MATTHEW 28 Three days after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary" (most likely Mary of Clopas referenced in John 19:25) went to the tomb where His body was being kept. While they were there, an earthquake occurred as an angel of the Lord came and rolled back the stone in front of the tomb. Some people think that the angel did this so that ...

Matthew 27 As I read Matthew 27 I am struck by the contrast and the agony of two individuals, Judas and Jesus. One deceives and the other is deceived. Both are pursued by the Jewish leaders, but one for what he can do for them and the other for what He is doing to them. One can't forgive himself, the other forgives his killers. One accomplishes work for the earthly rule...

Matthew 26 What does your worship cost you? Many times when we think about "worship," we think about the music during the worship service. We think about it as a specific action we take at a specific time. But really, worship is any thought, word or action, which attributes our admiration and respect for something. Usually we associate worship with religion, but really...

Matthew 25 A few days ago we read this sober warning by Jesus in Matthew chapter 7: (Matthew 7:21-23)"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mig...

From the ESV Study Bible 24:114 The Beginning of Birth Pains. Jesus previews the general conditions of the earth, which in some sense characterize the entire age, before he returns: sufferings throughout the world (vv. 48), the suffering of his disciples (vv. 913), and the preaching of the gospel to all nations (v. 14). 24:3 The disciples ask two questions: (1) when ...

Matthew 23 As I read through Matthew 23, I can't help but feel convicted and that if there is ever a place I need to guard my heart, it's the message of this chapter. A little disclosure here, I completely believe with all of my heart, mind, and soul that ALL of scripture is God-breathed, Spirit-inspired, and majestically beautiful, but with this section of scripture I ...

Matthew 22 Jesus tackles some big issues in the week between His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and his Via Dolorosa - the way of grief - His path to the cross. This is His detractors' last shot at Him and He addresses issues close to their heart - regarding who is saved, how to relate to the rulers of this world, the nature of heaven, the essence of the Law, and the exis...

Matthew 22 In Mathew 22 Jesus uses a wedding banquet parable to describe the kingdom of heaven. Life on earth can be filled with business and distractions that prevent us from attending a feast with our King. God seeks us and desires to celebrate with us, but we often turn a cold shoulder because of our shortsighted focus on the present. As I reflect on my own life and ...

MATTHEW 21 When we think about Jesus there are many images, which immediately come to mind. Around Easter time we usually spend a lot of time think about either the Cross or the Resurrection. If you teach children's ministry maybe the image that comes to mind involves Jesus in a perfectly white robe with a red sash surrounded by children. If you like to party a bit, may...

Matthew 19 Hard Teachings "If this is the case of a husband with a wife, it is better not to marry!""[If this is how hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God,] then who can be saved?" There are "hard teachings" in this chapter... So hard that it made Jesus' disciples question whether they'd heard him right. So hard that books have been written dealing...