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"and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene." (Matthew 2:23) When Herod the Great died there was great confusion about what should happen because he had drafted several wills, many of which were in conflict with one …
Continue reading "The Nobody Messiah: Jesus of Nazareth and Messianic Expectations"
Listen to me, you islands;hear this, you distant nations:Before I was born the Lord called me;from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name. (Isaiah 49:1) Isaiah the prophet was raised up for a purpose: to speak the words of God and to glorify God before all the nations. But this passage is not about …
Continue reading "The One Who is to Come: Jesus Like Isaiah"
This past weekend I enjoyed the opportunity of preaching at Elmbrook Church as part of their series on the names of God from Isaiah 9:6-7. This was the second week of that series, focused on the second title listed for the Messiah: "Mighty God." I built much of the message around Philippians 2:5-11, which served …
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom,establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.The zeal of the Lord Almighty will …
Continue reading "The Heart of God’s Deliverance: a word from John Oswalt on Isaiah 9"
Psalm 22 is one of the most, if not the most, quoted and alluded to psalm in the New Testament. Particularly, Psalm 22 is closely connected with Jesus’ work upon the Cross, especially His exclamation of the first words of the psalm in both Mark and Matthew: About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out …
Continue reading "Seeing Jesus in Psalm 22: finding hope in darkness"
Matthew Erickson 