January 26, 2024
“Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20 ESV). When the disciples asked why they had been unable
January 22, 2024
‘Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”’ (Matthew 14:31 ESV). In the fourth watch of the night, which was between 3 and 6 AM, the disciples labored to cross the Galilee against a strong headwind, when they were terrified
January 21, 2024
“At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus” (Matthew 14:1 ESV). This was Herod the “tetrarch” (“ruler of a quarter”), not Herod the Great. He was one of the sons of Herod the Great, and was better known as Herod “Antipas” (“anti + pater” meaning “against the father”). After the death
January 20, 2024
‘He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened”‘ (Matthew 13:33 ESV). Jesus often spoke in parables when describing the kingdom of heaven. In this parable, He compared it to leaven. Leaven is an ingredient, typically
January 17, 2024
“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope” (Matthew 12:20-21 ESV). The Spirit inspired Matthew to quote the Messianic prophecy from Isaiah 42:3 as being fulfilled in Jesus. For the type of justice and
January 13, 2024
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36 ESV). When Jesus looks at us, what does He see? He sees a world of people who are “harassed and helpless.” What is His response? He has “compassion” for us because we
January 12, 2024
“Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matthew 9:13 ESV). When the Pharisees asked why Jesus ate with sinners, He answered them with a common rabbinic response, “Go and learn.” For rabbis were known for sending their students back to
January 11, 2024
‘And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”’ (Matthew 8:27 ESV). At first the disciples were afraid of the storm outside the boat, then they feared the One inside the boat. “What sort of man is this?” They wondered. He demonstrates authority over both the
January 7, 2024 | Matthew 4:18-22
Our world has gotten overwhelming and complicated. Everything in your life takes up space. Whether it’s mental space, physical space, relational space or calendar space, you only have so much room.
How can we make space in our lives for what really matters? What if there was one singular and simple secret for having less useless and harmful clutter in your life and having more space for a better life? In the book of Matthew, Jesus called His disciples by simply saying, “Follow me.” Jesus called them to a relationship with Him that would lead them into full and abundant life, a better life. Of course, this meant leaving many other things behind. Jesus makes this same simple call to us. How do we answer His call?
September 24, 2023 | Matthew 5:10-16 |
Every committed Christ-follower will face persecution. It’s inevitable wherever light and darkness intersect. Yet, we don’t have to be afraid. We can even live out a blessed life and be a blessing when persecuted.
In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus taught His disciples how to be a blessing even when people persecuted them for following Him. We can be a blessing even when we’re persecuted for following Jesus.