Memoirs of Jesus: A Study from the Book of Matthew

By Vaughn R. Gabbard

This book is based on the writings found in the gospel of Matthew with use of the King James Version. It is not intended to interpret the scriptures. If we were spiritually able to sit on the shoulders of Jesus as He walked this earth, we might understand the scriptures more clearly than we do today. The intent is to bring out the humanity and the spirituality of Jesus, side by side. We can see His emotions, feel His pain, and experience His love. Compassion describes the Man who came to this earth to show us how to live. Love describes the spirit of the Savior who laid His life down for you and me.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Apr 29, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456733247

Vaughn R. Gabbard

Reverend Vaughn R. Gabbard is devoted to teaching people how to see through the eyes of Jesus. He believes that if we can relate to one another through spiritual eyes, we can then better relate to one another through human emotions and ideas...and have a lot more compassion for others. Vaughn is an ordained minister through the Church of God of Anderson, Indiana. He has served twenty-five years working with youth, young adults, married couples, trustees, Sunday School teachers and classes, and preaching the gospel. He is currently the assistant pastor of Faith Christian Fellowship in Mason, Ohio, in addition to working full-time outside the church.

Book preview

1

MY LINEAGE

Who was on My family tree? Matthew traced My lineage back to Abraham-Isaaac- Jacob, down through King David, until eventually, My father Joseph.

So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

Joseph was engaged to be married to a young girl named Mary when they discovered she was carrying Me, even though they had not come together as of yet. Needless to say, at the onset, this was disturbing, unexpected news. My soon-to-be-dad thought he’d better start making plans to hide Us from the public for awhile, but My heavenly Father sent an angel to comfort him and provide guidance.

Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to marry Mary; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. She shall bring forth a son, and you should call His name JESUS: for he shall save His people from their sins.

My dad was reminded of the prophecy that had been told for many years, that a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Joseph was in awe that it would be his wife who would be that chosen virgin, and that it would be his son who would be Emmanuel! Nevertheless, his legacy of faith remained strong, and he continued with his plans to marry my Mother, Mary. He would be obedient, too, and name Me Jesus.

2

THE WISE SEEK AFTER ME

I can fully understand why people value ideas regarding what My first thoughts and perceptions of My surroundings might have been. I can tell you this much: I was blessed of God from the beginning. Sights and memories that were important to the will of God Almighty shall shine throughout My life forever.

As I recall, the very first thing I saw was holy angels embracing Me. They didn’t want to let Me go. I knew each of them by name. All of them acknowledged the will of My Father, though, and released Me after their heartfelt good-byes.

Next, when the last angel let go of Me, I saw My dad’s eyes gazing upon Me. He was the one who delivered Me into this world with the help of My heavenly family - a host of angels.

Quickly afterwards, I saw My mother. Her eyes were big, tearful, and lovingly piercing My heart. She was beautiful! I could sense her virtuousness as she lovingly brushed a warm tickle across My shoulders and arms with her fingertips. Tears were flowing from her eyes as she stared in awe at Me. Her mouth trembled with the praises uttering from her lips, with those wonderful tears of joy falling upon Me. Her love warmed Me and comforted Me, as did her innocence.

Looking back at these moments, My heart is moved because somehow, even then, I knew My journey had begun and things were swiftly developing to be different for Me than before. From this point forward, the world would never be the same. The plan from God the Father was in full force and moving swiftly forward. I would deliver souls from this world with the help of faithful men and women, much like Dad when he delivered Me into this world with help from the angels. No one would be able to stop it.

Mom and Dad were great. They were storybook parents. They lived life well, too. Dad was a hard worker, and Mom supported everything he did. He was a tremendous provider, and Mom was, too. Routine daily chores were all too common around town, and My parents were no different than anyone else with regards to these daily activities. They were busy people.

Secured in My mind, however, was a certain disturbance early in My life that occurred outside our home one sunny day. Mom and Dad were not sure what was going on. I sensed something was different. A phenomenon was happening. Strangers were approaching our home. The sound of it caused the animals outside to stir a bit. Usually, some desert creature would be scurrying around making the animals restless. That uncertain and unfamiliar sound, however, was the sound of camels swaying and men laughing and singing. They were strangers to Dad, but Mom had, in a short time, figured out who they were. Mom was amazing! She put the is in wisdom.

After a short while and much anticipation, I was relieved from what I felt just moments before. At first, I was uneasy with the commotion in and around our residence. Watching Mom frantically straightening the house up from My toys laying around and putting our family displays of entertainment in its place, made life interesting for a moment. She moved quickly and deliberately. I’d never seen her act quite like this before. However, thinking about how the day progressed, My heart was warmed by the recollection of that day and how I became aware of why My mom seemed so concerned about the appearance of her home. The entire event turned out great. I was happy because Mom was, too.

I recall when that group of men appeared at the front door seeking me. They were majestic in appearance; their faces were worn, yet stern. My Father revealed to Me in spirit that they were the wisest in all the earth that He chose to use for My benefit. He instructed their presence to welcome Me into this world. They gazed into My soul as if they knew Me. Afterward, they impulsively bowed down to Me and on behalf of My Father. I recognized in My spirit that this was their form of worship because of the peace of God that surrounded us. I was fully familiar with worship. It just seemed natural. What an awesome, cherishing sight that was! My parents were beside themselves, truly honored that grown men would think so highly of their firstborn son.

