Jesus' hometown of Nazareth didn't fit Israel's preconceived notions of a Messiah. They rejected Jesus, in part, because he came from such an unknown and despised town.

Matthew creatively pictures Jesus in this passage as the one ending the true spiritual Exile of Israel and orchestrating a true spiritual Exodus from sin. By reenacting Israelite history, Jesus…

The Messiah has finally come, the Magi see the star in the east and head to Jerusalem. But where we would expect great joy from Israel, instead we see a…

It's curious that this passage focuses on the one person who had nothing to do with Jesus' birth: Joseph. Matthew demonstrates how Joseph knew and acted on faith that Jesus…

Zechariah has been transformed from faith-lacking, failed priest to a man confident that God keeps His promises. Zechariah responds to the birth of John the Baptist praising God for keeping…

Zechariah perceives he has a problem: no children in his old age. But an encounter with an angel in the temple reveals the true problem: Zechariah has lost his faith…