February 13, 2023
‘At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”’ (Matthew 27:46 NLT). This is one of the seven last sayings of Jesus from the cross. The apostle Matthew recorded them in the original Aramaic that Jesus spoke, followed
February 11, 2023
“But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent” (Matthew 27:12 NLT). The Roman governor, Pontius Pilate marveled greatly at Jesus’s silence in the face of His accusers. Surely he had judged and condemned many a man, but never one like this. Who was this man that stood
February 10, 2023
“But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scripture” (Matthew 26:56 NLT). On the night of Christ’s betrayal and arrest, He ordered His disciples not to resist. For He said that what was happening was according to the Scriptures. Hearing this, the disciples deserted Him and ran
February 8, 2023
“I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed” (Matthew 26:13 NLT). What Jesus said is true. Wherever the gospel is preached, the story of this woman’s extravagant generosity towards Jesus is told. For she had approached Jesus with “an alabaster flask
February 7, 2023
“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise” (Matthew 25:1-2 NLT). It appears that the parable of the ten bridesmaids was given by Jesus to his disciples in a private setting, as a further
February 4, 2023
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me” (Matthew 23:37 NLT). Jesus grieved over Jerusalem and its people’s rejection of Him. How He wanted to gather
February 3, 2023
“The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matthew 23:11-12 NLT). Jesus not only taught, but modeled the art of servant leadership. He showed that true greatness was not about exalting oneself, but being humble enough to wash another’s
January 29, 2023
“But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then” (Matthew 19:30 NLT). After a rich young ruler came to Jesus asking what good thing he must do to have eternal life, the Lord told him to sell his possessions, give
January 25, 2023
“From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be
January 20, 2023
“Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” (Matthew 13:43 NLT). Christ’s parable of the wheat and tares concluded with this: “The righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom.” In other words, those who denied their own righteousness and