I have been studying Matthew’s Gospel through the lens of the Lord’s Prayer to see how we might gain a richer prayer life. But anytime we filter scripture through a set of lenses not readily apparent in the passage, we must be wary of the danger of reading into the text something that is not… Continue reading Matthew 17:9-27 – Rotten Manna, Faithless Disciples, and Miraculous Fish
Month: October 2022
Matthew 16:13-17:8 – Rocks, Confession, a Cross, and Transfigured Bread
These next few verses in Matthew’s Gospel, if taken in isolation, can seem oddly placed and have even produced some radical interpretations. Matthew writes, along with Mark and Luke, this interchange, 13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”… Continue reading Matthew 16:13-17:8 – Rocks, Confession, a Cross, and Transfigured Bread
Matthew 15:29-16:12 – More Bread, Jonah, and Bad Leaven
Two times Jesus miraculously multiplied small amounts of bread and fish to feed a large number of people. While our focus will be directed toward the second miracle (Matt. 15:32-39), some important points need to be made by way of comparison to the first (Matt. 14:13-21). The first miracle occurred after Jesus had been seeking… Continue reading Matthew 15:29-16:12 – More Bread, Jonah, and Bad Leaven
Matthew 14:24-15:28 – The Sea, A Garment, Traditions, and Crumbs
When we last saw the disciples, they were getting into a boat, most likely carrying 12 baskets of food, and heading out to sea while on shore, 5,000 people were relaxing in an after-meal bliss and Jesus was seeking a desolate place where he could pray to the Father. We aren’t sure what happened to… Continue reading Matthew 14:24-15:28 – The Sea, A Garment, Traditions, and Crumbs