Following Jesus – Week 1

Isaiah 40-55 are called the ‘comfort poems.’ They are a backdrop to the Gospel of Matthew. They tell of the Messiah’s return and hope of the promised Kingdom of God (⁠Isaiah 52:1-10⁠⁠). Matthew is diligent to make clear that fulfillment of the entire story of the Hebrew Bible is found in Jesus. He begins the Gospel with the genealogy from the promise to Abraham (⁠Matthew 1:1-17⁠). Immerse ourselves in the story because we still have a part to play in the story. Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise. The ‘New Creation’ has begun (⁠Matthew 28:16-20⁠⁠). We live this out as followers of Jesus to be like him, Humble and Obedient to the Father. In the Lord’s Prayer (⁠Matthew 6:9-13⁠⁠) we are invited into this long history of relationship with God. Let the story influence you. Over the summer weeks of this series, immerse yourself in reading Matthew’s Gospel. Read it out loud and with others. And try incorporating the Lord’s Prayer into your day. Form the habits of how we love through these practices.