WIXLIB

13Signal was the grace of God in this case, that the line should be continuedin this once guilty pair; but, oh, what kinship with fallen humanity doesthis indicate in our Lord! We will not pry into the mystery of theincarnation, but we must wonder at the condescending grace whichappointed our Lord such a pedigree.10. And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; andAmon begat Josias.A line of kings of a mixed character; not one of them perfect, and some ofthem as bad as bad could be. Three are left out altogether: even sinnerswho were only fit to be forgotten were in the line of this succession; andthis shows how little can be made of being born of the will of man, or ofthe will of the flesh. In this special line of descent, salvation was not ofblood, nor of birth. Specially let us think of such a one as Manasses beingamong the ancestors of our Lord, as if to hint that, in the line which comesafter him, there would be some of the chief of sinners who would bemiracles of mercy. Again we say, how near does Jesus come to our fallenrace by this his genealogy!11. And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the timethey were carried away to Babylon.Poor captives, and those who are bound with the fetters of sin, may seesome like themselves in this famous ancestry. They are prisoners of hope,now that the Christ is born of a race which was once “carried away toBabylon.”12-16. And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begatSalathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; and Zorobabel begatAbiud; and Ablud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; andAzor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begatEliud; and Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; andMatthan begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Joseph the husband ofMary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.With one or two exceptions these are names of persons of little or no note.

14The later ones were persons altogether obscure and insignificant. Our Lordwas “a root out of dry ground”; a shoot from the withered stem of Jesse.He set small store by earthly greatness. He must needs be of human race;but he comes to a family which was of low estate, and there finds hisreputed father, Joseph, a carpenter of Nazareth. He is the poor man’sKing. He will not disdain any of us though our father’s house be little inIsrael. He will condescend to men of low estate.Wonder surpassing all wonders; the Word by whom all things were made,was himself made flesh, and dwelt among us! He was born of a humanmother, even of the lowly virgin, Mary. “Forasmuch then as the childrenare partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of thesame.” Our hearts would anoint with sweet perfume of love and praise theblessed head of him “who is called Christ”, the Anointed One.17. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteengenerations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylonare fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylonunto Christ are fourteen generations.The Holy Ghost led his servant Matthew to adopt a rough and simplemethod to help weak memories. Here are three fourteens. Let us learnfrom this to make ourselves familiar with our Lord’s pedigree, and thinkmuch of his being born into the world. Specially let us see that he wasliterally of the house of David, and the seed of Abraham; for manyprophecies in the Old Testament pointed to this fact. He is truly theMessiah, the Prince, which was to come.

15CHAPTER 1:18-25THE BIRTH OF THE KING18. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as hismother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, shewas found with child of the Holy Ghost.A word or two sufficed to describe the birth of all the kings whose nameswe have read; but for our Lord Jesus Christ there is much more to be said.The evangelist girds himself up for his solemn duty, and writes: — “Nowthe birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise.” It is a deep, mysterious,and delicate subject, fitter for reverent faith than for speculative curiosity.The Holy (host wrought in the chosen virgin the body of our Lord. Therewas no other way of his being born; for had he been of a sinful father, howshould he have possessed a sinless nature? He is born of a woman, that hemight be human; but not by man, that he might not be sinful. See how theHoly Ghost co-operates in the work of our redemption by preparing thebody of our Lord!19. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willingto make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.Mary was espoused to him, and he was saddened and perplexed when helearned that she would become a mother before they had been actuallymarried. Many would have thrust her away in indignation, and put her toan open shame; but Joseph was of royal mind as well as royal race. Hewould not expose what he thought to be the sin of his espoused wife:although he felt that she must be put away, he would do it quietly. Whenwe have to do a severe thing, let us choose the tenderest manner. May be,we shall not have to do it at all.

1620. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of theLord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son ofDavid, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which isconceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.He could not but feel very anxious, and no doubt he prayed about thesethings both day and night. God would not leave the honor of the chosenvirgin-mother without protection. Soon Joseph had the best of guidance.From heaven he had the assurance that Mary had not sinned, but had beenfavored of the Lord. Joseph is reminded of his royal rank, “thou son ofDavid”, and is bidden to cast away his fear. How he must have beencomforted by the Lord’s “fear not”! He was to take Mary under histender care, and be a foster-father to the son who would be born of her.Mary must have been in great anxiety herself as to whether her story ofangelic visitation would be believed; for it looked improbable enough. Wedoubt not that faith sustained her; but she needed much of it. Every greatfavor brings a great trial with it as its shadow, and becomes thus a new testof faith. The Lord very graciously removed all suspicion from Joseph’smind, and thus provided for the honor of the mother, and for the comfortof the holy child. If Jesus is born in our hearts, we shall have trouble; butthe Lord will witness that Christ is ours, and he will surely bear usthrough.21. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his nameJESUS : for he shall save his people from their sins.The Lord of glory is born the Son of man, and is named by God’scommand, and by man’s mouth, JESUS the Savior. He is what he is called.HE saves us from the punishment and the guilt of sin, -and then from theill effect and evil power of sin. This he does for “his people”, even for allwho believe in him. It is his nature to do this, as we see in the fact that hisvery name is JESUS — Savior. We still call him by that name, for he stillsaves us in these latter days. Let us go and tell out his name among men;for he will save others.

