Matthew's Gospel is all about fulfillment. He uses that word more than any other Gospel writer and quotes the Old Testament 54 times, nearly double the others, to make one big point: Jesus is the Messiah Israel was waiting for and the Savior for everyone. He shows this two main ways. First, through prophecies coming true in Jesus. Second, through patterns where people or events in the Old Testament point forward to Him. And don't miss the bookends. Matthew opens (1:23) and closes (28:20) with the same promise, "I am with you always." That's the heart of it. Jesus is with you.

The first chapter of Matthew tells us about Jesus’ genealogy and His birth. Jesus’ birth changed our world forever. The thin veil between Heaven and Earth was pulled back, and God came near. Jesus’ Name literally means, “Salvation.” There is salvation for every person because of the grace we receive in Jesus. We have a personal God who loves us and who is near to us. Immanuel, “God with us.” Regardless of where you are or what you are going through, know that God is with you and He is for you. Jesus is here, and you are loved.

God has a plan for your life. We are all a part of God’s Redemptive Story. God created you and put you here at this time in History. As we embark on this journey through the Gospel of Matthew today, we see how everything in History is leading up to Jesus. Our lives and our stories are transformed in Him. If you do not yet know Jesus, then make today the day that changes your life forever. And, if you are a follower of Jesus, then let’s dive deeper into His Word and pass Him on to generations to come. Let’s leave a legacy for Christ and Christ alone.

It’s Easter! And, our Jesus is alive! King Jesus conquered death and has made a way for us to be forgiven and to experience eternal life. We know Easter is all about what Jesus did for us on the cross and the Resurrection. When we were dead in our sins, Jesus paid our price. Today, will you respond to the death, burial and Resurrection of Jesus by receiving Him in your heart and then following Him with your life? And, if you are already a Christian, then let Easter call you to worship our Risen Savior and to live every day for His glory. He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

King Jesus was crucified on the cross. The Crucifixion of Jesus on the Cross is the defining point of the world and of our lives. The cross is where we see God’s judgment on sin and His grace for us intersect. The cross demands a response. How will you respond to Jesus? Jesus paid the price for your sins. Will you receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and respond to Him today? Jesus paid it all for you on the cross. Let’s worship King Jesus.

Easter is all about Jesus. In our culture, Easter can become about a lot of things - Easter eggs, Easter bunnies, Easter clothes, Easter chocolates and so much more. But, ultimately the real reason we celebrate Easter is because of Jesus. The greatest miracle of all has happened, and we come to worship and celebrate our Savior. Jesus willingly gave His life for us. And, our world and our lives will never be the same. It’s Easter, and Jesus is alive! Let’s worship King Jesus!

The book of Judges shows a time when people simply did what felt right to them instead of following God’s truth. Throughout the Bible, God’s plan unfolds and ultimately points to Jesus as the one who can truly restore what is broken in our lives. Because culture can easily pull people away from God’s ways, believers are encouraged to guard their hearts and focus on what is good, true, and honoring to Him. Salvation isn’t something we earn, it comes through trusting in Jesus, who makes us right with God.

Boundaries are God’s way of preparing our character for His calling, but when we resist surrender and treat the holy as casual, we risk losing our way. Yet even in our deepest failures, we are not defined by our lack of strength, but by the redeeming grace of Jesus. Because of the cross, our story doesn’t end where we failed; it begins where He finished.