1	Riches of the Lectionary Advent/Christmas Cycle A Rev. James P. McIlhone September 21, 2004
2	Advent Advent comes from the Latin adventus meaning “expectation”, or “waiting”. Triple expectation of Christ Expectation at Second Coming (1^st Sun) Expectation of Israel of Messiah (2^nd-3^rd Sun) John the Baptist Expectation of Mary of birth of Son (4^th Sun)
3	The Genre of Infancy Narrative Midrash, derived from verb $rd meaning "to interpret" Cf Rabbi Hillel's rules of interpretation Midrash is at the heart of NT infancy narratives Read events of Jesus life in light of the life of the early Christian community
4	Infancy Narratives Matthew Begins with Genealogy Remote Origins Continues with narrative of “origin” of Jesus Proximate Origins Luke Introductory prelude Announcement Triptych John the Baptist Jesus** Visitation
5	Infancy Narratives Luke Birth Triptych John the Baptist Jesus** Presentation The Temple Narrative – Jesus at 12
6	Four Distinct Passages Matthew 1:1-17 explains WHO Jesus is Matthew 1:18-25 HOW Jesus is a son of David Matthew 2:1-12 explains WHERE Jesus was born Matthew 2:13-23 shows WHENCE Jesus will go Each text is centered around OT Citation
7	The "Origins" of Jesus Ge/nesij “origin from the verb gi/gnomai “to become” Whole Gospel concerns Origin of Jesus 1:1-17 is the narrative of REMOTE origins 1:18-24 is the IMMEDIATE origins
8	The Genealogy "Remote Origins" Three Divisions Abraham to David 14 generations David to the Exile 14 generations The Davidic/Messianic Line Exile to Christ 14 generations
9	The Genealogy
10	The Numerology of David David in Hebrew is diwfd d in numerology is 4 w in numerology is 6 Thus d (4) + w (6) + d (4) = 14 The Numerological equivalent of David is 14 Three is a number of Perfection Therefore…
11	The Women in the Genealogy Tamar Wife of Er son of Judah, Harlot with Judah Rahab Harlot of Jericho; houses spies Ruth Moabitess; marries a Jew Becomes wife of Boaz
12	The Women in the Genealogy The wife of Uriah the Hittite David lusted after her; has husband Uriah killed; takes her for his wife Each showed initiative and through them God's plan went forward Mary What circumstances are here
13	“Birth” ge/nesij of Jesus Word translated “birth” is ge/nesij from gi/gnomai meaning “to become” Hence a better translation would be “origin” gennh/sij from genna/w would be the proper Greek word for “birth” The “birth” of Jesus does not take place in Matthew until the last verse in a subordinate clause.
14	Matthew 1:18-25 Joseph is direct descendant of David Betrothed (engaged) to Mary Mary found with child (by the Holy Spirit) Joseph is connection to Davidic line Joseph not father of Jesus How is Jesus in the Davidic line?
15	Matthew 1:18-25 Joseph’s betrothed is found to be with child (by the Holy Spirit) We know that; Joseph doesn’t Joseph chooses to do what is right by the law Put her away quietly according to Deut 25 His decision is interrupted by the angelic appearance
16	Matthew 1:18-25 Angel tells Joseph what we already know Child is by the Holy Spirit Hence an miraculous conception, A virgin-birth Child shall be named Jesus Jesus is Greek form of Jehoshuah which means Yeho Oh:y – Yahweh or God Shuach axU$ – Saves THUS God is salvation Naming of the child grants him the inheritance of Joseph Here tantamount to Adoption (since Joseph is not father)
17	Matthew 1:18-25 Jesus is natural born son of God conceived by the Holy Spirit Adopted son of Joseph adopted by the act of Joseph’s naming him Ancient Israel’s Kings were natural born descendant of David traced through the Davidic line adopted Sons of God declared on the day of their anointing
18	Matthew 1:18-25 Fulfills prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 Emmanuel Immanu UnfMi( “with us” el l") “God” Thus “God is with us” Joseph wakes and does as angel told Takes Mary as his wife Knew her not Until she bore a son Named him Jesus
19	Matthew 1:18-25 Meaning of “until” Greek e(w/j and Hebrew da) carry sense of “until” the condition was not met up to the point Joseph did not know Mary up to point of bearing child says nothing about what happened after does not imply he did know her afterward e.g. Michal had no children until the day of her death e.g. The bird went for from the ark and did not return until the waters subsided e.g. Noone knows location of Moses until the present day
20	Luke’s Text 2:1-7 Luke places birth in the context of contemporary History Decree for Census from Augustus First census “Since” or “while” Quirinius was Governor of Syria All went to the own city to be taxed Census is means Luke uses to get Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem Bethlehem is the house and city of David
21	Luke’s Text 2:1-7 Time comes for Mary to Deliver She Gave birth to first born Wrapped him in swaddling clothes Laid him in a manger Cf. Isa 1:3 No Room for them in the Inn
22	Infancy Narratives Matthew Magi come and present gifts Matthew has an interest in Gentiles Note the attitude of Official Judaism I.e. Herod Luke Shepherds come and present selves Luke has an interest in the Poor and lowly Good News announced to Shepherds They go and see it is true They present Good News I.e. become evangelists
23	Matthew 2:1-12 Dual Sources A midrash on Numbers 24:17 (tells of a star rising) Source centering in Herod, and built on prophecy of Micah 5:2 If Magi had star to lead them, why Herod? If Herod had scriptures, why Magi? Note also Joseph is missing from this text
