49 Matthew 9:14-17 Fasting, cloth & wine skins

49 Matthew 9:14-17 Fasting, cloth & wine skins

In these stories, Jesus challenges the religious culture and practices of the Pharisees, not the Old Testament. His understanding is so fundamentally incompatible with the Pharisees that if he tried to reform their their views, he would only destroy them.

Olivet Discourse: Comparing the Synoptic Gospels

Olivet Discourse: Comparing the Synoptic Gospels

The Olivet Discourse is a conversation Jesus had with his disciples shortly before his crucifixion. As they sat on the Mount of Olives looking across at the temple, Jesus explained many things about the coming destruction of the temple. While Matthew provides the fullest account, this teaching is found in all three synoptic gospels.

July 2022 Reflections

July 2022 Reflections

As we continue studying the miracles recorded in Matthew 8-9, watch for how the miracles both point backward to the prophets (e.g. Isaiah 35:3-6) and ahead to the fullness of the promise to come.

48 Matthew 9:9-13 Eating with sinners

48 Matthew 9:9-13 Eating with sinners

Jesus sat and ate among the tax collectors with the message, repent for the kingdom of God is at hand and that is a message we do well to share. The most loving thing we can do is to help people deal with their real problem. 

47 Matthew 9:1-8 Jesus heals the Paralytic

47 Matthew 9:1-8 Jesus heals the Paralytic

Jesus demonstrates that he has authority from God to forgive sins by calling upon the power of God to heal the paralytic. In addition to the faith of the paralytic, the miracles support our faith by demonstrating that God has given Jesus authority.

46 Matthew 8:28-34 Demons & Pigs

46 Matthew 8:28-34 Demons & Pigs

When Jesus heals the demoniacs, we learn Jesus has God-given authority over the powers of darkness and evil.  In the last podcast, we saw that Jesus has God-given authority over the power of nature.  Together they build the case that Jesus is the Messiah.