1722, 23. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which wasspoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall bewith child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call hisname EMMANUEL , which being interpreted, God with us.Who would have thought that the prophecy contained in Isaiah 7:14 couldhave referred to our Lord? One of these days we shall discover a great dealmore in the inspired Word than we can see today. Perhaps it is needful toour understanding a prophecy that we should see it actually fulfilled. Whatblind eyes we have!It is pleasant to mark that, according to this verse, and the twenty-first,EMMANUEL and JESUS mean the same thing. “God with us” is ourSavior. He is with us as God on purpose to save us. The incarnation ofJesus is our salvation.To cheer Joseph, and decide his mind, Holy Scripture is brought to hisremembrance; and truly, when are in a dilemma, nothing gives us suchconfidence in going forward as the sacred oracles impressed upon theheart. How conversant was Joseph with the prophets to have their wordsbefore him in a dream! Lord, whether I read thy Word when awake, orhave it brought to my memory in my sleep, it is always precious to me!But thou, Lord Jesus, God with us, art dearer still; and the written Word ischiefly precious because it speaks of thee, the incarnate Word.24, 25. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel ofthe Lord had bidden him, and took onto him a wife: and knewher not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he calledhis name JESUS .Joseph was not disobedient to the heavenly vision in an, respect. He didnot delay, but as soon as he rose he “did as the angel of the Lord hadbidden him.” Without delay, demur, or reservation, he obeyed. What holyawe filled his heart as he welcomed the favored virgin to his home, to berespectfully and affectionately screened from all evil! What must he havethought when he saw the Son of the Highest lying on the bosom of herwhom he had espoused! He was happy to render any service to the

18newborn King. Since he accepted Mary as his espoused wife, her childwas the heir of Joseph, and so of David; and thus was by right the King ofthe Jews. Our Lord Jesus had a birthright by his mother; but his right onthe father’s side was, by Joseph’s act and deed, also put beyond dispute.Let us leave this wonderful passage worshipping the Son of God, whocondescended to be born the Son of man. Thus our God became ourbrother, bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh. The nearer he comes tous, the more humbly let us adore him. The more true the kinship of ourKing, the more enthusiastically let us crown him Lord of all!

19CHAPTER 2THE KING APPEARING AND THE KING ASSAILED1. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the daysof Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east toJerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? forwe have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.The King is born, and now he must be acknowledged. At the same momenthe will be assailed. His birth was in the days of another king, of Edomitestock, who had usurped the throne of David. The world’s kingdom isopposed to that of our Lord: where Jesus is born there is sure to be aHerod in power. It is a marvelous thing that Magi from afar should knowthat a great king was born, and should come from so great a distance to dohim homage; for the world’s wise men are not often found bowing at thefeet of Jesus. When wise men seek our King they are wise indeed. Thesewere devout men, to whom the stars spoke of God. An unusual luminarywas understood by them to indicate the birth of the Coming Man forwhom many in all lands were looking. Stars might guide us if we werewilling to be led. Lord Jesus, make everything speak to me concerningthee, and may I be truly led till I find thee!The wise men were not content with having “seen his star”, they mustsee himself; and, seeing, they must adore. These were not in doubt as tohis Godhead: they said, “We are come to worship him.” Lord, I praythee, make all the wise men to worship thee!3. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled,and all Jerusalem with him.Herod is expressly called “Herod the king”: in that capacity he is theenemy of our King. They are in a sad state to whom the Savior is atrouble. Some, like Herod, are troubled because they fear that they shall

20lose position and honor if true religion makes progress, and many have anundefined dread that the presence of Jesus will deprive them of pleasure,or call them to make unwilling sacrifices. O thou who art the King ofheaven, thou cost not trouble me: thou art my joy!See the influence of one man: Herod’s trouble infects “all Jerusalem.”Well it might; for this cruel prince delighted in shedding blood, and thedarkness of his brow meant death to many. Unhappy Jerusalem, to betroubled by the birth of the Savior! Unhappy people, to whom truegodliness is a weariness!4. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes ofthe people together, he demanded of them where Christ should beborn.When the earth-king dabbles in theology, it bodes no good to truth Herodamong priests and scribes in Herod still. Some men may, become wellinstructed in their Bibles, and yet be all the worse for what they havediscovered. Like Herod, they make ill use of what they learn; or like thesescribes, they may know much about the Lord Jesus, and yet have no hearttowards him.5, 6. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus itis written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land ofJuda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of theeshall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.They were right in their conclusion, though somewhat cloudy in theirquotation. Jesus was to be born in the city of David, in Bethlehem,which is, being interpreted, “the house of bread.” Though the city was buta little one, his birth therein made it famous: Jesus ennobles all that hetouches. These scribes knew where to find the text about the Savior’sbirth, and they could put their finger upon the spot in the map where heshould be born; and yet they knew not the King, neither cared to seek himout. May it never be my case, to be a master of Scriptural geography,prophecy, and theology, and yet to miss HIM of whom the Scripturespeaks!

