Matt 4:12–17 12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfil what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”     One thought: Light is life   ...

Matt 4:8–11 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.     One thought: Matthew 4, along with Genesis 3 reminds us that Satan is ultimately a liar – we should question his words instead of God’s.     Three questions: What can’t Satan offer that God can?   Do you long for the ...

Matthew 4:5–7   5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”   One thought: Satan or his people (often in the form of false teachers) are willing and able to twist God’s word out of context.     Three questions: How is Satan misusing the ...

Matthew 4:1–4   4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”   One thought: The Spirit led Jesus to a place of testing, we should expect the same.     Three questions: What does this episode remind you of in the Old Testament?   How might you be being tested?   Schedule a day of ...

Matt 3:15–17   15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”   One thought: Christ is everything that humanity (Adam) and Israel was meant to be   Three questions: What does it mean that Jesus is God’s son (consider Psalm 2)?   Do you long to please God?   How ...

Matt 3:13–14 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”     One thought: Humility is beautiful     Three questions: Why do you think Jesus goes to John to be baptised?   Are you drawn to Jesus’ humility?   What does it look like for you to grow in humility?   Prayer: Praise the Father that He sent the Son to save proud sinners. Give thanks that through Christ and His Spirit, our hard hearts and stiff-knecks have been softened to humble ourself before God’s work in Christ. Ask God to help ...

Matt 3:10–12 10 The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”   One thought: Jesus is the axe who comes to divide between wheat and chaff   Three questions: What does it mean that ...

Matt 3:7–9 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.     One thought: We are either sons of Abraham by faith or sons of Satan by unbelief     Three questions: What were the Pharisee’s putting their hope in?   Do you feel entitled to God’s grace?   For a better understanding of the passage, ...

Matt 3:4–6 4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.     One thought: Across history, people have been drawn to the faithful preaching of the kingdom.     Three questions: Why do people feel a need to confess their sins do you think?   Do you feel sinful?   Confess a sin to a brother or sister this week   Prayer: Praise God that He is holy and righteous and without sin. ...

Matthew 3:1–3 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”     One thought: The most sensible response to the gospel is to repent     Three questions: What does it mean to repent?   Have you repented of your sins?   Spend some time reflecting on repentance today   Prayer: Praise God that He brings His kingdom and by His grace allows us to join it. Give thanks that He has ...