As we prepare for Holy Week, we will examine Matthew’s crucifixion account. 

Matthew gives us very little information about the physical sufferings of Jesus. There is little about blood, beatings, or flayed flesh. We can imagine it, but Matthew’s focus is elsewhere. He focuses primarily on the mockery Jesus endured. And the primary way he…

The Lord’s prayer paints a vision of life in God’s family. That life has three parts: a life of devotion, a life of dependence, and a life of danger.  Jesus teaches us to pray daily that we will be delivered from evil. This is a plea for protection. But in our comfortable routines of life, we do…

Jesus began his public ministry with one of the most famous sermons ever delivered: the Sermon on the Mount. And here, beginning in chapter 23 is Jesus’ final sermon. As I study this section, I am amazed at the beautiful balance of Matthew’s gospel. This final sermon is almost exactly the same length as the…

Matthew 23 / The Most “Un-Christian” chapter in the Bible?  Matthew 23 is a challenging chapter. In this chapter, Jesus, God’s mighty prophet, calls down seven woes upon the religious leaders of his day. They were diverting people from Jesus and keeping people from the kingdom of God. The “pitch” of Jesus’s prophetic critique is…

Four big questions arise in Matthew 22:15-46.  Three are asked of Jesus and one is asked by Jesus.  The three questions asked of Jesus are meant to trip him up and trap him.   But what they meant for evil, God uses for good.  The questions are:  It is amazing how timely these questions are. …

Throwing Punches and Painting Pictures Part 2 One of the central questions of Matthew’s gospel is, Who belongs to the true poeple of God?  Or, to put it another way, Who will enter the kingdom of God?  The three parables from 21:28-22:14 teach us three things about entering the kingdom of God:  All three of the parables…

In our text this week, we have a clash of authorities.  Jesus is in a battle.  A verbal battle.  A theological battle.  A spiritual battle.  Of course, there is no physical violence here, but make no mistake, this is a battle. The key question is one of authority. Over the next two chapters, Jesus will…

Learning to Listen We live in a world of non-stop chatter. Chatter on the TV, chatter on the radio, chatter coming through your earbuds, and chatter in your mind. Today, airing your opinion is seen as a form of courage and health, and it matters more than listening. Talking continually is valued more than listening…

Matthew 21-23 focuses on the central issues of life. In 20:29-21:17, we have three encounters and three stories that teach us the most important thing in life: who is Jesus, and what does it mean to follow him?  There is no more serious issue than this.  Starting in Matthew 20 and moving through 21:17, Matthew…