ABOUT THE EPISODE
We’re diving into Matthew today! Our reading plan has taken us through chapters 1-4 of this Gospel, and in today’s podcast, Cherie and Tami cover the highlights—the genealogy of Jesus, His birth and baptism, and the age-old question of “Why does God allow suffering?”
INSIGHTS FROM CHERIE AND TAMI
Matthew 1: Genealogy
God intentionally and counter-culturally includes four women in the lineage of Jesus. You can read about their stories in Genesis 38 (Tamar), Joshua 2 (Rahab), Ruth (Ruth), and all through the Gospels (Mary).
Matthew 2: Jesus’ birth + a tragic genocide
We often ask “Why does God allow suffering?” This might not be the right question to ask. When we reorient ourselves with the truth and acknowledge the world’s depravity, we quickly realize we all deserve suffering, because we have all fallen short in our sin. But God gives love and discipline to His children, not punishment. There is a key distinction to pay attention to!
Matthew 3: Baptism
John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin and a forerunner to point to Jesus as the Messiah. Baptism gives us a beautiful picture as a “tomb and a womb”—a tomb to our sin and old selves, and a womb as we are birthed into God’s everlasting Kingdom!
Matthew 4: Temptation
Each time Jesus was tempted, He responded with Scripture. How different would our approach to temptation be if we knew God’s Word so well that we too responded with, “It is written…”?
EPISODE LINKS
The Passion of the Christ: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0335345/
WHAT IS NEUE THING?
Neue Thing is a non-profit ministry, founded by Cherie Wagner, that exists to encourage, equip, and empower women with the Word of God. Cherie’s life-long passion is two-fold: knowing Jesus Christ and making Him known. Author of Found On My Knees, Awake O Sleeper, Rest, and Hope, Cherie writes Bible studies for women that will encourage them to know and believe God’s Word, equip them to live it, and empower them to take it and transform this generation for Jesus Christ.
CONNECT WITH NEUE THING
Website: https://neuething.org/
Email Subscription link: https://neuething.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neuethinginc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neuething
RESOURCES
Found On My Knees: The Journey from Brokenness to Blessing
Awake O Sleeper: Ephesians
Rest: 30 Days of Exploring God’s Invitation to Rest
Hope: Tethered to an Unwavering God