21With joy would we note the name of Governor, here given to Jesus. Weare of the spiritual Israel if he rules us. Oh, that the day may soon comewhen the literal Israel shall behold the government laid upon his shoulder!7. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquiredof them diligently what time the star appeared.We delight in anxious inquirers; but here was one of a very evil sort.Many pry into holy things, that they may ridicule or otherwise opposethem. What an evil diligence is this! When very private inquiries are made,we may suspect that something is wrong; and yet it is not always so.However, truth fears not the light. Whether men inquire privily or not, weare ready to give them information about our Lord, and about everythingwhich concerns him.8. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and searchdiligently for the young child; and when ye have found him,bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.Artful wretch! Murder was in his heart, but pious pretenses were on histongue. May none of us be Herodians in hypocrisy! To promise toworship and to intend to destroy, is a piece of trickery very usual in ourown days.Mark, that the wise men never promised to return to Herod: theyprobably guessed that all this eager zeal was not quite so pure as it seemedto be, and their silence did not mean consent. We must not believeeverybody who makes loud professions, nor do all that they ask of us, lestwe aid them in some evil design.9, 10. When they had heard the king they departed; and, lo, thestar, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came andstood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, theyrejoiced with exceeding great joy.Yes, “they departed”, and were wise to get out of Herod’s vile

22company. They made no compact with him; they heard his falseprofessions, and they went their way. The star appeared when the tyrantdisappeared.The star was probably a meteor, or moving light, which having shone longenough in the western heavens to guide them to Judea, then ceased to bevisible; but shone forth again as they quitted Jerusalem. We must notalways expect to have visible signs to cheer us, but we are very glad ofthem when the Lord grants them to us. We seek not the star of inwardfeelings, or outward signs, but Jesus himself; yet have we great joy whenheavenly they comfort shines into our souls. Lord, show me a token forgood: this will make me glad. Show me thyself, and I will rejoice withexceeding great joy.See how the stars above as well as men below pay their obeisances to theNew-born King!! My soul, be not slow to adore thy Savior! The starmoved “till it came and stood over where the young child was”: sowill my heart never rest till it finds out the Lord.11. And when they were come into the house, they saw the youngchild with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him:and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto himgifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.Those who look for Jesus will see him: those who truly see him willworship him: those who worship him will consecrate their substance tohim. The gold and spices were presented, not to Mary, but “unto him.”The wise men kept their caskets closed till they saw Jesus, and then theyopened their treasures. Let us keep our love and our holy service for ourLord’s eye, and never wish to expose them to the world’s gaze. The wisemen’s gifts were royal, with a touch of the priestly in them — “gold,and frankincense, and myrrh.” These choice offerings especially thegold, would help Joseph and Mary to provide for the Royal Child, whowas so soon to be exiled. God brought providers from the far East tosupply the needs of his Son. “Remember that Omnipotence has servantseverywhere.” Before the babe starts for Egypt, Oriental sages must payhis charges.

23Lord, thou shalt have my worship, and my gifts; for thou art the soleMonarch of my soul: and I will aid thy missionary cause, that when thougoest into Africa with thy gospel, my gifts may go with thee.12. And being warned of God in a dream that they should notreturn to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.Probably, they half suspected Herod already; and the Lord by a dream ledtheir thoughts further in the same direction. Wise men need to be “warnedof God”; when they are so, they alter their minds at once. Though theyhad planned to return by one route, they took another: they did not linger,but “departed into their own country another way.” Oh, that I maynever be disobedient to a hint from the throne! “Thou shalt guide me withthy counsel.”13. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the lordappeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the youngchild and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there untilI bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroyhim.Angels were busy in those days, for they had special charge of their RoyalMaster. Joseph’s high office, as guardian of the young child and hismother, involved him in care, and made him an exile from his countr

6 chapter 8:19-22 our king discerning his true followers chapter 8:23-27 our king ruling the sea chapter 8:28-34 the king driving legions before him. chapter 9:1-8 the king continues to display his royal power chapter 9:9-13 the grace of the kingdom chapter 9:14-17 the joy of the kingdom chapter 9:18-26 the king’s dominion