16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:16–18
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Fasting is part of the Christian life. Martin Luther said, "Fasting is fine outward training..." The thing is, fasting does not make us more holy. Fasting teaches us that we are weak and need a Savior. Therefore we do not fast like the world fasts. We hide our work to discipline ourselves and point ourselves to the cross of Jesus. Jesus gives up all things for you and me. He empties himself, picks up his cross, and offers his life to have you as his own. Your Father in heaven loves you. He applies the treasures of Jesus' work to you. The Christian has moments when he fasts because he mourns and then that fasting and mourning turns to joy and dancing in the presence of God's gifts for us in the divine service. 

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10       Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11       Give us this day our daily bread,
12       and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13       And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:7–15
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Pray This Way
The way you pray is different. You pray like children of the heavenly Father. The Lord invites you to believe that he is your true Father and that you are his true children. He promises to hear your prayers and grant his kingdom even on earth when his name is invoked. Our prayers remind us of the promises that this great God has made. He promises to take care of you in every need. At the center of our prayers is the cross. This cross of Jesus changes everything about our relationships and conversations. We forgive like he forgives. Forgiveness is our identification and our connection. As he forgave, we are no longer bound up in the chains of sins committed against you. The Lord's Prayer reminds us that we are made to be like Jesus, delivered from all evil. 

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:5–6
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When You Pray
Prayer is the language of faith. We pray because we believe that God is our true Father and that we are his true children. We do not act like the unbelievers who do not pray because of their faith. We do not pray like the hypocrites. Our prayers are an outpouring of our faith and our love for God. What he first put there, we speak back to him. Like a farmer who has sown a seed, so is the Word of God in the soil of our hearts. That seed has grown into a marvelous plant that has climbed up the cross of Jesus and grabbed ahold of our Savior. Your faith will not let him go. It cannot help but speak to him...not to be seen and to receive accolades by men, but to speak to our Father as true Children. This is a Baptismal relationship. You are adopted into a family and given all the rights and privileges of being the Son of God. You speak and he listens. 

6 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:1–4
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Before Others
The reward for you in waiting in heaven. Your flesh would have you enjoy something fleeting while you are here. The devil tries to convince you to enjoy the moment, get the accolades, and revel in the popularity. But that is not the way for you and me. We do not practice our righteousness before men in order to be seen by them. We practice our righteousness because Christ is in us and we are living out our lives as his people. The reward is not realized here. Here we trust no one. Here we live in love and fight with the Word of God upon our lips. We love, not to get a reward, but because we have the Holy Spirit in our heart and Jesus in our midst. Here, we love because Jesus died before all men and drew all men to himself. Here, we love because Jesus rose again and justified us before the Father. Your heavenly Father has been reconciled to you and he sees you. He knows you. 

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:43–48
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Love That Reflects the Father
Jesus’ command to love our enemies exposes how far our sinful hearts fall short of God’s holy will. We naturally love those who love us, while keeping our distance from those who hurt, oppose, or despise us. Yet the Father shows kindness even to the undeserving, giving His gifts to both the righteous and the wicked. This command does not mean approving of evil or pretending that sin does not matter. Rather, Christian love seeks the good of the neighbor, even the enemy, and brings that person before God in prayer. The call to be “perfect” leaves no room for boasting in our own righteousness. Instead, it drives us to Christ. For we have not loved our enemies as we should. Yet Christ loved us while we were still sinners and bore our hatred and rebellion upon the cross. There He won forgiveness for enemies like us. Having received such mercy, we are freed to show mercy to others.

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Matthew 5:38–42
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Overcoming Evil with Good
Jesus does not teach His disciples to live by the world’s rule of retaliation. The sinner naturally wants to get even, defend his honor, and make sure that no one gets the upper hand. Yet Christ calls His people to a different way: willingly bearing personal wrongs and responding to evil with generous love. This does not mean that civil authority should abandon justice or that Christians must permit genuine harm to continue unchecked. Rather, Jesus addresses the Christian’s personal desire for revenge and calls us to entrust our cause to God. Such love is impossible by our own strength. Look to Christ. He endured false accusations, mockery, violence, and an unjust sentence without retaliating. At the cross, He bore the sins of those who crucified Him, and our sins as well. There, He answered our rebellion not with vengeance, but with mercy. Because Christ has forgiven us, we are freed from the burden of getting even. His cross gives us the strength to love even when love costs us something.

