The Lord commanded Moses to erect a tabernacle – a tent of meeting that signified God’s presence with Israel during their wilderness wanderings. It was to be built according to the Lord’s exacting specifications. David desired to build a house for God. Solomon – David’s son and successor – built the temple in Jerusalem. The temple complex had three courts.  The outer court of the temple was the vestibule that was open to the public.  The Holy Place was the inner court where the priests performed their ministry.  The Most Holy Place is where the Lord’s glorious presence symbolically resided.  A curtain separated the outer court from the Holy Place. Another curtain separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. These curtains were not the...

The heading above Matthew 1:18-25 reads: “The Birth of Jesus Christ.” These verses do not actually record Christ’s birth. None of the nativity passages do. The text records the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus. How he was born confirms who he is. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, and adopted by Joseph. Matthew 1:1-17 presents Jesus as a part of the royal line of David, qualifying him to be the promised Messiah-King. This is why Matthew’s birth narrative begins with Joseph.  Joseph was betrothed to a virgin named Mary. Before their marriage was consummated, Mary became pregnant – not by Joseph. Joseph...