How Dare He!
Backstory:
Jesus’ miracles had drawn great crowds. The people were grateful for his healing touch. Jesus’ miracles had shown his divine power and authority. In Capernaum, Jesus stepped it up a notch and did some things that greatly upset the religious leaders (the teachers of the law, who were the Jewish scholars of the day; the Pharisees, who strictly, but often hypocritically, kept the Law of Moses and the unwritten traditions of the elders; and the Herodians, who supported the Roman government and joined in opposing Jesus for fear that he might have an unsettling political influence on people). From then on, the religious leaders watched Jesus closely, for he dared to challenge long-held traditions.

God’s Story:
I have given my Son the authority to perform miracles to give people a glimpse of what it means to live in my kingdom. He also has the authority to forgive people’s sins, the ultimate treasure of my kingdom. The legalists of the synagogue will not easily accept the part about forgiveness. How sad. They do not understand my Son’s ultimate purpose in coming to earth.

Read Mark 2:1 – 3:6

Your Story:
Jesus continued healing the sick, but his actions took on added dimensions: forgiving sins, eating with sinners and tax collectors, not fasting, violating traditions regarding the Sabbath. God had given him the authority to do all these things, yet the religious leaders were throwing a fit. Because they didn’t believe Jesus was the Messiah, they didn’t believe his power was from God. If you had witnessed Jesus’ ministry firsthand, do you think you would have taken it all in stride, or would you have questioned him for so boldly challenging tradition? God’s way still challenges the norm. If you believe in him, then being a part of his kingdom means standing apart from the rest of the world.

Positions in the Kingdom
Backstory:
Jesus continued to preach and help those in need. While the religious leaders persisted in testing Jesus and asking for signs, Jesus kept talking to his disciples about the kingdom of heaven. Later, however, a question revealed that they had not grasped many aspects of this new kingdom. Jesus needed to teach them more.

God’s Story:
The disciples still do not get it! They are interested in their own advancement, power and position in my kingdom. Instead, they must think simply, trust implicitly and humbly accept their own lack of power and their dependence on my mercy for entrance into my kingdom.
 Read Matthew 18:1-5

Your Story:
If you’ve ever tried to gain entry into an exclusive club, you know about strict requirements, rules and fees. The kingdom of heaven is the most prestigious club ever! After all, it’s led by the King of kings and Lord of lords. But the Kingdom of God is completely different from any other club you’ve ever known. It turns “normal” upside down. The invitation to become a member is given to everyone, and the kingdom is so easy to get into that even a little child can become a member. Being a member of this kingdom is the opportunity of a lifetime! It’s where you want to be.

Living in the Kingdom of God
God’s Story:
My people will know how to talk to me directly. They will know that in my kingdom there are certain standards. They will come to understand a new way of living that will bring them peace and happiness. My Son will teach them.

Read Matthew 6:1-7:29

Your Story:
Jesus continued the greatest sermon ever in order to teach the people how to live differently than the rest of the world. Jesus’ commands introduced a profound new way of living and looking at life — a way that is just as important for you today as it was for those living during Jesus’ time on earth. The kingdom of God is being established right here, right now. God is with you, and his kingdom is within your reach. Because of him, you can have a new way of looking at poverty, prayer, forgiveness, money and worry. When you submit to the King, you can worry less and live a better life.

The Greatest Sermon Ever
Backstory:
Jesus’ reputation was spreading. Crowds gathered wherever he went. Everyone wanted to be present to hear his words and witness his miracles. They hoped to hear about how he would restore the kingdom of David. They expected a kingdom on earth with all the splendor of the days of King David and King Solomon. They were surprised to hear only do a kingdom of heaven.

God’s Story:
My kingdom is not of this cursed earth. It was not built, nor is it maintained, by military might. It is a kingdom of peace, justice and mercy. I am a loving and tender king who is always present in my kingdom. My extraordinary home – heaven – is within everyone’s reach, and all are welcome to enjoy its promises and benefits. And just as I am perfect, I call my people to be perfect. Though they cannot fully attain perfection in their life on earth, that is my high standard for them. Why? Because in order for a community to work as I envisioned it before the fall of man, people cannot act out in any sinful or selfish way.

Read Matthew 5:1-48

Your Story:
You cannot live your life without a king. Without being aware of it, you will crown something or someone as ruler in your life: wealth, prestige, status, power, a person such as a hero or rock star or political figure. There is an inherent “something” within you that longs for royalty and someone to follow. Don’t pick an earthly king, because he can’t help you; he will eventually stumble and fall. Pick Jesus Christ as the King of your life. He is the perfect leader and hero. He sets a different standard that exemplifies the perfect life to come, and he guarantees everything will turn out okay.

New Birth
God’s Story:
Jesus will preach the good news that it is not what a person does that matters but what I do that makes a difference. My kingdom is open to those who love me, but they will not enter it by any earthly means. No way! My Spirit will come into all those who put their faith in my Son, and he will change each one into a new person. Humans did nothing to accomplish their birth; they can do nothing to accomplish their spiritual re-birth. I love my world so much that I will do all the work to re-claim my creation as my own — even though that means asking my Son to be “lifted up” on the cross.