33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.
Matthew 5:33–37
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Let Your Word Be True
Our Lord Jesus teaches us that our words matter. We are tempted to manipulate the truth, exaggerate our promises, or use impressive words to make ourselves more believable. But such speech reveals the sinful heart. God does not merely hear the words we speak in church; He hears every word spoken at home, at work, and in conversation with our neighbor. The Christian therefore seeks to speak truthfully and simply. Our “yes” should mean yes, and our “no” should mean no. We do not need elaborate promises to make ourselves trustworthy. The Second Commandment reminds us that God’s name is not to be used for lying or deception. Yet our speech often fails this standard. Thanks be to God that our salvation does not depend upon the perfection of our words. Christ, who always spoke the truth, bore our sinful words to the cross. There He died for our lies and empty promises and gives us His righteousness. In Him, we are forgiven and taught to speak truthfully in love.

31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Matthew 5:31–32
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Faithfulness in a Faithless World
Marriage is not merely a human arrangement that can be discarded when it becomes difficult. Jesus teaches that marriage is a gift established by God, and therefore divorce is never something to treat casually. God’s intention is for husband and wife to remain faithful to one another. Jesus exposes the sinful heart that looks for a legal way around God’s good design. Yet this Law also reveals something deeper: we have all failed to love our neighbors as we ought. Even those who have kept their marriage vows perfectly in outward appearance cannot claim righteousness before God. Our hope, therefore, is not found in our record of faithfulness, but in Christ’s faithfulness for us. At the cross, Jesus remained faithful to His unfaithful people, bearing our sin and shame. His blood brings forgiveness to sinners and restores what sin has broken. In Christ, repent, believe, and rejoice in His steadfast love.

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
Matthew 5:27–30
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Guarding the Heart
Jesus teaches us that the Sixth Commandment reaches deeper than outward actions. Sin begins in the heart, where desire can turn a person created in God’s image into an object for our own gratification. His severe language about removing whatever causes us to sin emphasizes that we should take temptation seriously and flee from it rather than nourish it. Yet this command exposes more than the sins we can see. It exposes the sinful heart we cannot cleanse by our own efforts. We need more than better habits; we need a Savior. At the cross, Christ bore the guilt of our impurity, lust, and every violation of God’s holy Law. His blood cleanses sinners who confess their sin and trust in Him. Therefore, repent of sinful desires, guard what you see and entertain, and cling to Christ. In Him there is forgiveness, and by His Word and Spirit He daily teaches us to honor our neighbor and live in chastity and purity.

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Matthew 5:21–26
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Reconciled by the Cross
Jesus exposes the depth of God’s Law: sin is not merely what our hands do but what proceeds from our hearts. Anger, contempt, and hatred toward our neighbor reveal a heart that has broken the Fifth Commandment long before violence ever occurs. Christ therefore calls us to take seriously the broken relationships sin creates and to seek reconciliation rather than nurture resentment. Yet this command also reveals our need for a Savior. We cannot make ourselves righteous by repairing every broken relationship or offering God enough good works. Our sin has placed us under judgment, and our debt is one we cannot repay. But Christ has paid it. At the cross, the innocent Son of God bore the judgment our anger and hatred deserved. Through His blood, God reconciles sinners to Himself. Having received such mercy, we are freed to forgive others and pursue peace, not to earn salvation, but because we have already been reconciled to God in Christ.

