Posts with the category “book-of-matthew”

Disciples are more than people who have prayed to accept Christ. That is really just the beginning. Once the ‘Amen’ is said, there needs to be learning, living and sharing to become a disciple.  Read More

As I delve into the details of Jesus' suffering on the cross, I am struck by the sheer scale of his sacrifice. The depth of his love, which fueled his endurance of such a barbaric ordeal, is truly inspiring. It's truly astounding to consider how someone who is fully God and fully human, the King of Kings, Lord of lords, and King of the universe, could willingly endure such immense suffering and shame.  Read More

This passage draws a striking contrast between Jesus' innocence and the sin of everyone else. Judas declared Jesus innocent. Pilate recognized the accusations against Jesus were unfounded and motivated by envy.  Read More

Jesus’ trial is just another story about how the powerful and the liars win. Position and influence are more important than truth. The “powers that be” in this account are fueled by self-righteousness, anger, and hatred.  Read More

Failing can sometimes be a good thing because it reminds us that we need help and we don’t have it all together, were not perfect and we need God. Peter thought he had it together and he thought he could do a great work for God by himself, in the flesh (his own physical power) as did all the other disciples.  Read More

Jesus used the bread and the cup at the Passover meal as symbols of his death in order to show that he was fulfilling a number of OT passages and events.   Read More

It is interesting that the decision point for entry to heaven is how we live, not the mere fact of us “knowing Jesus as Savior.”  Read More

Jesus has expectations of us to manage well everything we are entrusted with. He does not force us. We have free will. But one day we will answer for our stewardship.  Read More

This chapter begins with a discussion between Jesus and his disciples about the Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus prophesied that the temple would be destroyed. The disciples followed up with a question about the timing of Jesus’ return and the end of the age; the time of God’s final judgment.  Read More

It is possible to be orthodox in our beliefs about God and be diligently engaged in religious practices, spiritual disciplines, and moral behaviors without being a true Christian.  Read More

The Triumphal Entry has taken place. Jesus has been in the Temple in Jerusalem teaching and healing people. The Sadducees and the Pharisees are doing their best to test Jesus with their questions.   Read More

If you realize people are trying to force you into a tight predicament by asking a question that they are not interested in the real answer, we need to be slow to give an answer, sometimes praying and being mindful of how we say things can make a world of difference.  Read More

The reading for today consists mainly of two parables of Jesus. They are both directed at the Pharisees and Chief Priests. The first parable compares the actions of two sons. The first son expressed an unwillingness to obey his father initially but he changed his mind and obeyed the father’s instructions, but never followed through obedient actions.  Read More

MATTHEW 21:18-27SCRIPTURE HIGHLIGHTS: Vs 22 - And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Vs 27 - So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. OBSERVATIONS:Jesus was hungry and went over to a fig tree, found no fruit on it and then pronounced a curse on it and the tree died. This is a curious ...  Read More

The first 11 verses of Matthew 21 are called The Triumphal Entry. This event of the life of Christ is one of the few events that are found in all 4 Gospels. So we can conclude that this is a significant event not only to the people who were there but to us today as well.   Read More

All those invited to God's kingdom receive equal blessings according to God's grace and will. Therefore, we should revere God's grace and will and lead our actions and attitudes with trust and obedience.   Read More

Who gets into the kingdom of heaven? This passage has a contrast between children who are welcomed and blessed by Jesus and a young man who goes away disappointed.  Read More

The Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus by having Him choose sides in a theological argument about divorce. The two schools of thought which represented two opposing views of divorce.   Read More

We are to be persistent when seeking reconciliation; if our first private attempt fails, we should include 2-3 fellow Christian to get the facts straight. If that fails, we should involve the church.  Read More

Paul challenges us to take on the humility of Christ in Philippians 2:3-11.  Read More

Matthew 17:1-13SCRIPTURE HIGHLIGHT4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”12 But I tell you that Elijah has al...  Read More

What we believe about Jesus is important. We cannot claim to be Christians unless we are willing to accept that Jesus is who he revealed himself to be.  Read More

The Pharisees and Sadducees wanting to test Jesus reminds me of the temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4. “Prove yourself!” In that passage Jesus tells them, “Don’t test the Lord your God.” Here he says, “You’re clever enough to look at the sky and predict the weather, but you’re too thick to see what’s right in front of your eyes.”  Read More

A Canaanite woman comes to Jesus requesting him to heal/deliver her daughter who was under the control of a demon. The fact that she was a Canaanite is important because Canaanites were enemies of Israel historically.  Read More

We must be careful that our best intentions don’t undermine the commands of God. We need to know we can be unschooled and be called by God to be told his secrets and intentions.   Read More

There was a severe storm in the middle of the night. It was 3 am in the morning, and the disciples had toiled all night long. They were tired, and terrified. Then they saw a man walking on water toward them, and they panicked. . .   Read More

We see that Herod misused his authority to fulfill the wicked desires of evildoers. In contrast, Jesus used His authority with compassion and love, meeting the spiritual and physical needs of His people.  Read More

This passage comes in context of many other parables of the kingdom of heaven…wheat and weeds, mustard seeds. Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is like discovering treasure that’s been buried.   Read More

There are no participation trophies here. Just Haves and Have Nots. You get some, more, or lots. Or nothing at all.  Read More

At first glance it may seem as if Jesus maybe neglecting His natural family but upon further observation what Jesus is really doing is redefining the true definition of the family of God.   Read More

Jesus is such a beautiful and powerful savior! It is amazing how he fulfilled the promise of God to send his servant who would demonstrate true justice, care for the broken and hurting, and give his life as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. I love the picture of Jesus as the one who “will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle.”   Read More

This passage deals with the Pharisees' attempts to exploit the law in order to charge Jesus with sin. Jesus exposed the shameful and despicable manner in which they perverted the heart of the Sabbath commandment by turning it into a vehicle of oppression rather than as a blessing to God’s people.  Read More

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation].  Read More

John has questions for Jesus- Are you the one who is to come or should we look for another?   Read More

SCRIPTURE READING: MATTHEW 10:26-42SCRIPTURE HIGHLIGHTS:10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”  10:31 “Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”10:38-39 “And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his...  Read More

“Therefore, be wise as snakes and innocent as doves.” How wise are snakes? How innocent are doves? What a strange thing to say!  Read More

Matthew 9:27-38SCRIPTURE HIGHLIGHT35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but...  Read More

The success of our faith is not in what we believe but in whom we believe. Not the prayer warriors getting a prayer through but in the one they are calling on to intercede.  Read More

The religious leaders (Pharisees) complained that Jesus was eating with people who were known for their sinful conduct. Eating with people who lived immoral lives in open violation of the Jewish law was considered to defile the “righteous” person. Eating together was a sign of unity with and approval of those you were eating with.  Read More

Jesus issued a pronouncement that sins of the paralytic were forgiven. Jesus was clearly not forgiving him of a personal offense against himself, but declaring that his sins were forgiven by God.  Read More