I have a lot to be thankful for this year. I have reached the stage of life that Tevye dreamed about in his song “If I were a rich man.” This podcast allows me to spend many hours every day in prayer and Bible study, for which I am very thankful. Truth be told, I’d do it even if know one else listened. But it’s nice to be able to share the “wealth.”
Thanks to all of you who listened to all 65 episodes on the Gospel of Matthew! It’s been an incredible journey for me and I hope for you, too. What’s been your favorite part? Anything that surprised you? Something you never understood before? Anything make more sense now? I’d love to hear from you!
Why did so many people reject Jesus when they saw him face to face? For people who are self-satisfied and indifferent to God, miracles change nothing. They believe they already have wisdom.
After receiving direct revelation from God that Jesus was the Messiah, why did John the Baptist send his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the One? In his answer, Jesus basically says: “Focus on what I am doing, instead of what I’m not doing.” We’ll develop that theme of Jesus as the unexpected Messiah in Matthew 11.
No sandals? No tunic? No staff? No payment? Jesus instructs to the 12 on their first missionary journey not to take extra provisions nor seek payment for their efforts. Why?
Did you know there is more to Wednesday in the Word than a podcast? The website contains over 1000 pages of free bible study tools and resources. As you resume your local bible studies, WitW can help you with your homework. I’ve got a resource page for each book of the Bible with links to tools, commentaries, outlines and articles. It’s all free and growing!
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.
Foxes, funerals, demons, pigs, fasting and wine skins. That’s all coming in the Gospel of Matthew as we look at various miracles Jesus performed. Lord willing, I plan to cover chapters 8-9 this summer, take a short break and then dive into the next discourse (the sending of the 12).
No new podcasts this month as I’m busy preparing for the Gospel of Matthew Part 2. I’m planning to cover chapters 8-12 which will take us through the next major discourse of Jesus. We’ll be talking about authority a lot.
After studying the Sabbath, it seems appropriate take a break from the podcast. Then we’ll resume our study of the Gospel of Matthew. We’ll pick up in chapter 8 where Matthew begins to highlight the authority of Jesus.
What is the Sabbath? Why does God command it? Did Jesus change it? When do we get to enjoy it? And how can God justify resting when so much work remains to be done? We’ll tackle these questions in the April podcasts series: Sabbath: Why, how and when.
In February we finished the first 8 chapters of Matthew’s gospel, which completed the Sermon on the Mount. After 4 weeks on the Old Testament book of Habakkuk, we’ll start on new series on 1&2 Thessalonians, before returning to Matthew.