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:17–20
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Christ, Our Perfect Righteousness
Jesus did not come to discard God’s Word, but to fulfill it completely. The Law reveals God’s holy will and exposes our sin. Like the Pharisees, we can be tempted to measure righteousness by outward behavior while ignoring the sinful heart beneath it. But God’s standard is not merely outward conformity; He demands perfect righteousness. That leaves us with a problem: our righteousness will never be enough. Even our best works are stained by sin. The righteousness that exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees cannot come from ourselves. It comes from Christ. Jesus perfectly fulfilled the Law in our place. He loved God perfectly, loved His neighbor perfectly, and then bore the punishment our disobedience deserved upon the cross. There, the One who fulfilled the Law became the sacrifice for lawbreakers. Therefore, do not look to your works for confidence before God. Look to Christ. His perfect righteousness is credited to you by faith, and in Him you stand forgiven.

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:13–16
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Salt of the Earth
The world is going to hell in a hand basket. That which preserves it and keeps it is the most unexpected thing. It is the Word of God made manifest in the hearts of Christians. The great preserver is not the lies of the devil and the passions of the world, no, it is the Gospel of Christ who went to the cross to make the world alive. The world has plunged itself into deep darkness. The blind lead the blind into ditches and off the edges of cliffs. It is the Holy Spirit active in the hearts of God's faithful that brings the light of Jesus, lighting the whole world. Jesus comes to save the whole world. He comes because of his great love for all men. He comes to suffer the cross to forgive your sins and to make you new. He is your tasty salt and the lamp that is your light. He is your foundation and your rock. He has transformed you to be like him. You are salt and you are light because of what he has done for you. Amen, so shall it be. 

5 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.  2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:1–12
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Blessed Are You
Jesus comes that we might become like him. He comes to fulfill and make new. He comes in unexpected places, but he comes to do unexpected things. He makes himself poor in spirit and poor in possessions. He empties his treasury to come in humility for you. He mourns for the men and women he created and loves. He who has all power and might becomes meek and gentle. He thirsts for righteousness, fulfills all righteousness, puts his righteousness into Baptism and wraps you with his righteousness. He does not give you what you deserve--he is merciful. There is nothing that can move him. He is pure in heart. His will is aligned with the Heavenly Father to make peace that surpasses all understanding. It is a peace that the world does not know. He is reviled and persecuted. He goes to the cross for you. So he wants you to be like him and he sends his Holy Spirit to make you like him. He transforms you by the power of his means of Grace. He grants you joy and gladness that cannot be taken from you. Thanks be to God for yours is the kingdom of heaven.

23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
Matthew 4:23–25
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To Be the Christ
The Lord Jesus goes! He does not stay put. He goes into the places of sorrow and pain. He goes where there is sickness and affliction. He comes to rescue and make alive. He comes to preach in all these places. This preaching is absolution and it is the power of God. It all points to his work on the cross. Jesus comes to save. There is only the forgiveness of sins with the shedding of blood. It must be Jesus' blood. He must go to the cross. He must die. To be the Christ is to die for you and rise again. This is what he does. He won't be detoured by those who would like him to be a miracle doctor for the lame or the bread king and he won't be the one that kicks out Caesar. He will reign by a cross. He preaches the fulfillment of the promises. The promises all lead to the cross.

18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Matthew 4:18–22
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Fishers of Men
The Word will be the net that Peter and Andrew use to catch men. The Word will capture men alive. What means death for a fish means life for you. To be caught by the Word, the Lord of Life himself, is to be plucked out of death and darkness and placed into the light and life of Christ. The faith that saves us is preached into our hearts. This net, this Word, makes all things new. This net infuriates the devil. He will do all he can to mess with the preaching and the means of grace. This devil is defeated by that very Word that he tries to thwart. The Word made flesh has crushed the devil's head and has made you alive. Amen, so shall it be forever.

12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

            15       “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
      the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
            16       the people dwelling in darkness
      have seen a great light,
                  and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,
      on them a light has dawned.”