Read John 3:1-21

Your Story:
Of course you don’t remember your physical birth; no one does. By your mother’s strength you were born; you really had nothing to do with it. You participated a little bit — by breathing. The same is true of spiritual re-birth. God does all the work of re-birth through his grace. His love for you is so great that he sent his Son to give you the free gift of eternal life. In your re-birth, you participate by believing in God and accepting his free gift.

A Miraculous Sign
Backstory:
Jesus’ ministry was just beginning and he had chosen his first disciples. Jewish weddings were happy occasions; the celebrations associated with them often lasted a week or more. The beverage options were simple: water or wine. The host was expected to have plenty of both on hand — enough to last for the whole feast. Running out of wine would be a major social disgrace. Jesus used the occasion to begin his journey to the cross — where his “hour” would fully come.

God’s Story:
My Son has my authority to perform miraculous signs and wonders. The people will know by what he does that he far exceeds any other teacher or prophet who has ever lived on earth. My glory will be revealed through his miracles and will make his followers believe in him.

Read John 2:1-12

Your Story:
Miracles don’t seem to be as dramatic today as they were during Jesus’ ministry, but they are certainly still happening. God performs them every single day. Look for them. And remember that God uses miracles to demonstrate his power, which can be revealed through many different means. His miracles aren’t always obvious.

Winning Over Temptation

God’s Story:
There has been temptation as long as there have been people. Satan, in the form of a serpent, brought temptation to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Satan won and separated my people from me. My Son, Jesus, will go into the wilderness where Satan will tempt him too, but this time the results will be radically different. This time Satan will lose and Jesus will be victorious! As a result, instead of being separated from my children, I will be re-united with them.

Read Matthew 4:1-11

Your Story:
This time of testing in the wilderness demonstrated that Jesus really was the Son of God. Jesus remained perfect and sinless, able to resist the devil’s evil temptations. You too will be tested throughout your life. Although you are not blameless and without sin like Jesus, you are able to resist temptation when it comes your way. No one said it would be easy, but if you are aware and ready, you will be more prepared for the fight. Like Jesus did (3 times), you can resist the devil by relying on God’s Word. And through your faith in God, you have more strength on your side than you can possibly fathom.

John The Baptist Prepares the Way

God’s Story:
My Son is an adult now and ready to begin his public ministry. At his baptism in the Jordan River, the Holy Spirit will come upon him to anoint and equip him for his work as the Messiah. And I will openly announce that he is my Son. Those who hear my words will not really understand them. But there is time. My pronouncement will be the first of many that will reveal who Jesus really is.

Read Matthew 3:1-17

Your Story:
Although John the Baptist was a well-known preacher who attracted large crowds, he was content for Jesus to take the higher place. This is true humility, the basis for greatness in preaching, teaching or any other work you might do for Christ. When you are content to do what God wants you to do and let Jesus Christ be honored for it, God will do great things through you.

The Plan Unfolds
Backstory:
Luke and Matthew cover different but complementary events pertaining to Jesus’ childhood. Luke 2 records Jesus’ birth and earliest days, then tells the story of Jesus at age 12 at the temple. Matthew 2 fills in some events that happened in between Jesus’ birth and age 12. The Magi were likely astrologers, perhaps from Persia or southern Arabia, both of which are east of the Holy Land. Unlike the shepherds, the Magi did not visit Jesus at the manger on the night of his birth; they probably came some months later and visited him as a “child” in his “house” (Luke 2:11)

God’s Story:
This has been a long time coming. I have planned the events of my Son’s life since time began. Those who know the words of the prophets and are attentive to the life of this child, Jesus, will realize that he is the one the prophets spoke about hundreds of years ago.

Read Matthew 2:1-23

Your Story:
Your birth and life may not have been foretold by prophets, but you can be absolutely confident that they were carefully planned. God has a plan for your life, just as he did for his Son. He knew all about you before you were conceived. He was there when you took your first breath, and he is with you now. The Son of God became flesh, coming to earth as a baby to live song God’s special creation. And his Spirit remains with you always.

God’s Story:
The Jews believed that the long-awaited Messiah would be a human king who would rescue them from their Roman oppressors and establish a new earthly kingdom. They have waited a very long time for this promised Messiah. Jesus, the promised King, will come to earth to inaugurate the kingdom of heaven, which I have been planning to reveal since the Garden of Eden. He will disclose the essence of true faith: belief in him provides access to the kingdom.

Your Story:
How far back can you trace your family tree? You may have discovered everything about your history or you may know little about your ancestors. The Jews needed to know Jesus’ lineage in order to believe that he was the “real deal,” the one whom God promised throughout the Old Testament, so Matthew opened his recollections of Jesus’ life with Jesus’ genealogy.

Read Matthew 1:1-17

How many of these names do you recognize from the Old Testament? How do their stories fit into Jesus’ story? And remember, God wants you to receive Jesus as your Messiah, if you haven’t already done so, so that God’s story can become your story.