It may seem redundant for me to say that the path leading toward the Father’s kingdom often runs through the valley of the shadow of death and close to our enemies who are enmeshed in evil, but redundant or not, it is true. A seminary professor once told me that the truth, even though it… Continue reading Matthew 26:57-27:10 – Peter, Judas, and a New Day
Category: The Lord’s Prayer
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 thing. But each time he… Continue reading Matthew 26:26-56 – Betrayal, Rejection, and Friends
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 means of his death and… Continue reading Matthew 26:1-25 – The Passover, the Poor, and the Pawn
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 parables. Those all begin with… Continue reading Matthew 25 – Virgins, Talents, and Sheep
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 opening, revealing delicate edges of… Continue reading Matthew 24:32-51 – Fig Trees and Faithfulness
Matthew 24:16-31 – Great Tribulation, Lightning, and Clouds Filled with Glory
Historically, Matthew 24 has been read as a passage about the return of Jesus and the end times, and perhaps, that is the best way to read this chapter. However, this current study of Matthew is taking the approach of reading Matthew’s Gospel through the lens of the Lord’s Prayer. This is not to deny… Continue reading Matthew 24:16-31 – Great Tribulation, Lightning, and Clouds Filled with Glory
Matthew 24:15 – Abomination, Judgment, and Mercy
After Adam and Eve were cursed and driven from the Garden of Eden, they probably longed for the days of easy gardening and painless childbirth, but I think their greatest regret was the loss of a direct line of communication with the Father. No longer could they speak with their creator in the cool of… Continue reading Matthew 24:15 – Abomination, Judgment, and Mercy
Matthew 24:6-14 – Wars, Earthquakes, and False Prophets
After warning the disciples about the coming of false Christs and imploring them to not be led astray, Jesus begins painting a picture of the end times when he says, 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is… Continue reading Matthew 24:6-14 – Wars, Earthquakes, and False Prophets
Matthew 24:3-5 – Do Not Be Led Astray
This next passage of Matthew’s Gospel is often called “the Olivet Discourse,” primarily because Jesus spoke it while sitting on the Mount of Olives. It has also been referred to as “the Little Apocalypse” because its language and content mirror many passages found in Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation. Matthew introduces this passage with the following… Continue reading Matthew 24:3-5 – Do Not Be Led Astray
Matthew 24:1-2 – Banishing Evil and the Coming of the Father’s Eternal Kingdom
Many of the oldest biblical manuscripts, when it comes to the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6, do not include the final phrase “For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.” In most instances, whether this line is part of the original prayer is of no real consequence, but in the… Continue reading Matthew 24:1-2 – Banishing Evil and the Coming of the Father’s Eternal Kingdom