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:12–17
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Near To You
To repent is not natural for man. Our hearts and the ways of our flesh are evil all the time. We love the darkness and we love our sins. The Law must be preached. The Word must stop you in your tracks. It is the Word of God that converts and creates faith. You won't go looking for it; it has to come find you. And so it does. The Holy Spirit brings the reign of heaven to surround you and enter inside of you even as he dwells with you. You have faith in Jesus Christ. Through knowledge of sin and this faith you repent of your sins, turn to his cross, and push the old Adam under the waves of your Baptism again. In Christ, you have life and salvation. The forgiveness of sins has come near to you.

4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written,
                  “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
      but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,
                  “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and
                  “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
      lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ”
7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,
                  “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God
      and him only shall you serve.’ ”
11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
Matthew 4:1–11
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He Submits Himself
When Jesus becomes incarnate, he submits himself to everything humanity is faced with. He is tempted in every way just like we are. He humiliates himself to save you. He subjects himself to the devil's lies and temptations to save you from hell and eternal death. This Jesus won't give in to displays of power to prove who he is. He is the Son of God. He won't create spectacles of show before the people nor will he test for God. He walks according to God's ways. He walks all the way to the cross and then out of the tomb. He won't worship the prince of this world. He worships and serves God alone. All this he does for you. He defeats the devil in every aspect, at every turn, and with every breath. He remains steadfast to his own Word. He keeps his promises and rescues his people.

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:13–17
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Fulfill All Righteousness
Jesus changes things. He who created all things by his Word becomes part of the creation. He who comes in the flesh of Mary is anointed for the work before him. This work is put into the water. He fulfills all righteousness so that you can be clothed in righteousness. Indeed, this is the Son of God, with him, the Father is well pleased. Apart from him, there is no life. Apart from him we are dead in our sins. However, in him is life. He wraps us in his righteousness and makes us members of him. We become children of God by his command and promise. He is our God and we are his people. Now, the Father is well pleased with you, too. You are clothed in Jesus.

3 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,
                  “The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
                  ‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
      make his paths straight.’ ”
4 Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Matthew 3:1–12
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Prepare the Way for Christ
John the Baptist’s preaching is not gentle advice for self-improvement. It is the sharp preaching of God’s Law: repent. Our sin deserves God’s judgment, and neither family heritage, outward religion, nor our own good works can rescue us. John’s call to repentance prepares sinners for the coming of Christ, and his ministry continues wherever Law and Gospel are faithfully proclaimed. But John does not leave us staring at our sin. He points us to the One who is mightier than he. Jesus comes as the promised Messiah, not merely to warn sinners of judgment, but to bear that judgment Himself. At the cross, Christ was cut down in the place of sinners so that those who trust in Him might live. Therefore, repent. Confess your sin. Do not trust in yourself. Trust in Christ, who has come near to sinners with forgiveness and life. His cross is your refuge, and His promises are sure.

19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.
Matthew 2:19–23
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The Savior in Obscurity
After Herod’s death, Joseph brings Jesus and His mother back from Egypt, but God directs them away from Judea and into Galilee. There, Jesus grows up in the seemingly insignificant town of Nazareth. Matthew emphasizes that even these ordinary, hidden circumstances belong to God’s saving purpose. Matthew’s reference to the prophets points toward the Old Testament expectation of the promised “Branch,” while also highlighting the humble and despised reputation associated with Nazareth. Our Lord’s humility begins long before His public ministry. The eternal Son of God is content to be known as a Nazarene. He does not come with earthly splendor, but in weakness and lowliness. This humility ultimately leads Him to the cross, where the One despised by men bears the sins of the world. Do not despise the ordinary places where God has placed you. Christ works through humble means and promises to remain with His people. The Savior who lived in obscurity now gives Himself openly for you in Word and Sacrament.

