Category: The New Testament

Can you imagine standing on a mountain with Jesus and suddenly seeing Him glowing with heavenly brilliance? That’s exactly what happened to Peter, James, and John in Matthew 17. Jesus takes them up a high mountain, and right before their eyes, He is transfigured. His face shines like the sun, His clothes become dazzlingly white,… Read more

Have you ever caught yourself asking God for a sign? “Lord, if You want me to do this, give me a clear sign.” Or, “God, if You’re really with me, show me something undeniable.” It’s not unusual to want reassurance, but in Matthew 16, Jesus has some strong words for people who demand signs. The… Read more

Have you ever felt weighed down: trying to meet other people’s expectations or live by rules that seemed to miss the point? In Matthew 15, Jesus addresses something similar. The Pharisees confront Him, upset because His disciples aren’t following their tradition of washing hands before eating. To us, that might sound like nitpicking, but for… Read more

Can we think of a time when confusion and misunderstanding led us to a devastatingly incorrect conclusion? Do we ever get an idea into our heads about how the world works, only to discover how wrong we were? Here in Matthew chapter 14 there seems to be a lot of that being displayed. Herod Antipas,… Read more

Our reading today opens with a series of parables: What is the focus and message of those stories? Who is Matthew attempting to influence? More importantly, why is Jesus using parables? “And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.” (Matthew 13:58 NIV) Matthew concludes this chapter with a sobering… Read more

“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man… Read more

Do we “pick and choose” details we share when we are working to convince people to accept our perspectives on a matter? So far in our readings through the book of Matthew, which details have we been given? What purpose is driving Matthew in his unveiling of Jesus? Read this chapter with those questions in… Read more

Did you ever go to a circus or watch a talent show where a performer put plates on rods and started them spinning? Their whole act was keeping those plates spinning. What is the purpose of all those spinning plates? Have our lives served a singular purpose? How many jobs have you held? How many… Read more

“Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.’” (Matthew 9:2 NIV) This chapter gives us a glimpse into Jesus’ incredible authority and His deep understanding of our greatest need. The need for forgiveness and… Read more

“A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.” (Matthew 8:2-3 NIV) In Matthew 8, we encounter one of the… Read more