The Sermon on the Mount describes what human life and human community look like when they come under the gracious rule of God. Jesus emphasises that his true followers, the citizens of God’s kingdom, were to be entirely different from others. They were not to take their cue from the people around them, but from Him, and so prove to be genuine children of their heavenly Father. They were to shine like lights in the prevailing darkness. Their righteousness was to exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, both in ethical behaviour and religious devotion, while their love was to be greater and their ambition nobler than those of their pagan neighbours.

Some thirty years have passed between chapters 2 and 3 of Matthew, during which Jesus lived in Nazareth and worked as a carpenter (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3). But the time had come for Him to begin His public ministry, which would culminate at the cross. Was He still qualified to be King? Had anything taken place that would disqualify Him? In this passage we see how John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit and the Father attest to the person of Jesus Christ.

In verse 38, we see that Mary was obedient to God. Jesus himself was obedient to God, which is why we meet together today. The course of Mary's life was changed by God. She would have faced hard circumstances but she trusts the Word of God and is joyful that He is using her to bring the Saviour into the world. When we follow God, His plans will bring joy when we are obedient to Him.

Ezra has been in Babylon but has now come to Jerusalem. The Temple is built, but the worship seems ritualistic and not from the heart. Is our experience of faith just routine or a deep and growing relationship with God? Ezra is devoted to the Law but also devoted to God. The Pharisees were devoted to the Law but not God. What makes up our lives? Are we consumed by God's Word?

The altar has been rebuilt but work had stopped for 16 years by the beginning of this chapter in Ezra. We are told God spoke to Cyrus, but not that God spoke to the Jews. God often prompts us step by step, through His word, other people and circumstances. When the prophets speak, it is God speaking. God often sent them when things were not going well, for warning the people and encouraging them. It was through the prophet Haggai that the people heard and obeyed the voice of God and began to work again on the temple. The Jews are building under God's leading and direction. We are servants of the God of heaven and earth and we must hear, obey and trust in Him.