We do not know much about the upbringing of Jesus. We know he is visited by magi sometime after his birth. We know that he lived in Egypt with Joseph and Mary for a little while. We know that he spent most of his early years in the small town of Nazareth in Galilee. And we know that Jesus traveled to Jerusalem with his parents for the major Jewish festivals, and once he was left behind in the Temple when he was twelve-years-old. What we do know is that Jesus grew during these transitional years. Jesus grew mentally (wisdom), physically (strong & stature), spiritually (favor with God), and relationally (favor with man).
The Birth of Jesus
December 24, 2023 • Andrew Cullen • Luke 2:1–7
The birth of Jesus was simple. Simple is carpentry as a profession. Simple is a teenage girl with a pure heart. Simple is a small town in Judea. Simple is traveling on foot. Simple is a dirty delivery room. Simple is one piece of cloth to wrap a baby. Simple is a feeding trough for a crib. Simple is resting your head on your husband’s shoulder after giving birth. Everything in this story points to its simplicity. God didn’t become like Caesar Augustus. He became like Joseph and Mary. He didn’t take on the nature of a ruler. He took on the nature of a servant. He didn’t choose a throne room for his first appearance. He chose an everyday home on an ordinary day. This wasn’t a disguise. There wasn’t a hidden meaning. His sincerity was revealed in his simplicity. He came in simplicity so we could approach Him and relate to Him.
Good News for All People
December 24, 2023 • Andrew Cullen • Luke 2:8–20
Shepherds were not visited by angels. Angels appeared to people like Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Daniel, Peter, John, and Jesus. Why were the shepherds chosen to be the ones to first hear this good news? Because they fall into the category of “all the people.” Shepherds were not elite. Shepherds were poor. Shepherds were perceived as dishonest. They were unclean ritually. They were dirty sanitarily. They smelled like sheep. They looked scruff. They were not invited to social gatherings. They represented outcasts and sinners. The shepherds can believe this announcement is good news for “all” people because they were chosen to receive this gift. The shepherds could relate to a simple birth and baby like this. This baby was approachable. This baby was relatable. This baby was like them.
An Expectant Family
December 3, 2023 • Andrew Cullen • Luke 1:5–25, Luke 1:39–80
Jesus’s family tree is full of people who experienced disappointment. Zechariah and Elizabeth are an older couple who live in the hill country of Judah. But they have a problem. Their problem is they do not have a child. Elizabeth is barren. But Elizabeth is not barren because of her sin. She is barren because of God’s plan. They had asked God for a child for years. Even when it felt like God was silent, God heard their prayers. When God answers, His delay had prepared them to understand God’s answer.
A Scandalous Family
November 26, 2023 • Andrew Cullen • Matthew 1:6, 2 Samuel 11—12
Why is Bathsheba included in Jesus’s family tree? No one would have been surprised by David’s name appearing in the family tree of Jesus. After all, David wrote 50% of the Psalms. David is remembered as the greatest king of Israel. David is described as a man after God’s own heart. For Matthew’s purposes, David is perhaps the most important ancestor of Jesus. However, there was that one thing. David’s unholy desire for Bathsheba became a scandalous affair that became a desperate cover up that became a heartless murder of Uriah that bore life-changing consequences. So why is Bathsheba included in Jesus’s family tree? To remind us of this scandal. To remind us that even David needed a Savior.
An Unlikely Family
November 12, 2023 • Andrew Cullen • Matthew 1:5
Rahab is an outsider. Socially, she is a prostitute. Ethnically, she is a Gentile. Literally, she lives “outside” the inner wall of Jericho. Rahab has a choice. She can turn over the spies and save herself, or she can save the spies and risk being killed. Why would Rahab side with her enemies? Why would an outsider take such a risk? Rahab believes something. What Rahab believes changes how she behaves. She hid the spies because she chose to join what God is doing rather than oppose it. Against the backdrop of judgment for idolatry, we see the merciful character of God saving those who have faith in Him.
A Deceptive Family
November 5, 2023 • Andrew Cullen • Matthew 1:1–17
Jesus the Messiah came from and for families like ours. Jesus’s family tree has real stories of real people with real problems. People who are flawed. People who fail. People who disobey God. People who look out for themselves. People who do not deserve an inheritance. But people who receive God’s mercy. People through whom God redeems the world. People for which Jesus was born, crucified, and resurrected. Genealogies tell the story of salvation.
