted! Our God is so good and knows our needs so well - He knew that we infallible givers-in-to-temptation would need to see that our Savior was tempted and yet remained blameless, so His Spirit led Jesus into that situation - for our sake. The writer of Hebrews captures it beautifully: “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Heb. 2:18). Again, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin” (Heb. 4:15).

I know that many NCCers are in a period of fasting right now, and temptation seems to come around more often during those times, does it not? I guess we shouldn’t be surprised - Jesus was fasting when Satan tempted Him. Oh, that we may respond to temptation like Jesus did, by calling upon God’s promises and being strengthened through His Spirit.

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