Mom and Dad grinned from ear to ear. They were happy. My mother was treated as a queen. By their use of gestures and humbled communication in the form of praise from these great men, as well as the reference of good fortune and blessings to her with immense words of adoration, it became obvious. My dad was also being overwhelmed with kindness and love; this was regal in itself. He deserved it, too!

Both Mom and Dad gained great resolve that day, right there in our home, as the scriptures became clear to them.

Gifts were given in honor of My Heavenly Father and to Me both for life and for My burial. I was actually aware of that, as My spirit received them. As a toddler, I didn’t fully recognize that these gifts could and would probably also sustain the family for the trying times we were about to encounter, as Mom and Dad were thinking out loud. I would learn the depths of that later.

These astute men knew exactly why I had arrived, and they began letting the public know. The smell of incense and myrrh filled the air. This was no discounted event; rather, this was priceless!

No one seemed to notice the natural odor of the camels outside or that all too familiar scent of being outdoors; nor did they notice the elements of the desert on the travelers from their expedition. No one paid any attention to the sand filled floors.

Mom was relaxed and did not concern herself with the way the house looked. Worship was taking precedence. It was the Lord who was the center of attention, not the surroundings. With that being said, it is from here that I will take you on My life’s journey as I intend to record all of the important factors leading toward eternal life.

Sometime, around My second birthday, I remember My dad rushing to get us up to go somewhere. The night seemed surreal, and yet, I have devoted to memory most everything that occurred that evening and into the early hours of morning.

Getting the camels watered and fed was done earlier, but wondering if they were well rested weighed heavily on Dad’s heart. There was very little water in the desert. Sand dunes were everywhere. I can remember getting glimpses of it all between My interrupted sleep.

After dark, there was something special about the calm of the night air. First of all, it was a relief from the heat of the day. Although I was very young, I did notice how soft My mom’s hands were at night time. She always seemed more rested in the evening than in her usual routine of the day. She made me feel safe. When people were relaxed, everything seemed to run more smoothly.

That night, amidst the tumult, there was an authentic peace about her. Even though she tried hard to keep the stress of the moment from Me, I shared her hidden pressure. We journeyed all night. I slept for most of the trip on and off. When I did awake, My mother just smiled and kissed My forehead, followed by, I love you, Son. Wow! Memories were good.

At the end of our travels I arose to different surroundings. The people’s dress and the general environment seemed to be far removed from what I was accustomed. I looked around for familiar sites. There were none. Most of the men and women, even the children, dressed in noticeably proper attire than what I felt were usual. They were clean, strong, and healthy looking. Some of their heads had the appearance of having bands of brass or gold bound around them. Others, in the distance looked rugged, dirty, and down trodden. I didn’t know what to make of that. Later, I found out they were laborers in the field as well as the poor.

With My natural inquisitive self, I noticed also how it seemed like the more educated businessmen wore cropped beards and were very well groomed. The women appeared to have darkened eyes to match their hair.

Buildings were large and the roads were broad, cleared of debris. I was somewhere far away from home, perhaps very far. I knew that much. Later, as we moved forward in time, I came to grasp that we were residing in Egypt.

I came to learn more of this place as time progressed. If memory serves Me well, I can recall hearing someone having a conversation with Dad. I learned how Egypt was concentrated along the lower scopes of the Nile River. Irrigation was properly controlled and, while mixed with the lush and fruitful soil in that region, the country thrived prosperously. With this knowledge, I could imagine how the whole world would one day benefit from their knowledge and their very social culture.

My young childhood had its adventures while there. I looked a little different from the others and some treated Me strangely. In time, I would learn words like prejudice and hatred. Most, however, treated Me very kindly.

Although there was evidence of prejudice and discrimination, most everyone received Mom and Dad with respect and spoke highly of both. Reminiscence became a real ability of Mine. I can recall, for example, behaviors and attitudes of that era, as well as their culture.

As a child, I was able, very quickly, to notice haughty hearts. I noticed it in the children, but later figured out that most of them learned arrogance and self-importance from their parents. There were those who actually thought they knew everything. I could tell because nobody could say anything to them without some instant retort thrown right back into their faces. I discovered that it was not that they were very bad people; just needed to feel more special than others. Later on in My years, I came to realize that they had low self-esteem.

It was obvious to Me that some were kind, yet needy. Those who would go out of their way to do everything in the world for another managed to somehow lack confidence in their own self-worth.

Others seemed humble and gentle. They would usually get taken advantage of. I discerned, when given the opportunity, I will have to disallow that type of behavior one day. I will be the example of respect and love.

Spirituality was common as well. I saw many praying hard daily for others and their families while many ignored God altogether. On the other hand, superstition overcame most of the society. The wearing of charms and bracelets were common-place.

All of the behaviors I noticed were with a great diversity of spirits, mannerisms, and attitudes. Feuds occurred occasionally; as did persecutions, fightings, and battles. Nevertheless, I was in good hands with My mom and dad. They loved My Father.

