Matthew
Anger is Murder in The Heart
Jesus said that He had come to fulfill the law (v. 17). Where the law had turned into legalism, Jesus took the law beyond outward observance and showed the real spiritual intention of God. The Law is (1) permanent so long as the universe exists and (2) the measure of your status in Godās kingdom …
Peterās Confession
Jesus traveled to the region of Caesarea Philippi (v. 13) where Baal and Augustus Caesar were worshipped as gods. Jesus used questions to teach His disciples. On this occasion, He asked, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Jesus has no interest in dispassionate, hypothetical views …
The Time of The Lord’s Return
When the fig tree buds, and the leaves begin to sprout you know that summer is near (v. 32). The same is true with the events that begin to happen here; you can know that the Lordās return is very near (vv. 33-34). No one knows the day or hour when the heavens and earth will disappear …
The Transfiguration
At the close of Jesus’ sermon on “cross-bearingĆ¢ā¬Ā in the previous chapter He promised that some of the disciples would “see the son of man coming in His kingdomĆ¢ā¬Ā (Matt. 16:28). He chose Peter, James and John as witnesses to this event. This text does not say fo …
A Right Attitude in Service
Jesus told a parable in which a landowner, during the period of grape harvest, had need of extra laborers, so he kept going out and hiring additional workers throughout the day (vv. 1-7). Early in the morning he hired workers who insisted on a contract and agreed to work for a penny a day …
The Need For Laborers
As Jesus continued to travel, two blind men followed Him and acknowledge Him as the Son of David (vv. 27-31). We are not told why these men were blind, but blindness was prevalent in the Mideast in that day. These men were persistent as they followed Him into the house where He was …
Do Not Worry About Your Life
A common error of Judaism was to regard material wealth as always indicating the blessing of God. The book of Proverbs promises material blessings to those who honor God’s financial principles, but it does not imply that all wealth is a necessary sign of blessing. It is not wrong to …
The Preaching of John the Baptist
In Matthew’s account of Jesus’ life here on earth he skips over the next 30 years or so and picks up with an introduction of John the Baptist (vv. 1-6). John is presented as the prophet sent in the spirit of Elijah ābefore the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lordā (Mal. 4:5). He was …
Parable of The Wedding Party
This parable is not to be confused with the parable of the great supper (Luke 14:16-24). The period described here must be after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Father is still inviting the people of Israel to come, despite what they did to His Son. The king …
Jesus Heals an Epileptic Boy
As Jesus came down from the mountain to the crowd, He found embarrassed disciples and a needy father and son. The father had brought his epileptic, demon possessed son to the disciples begging them to deliver him, but they couldn’t (vv. 14-16). Jesus rebuked the crowd (which included the …