Bathsheba, A Lamb in the Lineage

Once we dispense with the popular but false paradigm so often preached, and reexamine Bathsheba’s story from God’s perspective (rather than man’s) as written in the scriptures, a very different story emerges.

Advent: A Marriage in Jeopardy

Only Matthew's Gospel captures something of Joseph's heartache when he received the news concerning Mary's unexpected pregnancy.

Advent Meditation: Alpha and Omega

Through her the protevangelium had been fulfilled this night, the first gospel oracle, spoken in God’s own voice, “the seed of the woman” who would one day have victory over evil itself.

Isaiah 4: The Beautiful Branch

The Branch has come in fulfillment of many prophecies, and He has given us His promise to return.

Second Day of Advent: Bathsheba

I wonder if Matthew, ex-tax collector and publican that he was, identified with these women and men at some level. Through this record God is displaying God’s grace to all people, victims and perpetrators. Even in this genealogy Matthew was already giving us a clue there is something unique and earth-shaking about Jesus. 

First Sunday of Advent: Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth

If Matthew had ransacked the entire Hebrew scriptures he would have been hard-pressed to find four more unlikely candidates for the Messiah’s genealogy!

Minor Prophets: Haggai, Zerubbabel and the Signet Ring

Though this is the shortest of Haggai’s oracles, it is surprisingly dense! In it God redeems Zerubbabel's family baggage.