Of all the places God could have sent Joseph, Mary, and Jesus to escape King Herod, why Egypt? Looking into this story in Matthew chapter two more closely, we find encouraging insight about those times when we seem to be in a spiritual "desert." Though we cannot see it, our situation somehow fits God's master plan.

Matthew begins his Gospel with a genealogy of Jesus neatly divided into three parts of 14 generations each. But this is obviously inaccurate, according to the precise historical facts. What is Matthew doing? He is pointing us to trust God as the good Father who is able to keep his promises no matter what.

For centuries,  the Jews anticipated the revelation of the next king to sit on David's throne. In the Gospel of Matthew, we learn that Jesus is that one that had been promised. This is great news for the whole world.

In the light of Jesus's cross, we see clearly that God the Father is faithful to his promises. We can trust him with our lives forever.

Mike Sickenger, one of our elders, shares about how faith in Jesus is important to all of life.

The Light of the Cross, Lesson 1.
The Sun defines our solar system by its light in which so many parts become visible. Also, the Sun defines our solar system by the force of its gravity, which holds everything together in their relative orbits as a system. In a similar way, the message of justification--the good news of the cross of Jesus of Nazareth--defines everything that faithful Christians must believe.

Mark 16:1-8
Mark's story about Jesus' resurrection ends with the primary witnesses of his death, burial, and resurrection scared speechless. Yet, when we think about it, Mark's story calls each of us to live fearlessly in the light of Jesus' authority over all things.

Mark 15:6-15
Mark describes a scene in which Jesus' fate of crucifixion is determined. But there is a problem. Pilate, the Roman governor, still sees Jesus as innocent. Why, then, are the crowds, the chief priests of the Jews, and Pilate himself so determined to commit such a great injustice? To execute an innocent man? Though Jesus remains silent and passive throughout this scene, the answer to this question comes by understanding what Jesus knew was happening behind the scene. Jesus' example teaches us to rely on God's strength to stand against the invisible powers motivating injustices in our time.

Mark 14:53-65
Jesus was arrested and given an initial "trial" at the house of the high priest. It was a kangaroo court. They had a verdict and were searching for evidence to back it up. There was no evidence available until Jesus provided it for them with his confession: "I am" the Christ, the Son of God.
That would not be the last time that the ungodly world system would condemn a Christian for the good confession of the Christian faith. Today, we can feel the pulse of a new time of trouble for Christians in America. Marxism has suddenly emerged in a variety of forms, all with a common spirit: the destruction of American society, traditions, and values--especially the destruction of Christianity.
On trial for his life, because of his faithful service to the Father, Jesus provides an example of how we--his disciples--should respond in our own approaching crisis. He teaches us how to fight like The Lamb.