If you missed last night's bible study, you didn't miss much - I mean you didn't miss many verses. We didn't get very far into Matthew's Gospel.
As we talked, one participant or another kept asking questions about this verse or that. We realized how compact the story is and how much is contained in every reference.
Take the verse which informs us that, upon learning that Mary is with child, Joseph decides to deal quietly with the issue. First, he learns that she is expecting a child before he has the dream in which more of the story is revealed to him. Second, in making this decision, he is also deciding to set aside the Law. The Law called for execution of an unfaithful bride. The stage is set for the conflict between those who would turn to the Law and those who would live out mercy and compassion.
When you pick up a bible, you think, "This is a thick book. Surely there is some fluff in there." And, there might be. But little of it. Each book of the Bible is a wonder to experience. Each chapter written for a purpose. Each verse rich with meaning and insight. Most of the time, I read my bible looking for the big picture. What a joy it is to sit with others and mine each line for all it is worth. I hope that you make time in the course of your day to do just a little bit of digging.
Pastor Chris
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