Matthew 26:26-56 – Betrayal, Rejection, and Friends

Judas has left the building and, unbeknownst to the remaining disciples, his departure began a chain of events from which there was no turning back. I imagine Judas scurrying down the street to meet the chief priests, every once-in-a-while stopping to look back, wondering if he was doing the right […] Read more

Matthew 26:1-25 – The Passover, the Poor, and the Pawn

Imagination is not required to see that the remainder of Matthew’s Gospel narrates a major battle in the war waged by the forces of evil as they attempt to bring God’s eternally powerful and glorious kingdom to its knees. The Father, from eternity past, planned that his Son, Jesus, by […] Read more

Matthew 25 – Virgins, Talents, and Sheep

If you have been wondering when Jesus would start telling parables, wait no longer. Jesus concludes his answer to the disciples’ question about the destruction of the temple, his second coming, and the end of the age with two parables. But these parables are a bit different than his previous […] Read more

Matthew 24:32-51 – Fig Trees and Faithfulness

One of the best moments during the late stages of winter is when small buds begin to appear on a tree branch. For months, naked twigs bristled in the cold breeze of winter reminding us of death, but there always comes a day when small buds appear and they begin […] Read more