I really don't know who's going to be reading this (I'd be surprised if it's anybody at all), but I am actually pretty elated about this. I've been wanting to do something very similar for a very long time because I think it's an awesome way to use the technology we have today, but I really haven't had the courage do go with it. I have shared this with a couple of people outside of Cornerstone, so I wanted to start a brand new book. Struggling to choose what to start with (being the Asian I am), I chose to just go with the first book of the New Testament: Matthew. Without further ado, my entry:
This seems like a very short reading for a day, but I didn't want to overdo it from the get-go. For those of you who are doing this, I suggest the same approach because I've found myself overdoing it a lot at times and burning out a few weeks after. Start small, and if you think you can do more, then add more accordingly.
Anyways the first chapter is very straightforward. It goes through the lineage from Abraham to Jesus Christ. Now I'll be honest in saying that I did skim over a lot of these because #1 I didn't think it was too important, and #2 I didn't even know who they were (much less pronounce their names). However, after reading the comments from my study Bible (yes, I know I'm a cheater), it brought up an interesting point. From Abraham to Jesus, there are many different types of people. We're talking a range from the obedient like Abraham to the evil like Manasseh (I actually don't know if Manasseh was evil or not, but my Study Bible says so...lol). Anyways it shows that God will work with anyone and everyone. He does not limit us by our shortcomings. That's awesome, I think. I mean that's like saying that someone as screwed up as I am can have a great grandson that will play a huge part in the Kingdom of God.
The second part of the first chapter talks about the birth of Jesus Christ. Now we all know the story and probably have played a role in the Christmas Play at some point in our lives so I won't go into too much detail there. This is Matthew's take on the event, and so it may differ from the other's (ie. Luke). Anyways the thing to point out here was Joseph. We probably all discussed this at some point in our lives, but MAN! I just watched this one Korean movie (I think it's translated "The Baby and Me"), and it was about some guy that found a kid (his kid) in his shopping cart one day. He didn't know about it and doesn't know what to do with it. That's the same thing here, except the baby is Jesus! I don't know about you, but for the guys out there I know becoming a father is a pretty big thing to swallow. Now becoming a father of someone who you KNOW will change the world....yea.
Anyways I don't want to bore you guys with my first entry (congratulations if you made it this far). I have made a lot more notes on my Bible for those who are interested. I also like to listen to different pastors' take on the passages. So in the future if I see/hear something I like, I'll try to post here. I want to end with a summary of the events, as this is something that helps me read.
1-6 Explanation of the genealogy from Abraham to King David
7-17 Continuation of the genealogy from Solomon to Joseph, who was the husband to Mary, who gave birth to Jesus Christ. In total there were 14 generations from Abraham and 14 generations from David to the exile to Babylon, and 14 from exile to Christ.
Angel Appears To Joseph
18-21 Mary was pregnant with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Joseph didn’t want to hurt Mary, so he thought about divorcing her quietly. However, an angel appeared and told Joseph to not worry and to name the baby Jesus when He is born. Jesus was given the name because “he will save his people from their sins.”
22-25 This was to fulfill a prophet that said a virgin will give birth to a son who will be called Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Joseph followed what he was told to do and named the baby Jesus.
Only two weeks left!
