Reactions to Jesus' Birth

Dennis McCallum

Matthew 2:1-23

After Jesus' birth, there are three different types of responses towards what God has done. The first comes from King Herod, who was very cynical and, determined to keep his power, tried to destroy Jesus. The scribes and priests were very apathetic to Jesus' birth. Lastly, the wise men were spiritually interested and wanted to know about Jesus. The attitude of the wise man is the reaction God desires from all people, so they can find the truth and place their faith in Jesus Christ for forgiveness. Parallels between Pharoah during Moses' time and Herod when Jesus was born are also explored.

The King Is Born

Scott Risley

Isaiah 12:6

Did the virgin birth actually happen? And why is it important? Not only is Jesus' birth unique but it fulfills predictions made hundreds of years before. A word study of alma and parthenos is included along with a comparison with other religions.

God's Intrusion into Human History

Dennis McCallum

Philippians 2:4-8

Jesus' birth was a miraculous event that God orchestrated by having him conceived through the virgin Mary. Mary's attitude towards God's plan is one of willingness and personal trust. Jesus' birth was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. Jesus' entrance into the world as God incarnate begins with him in a manger, essentially a feeding trough where he is rejected and excluded. This would be the first instance of many as Jesus' life was a portrayal of humanity's rejection of God. Despite all the suffering, rejection and pain, Jesus' birth signifies God's desire to have people come to know Him personally through the cross.

Jesus: Authenticated and Unique

Dennis McCallum

Luke 3:23-38

The gospel of Matthew, written by Matthew the tax collector, begins by examining the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Beginning with Abraham, the genealogies mentioned go through Abraham's descendants to the tribe of Judah, leading to the line of David. The genealogies seem to not line up with Jesus coming from David because of the line of Jeconiah, but after careful examination, it's clear that Jesus came from the line of Heli, Mary's father. An understanding of Jewish law denotes that Jesus would inherit what came from his adoptive father, Joseph, thus settling the apparent contradiction in genealogies. Through the genealogies, we see Jesus as a predicted son of Abraham, Jacob, David and even adopted into the inheritance, fulfilling many Old Testament prophecies concerning him. This genealogy points out God's control and sovereignty over human history to enact His marvelous plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.

The Unfinished Business of History

Jim Leffel

Daniel 11:1-12:13

All throughout Daniel's visions of kingdoms, there are hints of a kingdom distinct from but related to Rome, that has not come yet. This final kingdom is connected with Rome because Rome has come to be an ultimate symbol of human corruption. It is also connected with Antiochus Epiphanes because it will have an evil ruler who claims divinity, commits unparalleled violence, and coincides with a time of great tribulation. After this 7 year period of tribulation, Jesus will return to set things right.

The Seventy Sevens Prophecy

Jim Leffel

Daniel 9:24-27

The main theme of Daniel's prophecies is that God is not aloof, but is aware and at work in human history. In the seventy sevens prophecy, God declares the year that Jesus will die hundreds of years in advance. God has given objective evidence in history where He has laid out His plan and purpose. Each person then has a decision to make concerning their personal belief in Jesus.

The Flow of History (Part 2)

Jim Leffel

Revelation 5:5-9

Many of Daniel's prophecies refer to God's kingdom, promised to the throne of David to be a blessing to all the nations. The ruler of this kingdom is called the "Son of Man," said to be more than an ordinary man, a king and priest who is paradoxically killed. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of these prophecies and, as Daniel said, he will return to rule. God has etched His purpose and character into history so that we might respond to His call to the freedom of His kingdom.

The Flow of History (Part 1)

Jim Leffel

Daniel 8:20-22

Predictive prophecy is God's revelation of His plan for history. This is important for us because God wants us to know what He is doing and has done so that it can be an objective foundation for faith. Biblical prophecy should be interpreted in light of its self-interpretation, its context in the Bible, and by known history. The visions that Daniel receives correspond to a succession of kingdoms in history, and indicate the end of history: that justice and grace will triumph, and that the Son of Man will rule.

A Dream of Future Kingdoms

Jim Leffel

Daniel 2:1-47

Daniel's interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream gives a framework for specific, verifiable visions from God. Through this interpretation, God revealed a succession of human kingdoms from Babylon, Persia, Greece, and finally to Rome and man's final kingdom. This illustrates the difference between human kingdoms, whose fortune is volatile, and God's kingdom that endures forever. The purpose of prophecy in the Bible is to allow for an informed faith and to provide reason to believe what God says in every area.