Matthew 16 The leaders of the Jewish sects, especially the Pharisees and Sadducees, became adversaries of Jesus. Always a challenge. Never satisfied. Jesus told them that evil people are never satisfied with the proof that is given. Then Jesus offered the sign of Jonah who was delivered from the belly of the… Continue Reading
Matthew 15 The Pharisees specialized in the minutiae of the Old Law, or rather, in the details of their traditions. They were guardians of traditions that had been built around the Law of God as a hedge. Their efforts to “safeguard the Law” resulted in their unfortunate position of “being more righteous… Continue Reading
Matthew 14 The approach of God’s New Testament kingdom begins to reach a point of crisis in this chapter. Herod Antipas ruled a fourth of the kingdom that had been ruled by his father, Herod the Great. What a worldly and vicious family. Politics is often a dirty and bloody business. The… Continue Reading
Matthew 13 This is the great parable chapter in Matthew. A parable is a simple illustration of spiritual truth. Look only for the main comparison. A parable is not to be pressed for details. The parable of the sower is one of the most effective, for Jesus takes time to explain both… Continue Reading
Matthew 12 Having demonstrated his authority over disease and death, Jesus now makes it clear that he is Lord of all religious matters. All authority means all. How sad that the Pharisees (self-appointed interpreters of the Law) chose to accuse Jesus and his disciples of breaking the Sabbath law. The Law was… Continue Reading
Matthew 11 The NIV heading for the first section of chapter 11 is “Jesus and John the Baptist.” When Mary was pregnant with our Lord and Savior, she went to visit her relative Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John. As Mary approached Elizabeth, baby John “leaped in her womb” (Luke 1:41). This… Continue Reading