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
            18       “A voice was heard in Ramah,
      weeping and loud lamentation,
                  Rachel weeping for her children;
      she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”
Matthew 2:16–18
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When Evil Seems to Win
Matthew does not soften the horror of Herod’s violence. The mothers of Bethlehem had every reason to weep. Their suffering reminds us that sin is not merely an abstract doctrine; it produces real sorrow, death, and grief. Matthew connects this tragedy with Jeremiah’s picture of Rachel mourning for her children, showing how the suffering of God’s people is woven into the larger history of Israel and God’s promises. Yet Herod could not stop God’s salvation. The tyrant sought to destroy the Christ Child, but God preserved His Son. And the preserved Child would one day willingly give Himself into the hands of wicked men. At the cross, Jesus endured the full violence of sin, not as a helpless victim of Herod, but as the willing Savior who laid down His life for sinners. When grief seems overwhelming, remember: evil does not have the final word. Christ does. His cross has conquered sin and death, and His resurrection guarantees that every sorrow will finally give way to everlasting joy.

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
Matthew 2:13–15
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The Faithful Son
Jesus’ journey into Egypt reminds us that God’s plan of salvation does not always unfold in ways that look glorious. The infant Christ is carried away from danger, hidden in a foreign land, and brought back only when the threat has passed. Yet Matthew shows us that even these humble circumstances fulfill God’s promises. Matthew presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel’s history: where Israel was God’s son called out of Egypt, Jesus is the faithful Son who perfectly fulfills what Israel could not. This faithful Son would ultimately face a far greater threat than Herod. He would willingly go to the cross, bearing the judgment of sinners. There, He would not escape death but conquer it for us. When God’s providence seems hidden, remember Christ. The Father was working salvation even through the darkness. The same Lord who preserved His Son for the cross preserves you in Christ until He brings you safely home.

2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
            6       “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
      are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
                  for from you shall come a ruler
      who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
Matthew 2:1–12
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The King Who Came to Save
The Magi came seeking a king, but they found something far greater than earthly royalty. They found the promised Christ, the Shepherd-King who had come for His people, and not only for Israel, but for the nations. Note the contrast between the Magi’s worship and Herod’s hostility. One receives Christ with joy; the other sees Him as a threat. Herod’s fear reminds us that Christ’s reign confronts the sinful desires of our hearts. We naturally want to rule ourselves. Yet Jesus does not come to negotiate His lordship. He comes to save sinners. And His kingship is revealed most clearly not by earthly splendor, but by His cross. The child worshiped by the nations would grow to bear the sins of the world. The King would wear a crown of thorns and reign from the cross, giving His life for His enemies. Come, then, and worship your King. He has come to save you.
 

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
            23       “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
      and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Matthew 1:18–25
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God With Us
Joseph’s plans were interrupted by a mystery he could not understand. Mary was pregnant, yet Joseph had not been with her. In his righteousness, he intended to act honorably and quietly. But God revealed that this child was conceived by the Holy Spirit and that Joseph was to receive Him as his own. Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the promised Messiah, the Son of David, and that His name declares His saving work. Jesus did not come merely to improve our lives. He came to save His people from their sins. This is the heart of Christmas: God came to dwell with sinners. The infant in Mary’s arms is Immanuel, God with us. And the God who came to us in humility would go to the cross in our place. There He bore our sin and judgment so that forgiven sinners might have God with them forever.

1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, 4 and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of David the king.
And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, 7 and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, 8 and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, 9 and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, 11 and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
12 And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, 15 and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
Mattew 1:1–17
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God Works Through Sinners
A genealogy may seem like an unusual way to begin a Gospel, but Matthew is showing us something important: Jesus did not appear out of nowhere. He is the promised Son of David, the fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham and His people. The genealogy also includes people with shameful histories: foreigners, sinners, failed kings, and generations marked by exile. God’s saving work did not depend upon the righteousness or greatness of those in Jesus’ family tree. That is good news for sinners like us. Our family histories, past sins, failures, and regrets do not prevent Christ from being our Savior. God kept His promise through generations of sinners until, in the fullness of time, Christ came. And Christ came for precisely such people. He bore our sins upon the cross, suffering the judgment we deserved. His righteousness, not our ancestry, achievements, or worth, is our confidence. God is faithful to His promises, and in Christ, His promise of salvation is yours.