24	Matthew’s Text 2:1-12 Jesus born in Bethlehem (Where) In days of Herod the king (When) Wise men, magoi, Magi from the east came Inquire of Herod whereabouts of birth of new born king Micah 5:2
25	Matthew’s Text 2:1-12 Herod sends Magi to Bethlehem requesting they send word of whereabouts so he can worship Indicative of what is to come They go to Bethelehm Bring gifts of cf. Isa 60:6, Ps 72:11 Gold kingly status Frankincense divinity Myrrh burial spice
26	Matthew’s Text 2:1-12 Magi told in a dream to return By another way Two distinct reactions to birth of Jesus Homage of the Magi Hostility of Herod
27	Flight into Egypt Angel appears to Joseph who does not appear in Magi narrative Herod is going to destroy child take child and mother to Egypt Go and remain in Egypt till Herod dies Fulfill Hosea 11:1
28	The Holy Innocents Herod realizes he was tricked by Magi Sent to kill all children 2 years old and under in region around Bethlehem Fulfill Jeremiah 31:15
29	Flight into Egypt Herod dies Angel appears again to Joseph in Egypt Rise take child and his mother Go to Israel Those who sought life are dead He took child and Mother to Israel
30	Jesus in Nazareth Heard that Archelaus reigned in Judea in place of Herod Warned to withdraw to Galilee Settled in Nazareth He shall be called a Nazarene (Isa 11:1)
31	Nazarene Inhabitant of the Town of Nazareth Refers to "branch" rezen of David Line Cf. Isa 11:1 Refers to Nazirite vow that sets aside one as holy ryizan
32	Isaiah 1:3 The ox knows its owner, and the ass its master's crib; but Israel does not know, my people does not understand."
33	Jeremiah 31:15 Thus says the LORD: "A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are not."
34	Isaiah 11:1 There shall come forth a shoot [rezen] from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
35	The Ministry of John the Baptist
36	Ministry of John the Baptist Prophetic foreshadowing John speaks concerning himself John speaks concerning Jesus
37	John – Prophetic Foreshadowing All synoptics cite Mal 3:1; Ex 23:20 combined with Isa 40:3
38	John’s Ministry Appeared in the Desert, Baptizing Baptism of Repentance for forgiveness of sin Fulfillment of Isaiah 40:4-5 Appearance dressed camel’s hair garment leather girdle around his waste ate locusts and wild honey Preaches repentance
39	John Preaches on Jesus One coming after me ranks ahead of me The thong of whose sandal I am unworthy to untie John baptizes with water; Jesus will baptize in the holy spirit
40	Baptism of Jesus The Setting The “baptism” After John’s Protest The scene after the Baptism The sky opens The spirit descends The voice speaks You are my son Psalm 2:7 Messiah Beloved Gen 22:2 Isaac Fragmentary Targum on Gen 22:14 In whom pleased Isa 42:1 Servant
41	The Temptation Mark is very general Spirit leads Jesus into the desert In the desert 40 days Being tempted by Satan He was with the wild animals Angels ministered to him Matthew and Luke Flesh out narrative
42	The Temptation Matthew If you are the Son of God, turn stones to bread If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down All these things I will give you if you fall down and worship me Luke If you are the Son of God, turn stones to bread If you will worship me, all will be yours If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down
43	The Temptation All the while Jesus answers citing scripture Deut 8:3; Deut 6:16; Deut 6:13 Even Satan cites a little scripture Psalm 91:11-12 Entire Scene proves Jesus is the New Adam
44	The Temptation Bread and Temple are to prove he is who he says he is, the “son of God” Bread is to use power to satisfy own desires Temple is to test God World kingdoms temptation is a temptation to idolatry
45	Jesus begins his Minstry John arrested Jesus heads to Galilee Sets up headquarters in Capernaum Sea Territory of Zebulun and Napthali Fulfillment of Isaiah 8:23-9:1
46	Matt 24:37-44 Expectation of Christ in 2^nd Coming Supplement to Apocalyptic Discourse Exhortation to Watchfulness Apocalyptic virtue is u(pomo/nh “endurance” To “remain” “under” This is a Q tradition paralleling the Marcan exhortation to be watchful grhgorei=te Invokes the memory of Noah and the Flood
47	Matt 24:37-44 Son of Man will come suddenly and unexpectantly // the time of Noah People engaged in ordinary activities of life i.e. eating, drinking, marrying etc. Flood came and all changed Problem is people were unconcerned So also the coming of the Son of Man We (unlike the early Christians) are unconcerned about the 2^nd coming
48	Matt 24:37-44 So Matthew reminds us Watch, grhgorei=te be always watchful We do not know the time of the coming of the Son of Man Parable of the Prudent Householder If know the time thief will break in, you will watch and be ready. Therefore in face of this watch and be ready
49	Matthaean Themes Jesus Fulfillment of OT Formula Citation Midrashic Interpretation Matthew is “Jewish” Gospel Genealogy begins with Abraham Place of the Davidic line Jesus - sign of God’s presence among his people Cf. Matt 1:23 // Matt 28:20
50	Matthaean Themes The Ecclesiastical Gospel Matthew's concern for the Church Place of Peter Church Order Discourse The Kingdom of God Saying and Doing End of the Sermon on the Mount Parable of the Two Sons
51	Isaiah 8:23-9:1 But there will be no gloom for her that was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zeb'ulun and the land of Naph'tali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.