I remember when Dad told Mom that we could go back home. It was surreal to Me. I strongly desired to keep his words and the feelings that I felt in My mind and in My heart with regards to that day. We were picking up to move just as I was becoming contented with the culture in which I was living. I managed to make a few friends but found Myself mainly observing the adults.

I learned about the terrible hatred and temper of Herod the king. Once I heard he tried to fool the wise men who came to visit us, as to My whereabouts. He sought to kill Me. Since he didn’t really know where I was, he chose to slaughter every young boy from age two and younger.

There was a special place in heaven for those innocent boys; they were right where God the Father can keep an eye on them and provide life and peace everlasting. One day every righteous person will get the opportunity to meet them.

God placed a special sense of relief in My heart that day, though. I respected My dad so much when I came to know the reason we were moving. I later found that it was My Heavenly Father who told dad in a dream to take Mom and Me away for our protection. The place we were currently at was only a temporary safe haven at best, but My dad gave up everything for us. He had a trade as a worker with wood, and he walked away from it in order to start all over again in a different country.

I will always love him for that and for acting by faith and in full belief to the will of My Father. What love he bestowed on Mom and Me when he made the decision to follow the Father! I don’t think that every parent would give up their own lifestyles for the sake of their families. My dad was an awesome dad!

Somewhere along the journey back home, Dad received some startling news. Apparently, King Herod’s son was reigning as king now. Dad was directed to go to Nazareth. Therefore, we began a new life there and started afresh, again.

Now I saw My dad as Super Dad. I learned, in hindsight, that godly dads were examples and imitations of who I needed to be one day for mankind. I would deny Myself for those that I love, just like My dad did for Me. What an awesome lesson I learned!

Nazareth was only a small village of less than a couple hundred people living there. Agriculture was their method of living. It was pretty much out-of-the-way from the rest of the world. Its climate was very diverse, and the clouds would come and go with little to no rainfall. The winter months were cooler, but never cold, even in the mountains.

As the years went by I meditated on God’s Holy Word and My dad’s actions. I would reflect on My mom’s love and resolve when it came to taking care of Me. I was number one in her heart. She loved My dad very much and accepted his values with God to be of utmost priority. I want a bride to be just like Mom!

My Father and My dad revealed to Me, and confirmed, the hearts of man during these years when we spent long days and comfortable evenings together. Family was such a valuable possession.

Now I understand why I noticed so much and remember all of it. I was captivated and drawn to every word that was spoken and read into the expressions from a heavenly perspective. There was a real threat to the souls of man, and I was being prepared to do something about it. Visions of having been with My Father were coming back to Me so clearly.

I detected by all of this that by being awestruck with holiness was a wonderful mentor in and of itself. Living right encouraged Me while I was growing up, and it excited Me by way of preparation for My mission both now and ahead of Me.

I think sometimes about the other side of how people choose not to live right; the discouragement and lack of preparation toward heavenly goals they must face. It has to be haunting to their souls. Selfishness has its own results, usually devastating. I avoided that and worked on loving others enough to change them.

I envision the future of the world. Distress and shock will be overwhelmingly abundant as time marches on. Demoralization of human dignity and integrity will take its course and run rampant throughout the earth.

I perceive that through the years to come, there will not be dads like mine. Instead, there will be fathers who will abandon their children. There will be husbands who will separate from their families and destroy their children’s childhood memories.

The fascination of the children in those families will turn to a different influence in which most will be harmful to their souls. Many of these children will be robbed of possibilities and potential. A lot of offspring will never know what normal family lives will ever feel like. Most will grow up not having a clue as to how to be a parent, especially, a good, godly parent.

Some fathers and some mothers, individually and together, will even hurt their children. Moms will deny their kids nourishment for their own selfish pleasures. Dads will take off to do their own thing; despair will prevail, overcoming all man’s good intentions to change.

Personal desire will win through in their hearts, because they will feel they deserve it. The children in future societies will grow up angry and hateful. Some will harm their own moms and dads, as well as others. The world was going to be in a major mess.

As God the Father revealed these things to me, I foreknew that one day in the not so distant future, it would be a generation like this that would hang Me on a cross for crucifixion.

I heard Mom and Dad reading the Word of God one evening, and they said, There is nothing new under the sun. I can see that now. It will be these types of people and generations like them that provide Me the determination to willfully give My life on their behalf, for there was no other way.

Getting back to our entrance to Nazareth, in time we did begin to fit in to our surroundings and Mom and Dad brought new life into the family. I had brothers and sisters to play with. I took on the responsibility of representing God the Father as a role model for them to grow up like; also, I was a big brother. During these years of My life while growing up, I learned a lot and kept it all in My heart. I was able to influence My siblings very well.

While I was increasing in stature, I can remember when My family, like everyone else of that day, going to Jerusalem. In fact, we went on that journey annually.

The caravans were fun to hang around as a young man because there was so much excitement. I had the privilege of seeing great landmarks and high mountains along the way. Chores were not very bad, either. We would all make it fun as we did most work together.