- Though Luke only includes men in the genealogy of Jesus, Matthew includes five women (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Uriah’s wife, and Mary).  Interesting.

- 14 generations from Abraham to David, 14 generations from David to the exile, 14 generations from the Babylonian exile to Jesus.  42 generations from Abraham to Jesus.  “Generations” denotes descent but possibly not our modern-day equivalent to how we understand generations.  Some textual variants.

- Joseph must have been hurt when Mary became pregnant.  Thoughts of unfaithfulness and betrayal.  Yet, he still loved her enough to want to save her life by ending their betrothal (very formal engagement) quietly without the punishment of death for adultery.  I wish more was written about Joseph.

- The Magi were the first Gentiles to believe in Jesus.  The revolution started there.

- Where’s the three kings?  Oh yeah, our theology shouldn’t be derived from Christmas songs from the mid-1800′s.

- Matthew 2:16 is one of the most tyrannical verses of all the Bible in my opinion.  Can you imagine what it would look like if a major world leader would order all boys under 2-years old to be killed?

- “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” – John the Baptist

- I love John the Baptist’s love for those not apart of the religious systems of that day in vs. 7-10.  I can’t help but read the Baptizer’s words with passion.  They seem to just run off the page with vigor and excitement about the coming Messiah.

- 2 kinds of baptism; one by John the Baptist done by water (to cleanse and purify) and one done by Jesus by the Holy Spirit and fire (in the OT, fire ‘esh is often associated with the presence of God).  Interesting parallels.  In John 3:5, it says that baptism by water and the Spirit was necessary for one to enter into the Kingdom of God.

- “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” – Jesus

- The picture of Jesus in 4:23-25 is incredible.  It’s no wonder that crowds followed him.

- For me, some of the most beautiful words every written start with “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…”  I wonder, some time later when Matthew (Jesus’ student), was writing these words down if he fully understood the profundity of it all.  I’d like to believe that he did.

- More thoughts on the Beatitudes at another time.