This week we are looking at Matthew 6:19-34. While this section is divided into two different headings, it’s important to recognize that the whole set of verses is about trusting in God to provide. The big clue on connecting these two sections is in the first word of verse 25: “therefore.” Whenever that word is...Read More
Read Matthew 6:1-18. Jesus takes some time in the middle of His Sermon on the Mount to warn against certain ways of practicing our faith, starting with the overall warning in verse 1: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people…” It’s an easy trap to fall into. We want to know that we fit...Read More
Jesus Fulfills the Law Today’s reading is Matthew 5:17-48 Most Bibles will divide chapters into sections with headings. Keep in mind that these were added afterwards, and are merely helpful tools. In this case, we have seven sections dividing up this passage. The first serves as an introduction to the other six. Verses 17-20 begins...Read More
Blessings, Salt, and Light Read Matthew 5:1-16 Chapters 5-7 of Matthew detail Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount, which begins with the Beatitudes (statements that begin with “blessed are…”). For the next few weeks, let’s take a look at the details of this sermon. We start with verse 1, with Jesus going up on a...Read More
Ministry Begins Today’s reading is Matthew 4:12-25. The passage begins with “Now when [Jesus] heard that John had been arrested,” which is referring to John the Baptist being thrown into prison by Herod Antipas, the current ruler of Galilee. John had condemned Herod for having a relationship with his brother’s wife. This arrest happens just...Read More
Three Temptations Today’s passage is Matthew 4:1-11. Fasting is not a common practice in America today, outside of certain Christian circles during the season of Lent. Ever “given up” something for Lent? That’s a form of fasting. But what Jesus is doing here is much bigger. He went without eating anything for forty days. Warning:...Read More
Baptized Read Matthew chapter 3 (17 verses total). Remember, John the Baptist a relative of Jesus. His mother, Elizabeth, is the cousin of Mary, the mother of Jesus. We know from Scripture that he is about six months old than Jesus (Luke 1:24-33). There is obviously a jump in time since Matthew chapter 2, which was...Read More
Read Matthew 2 (the whole chapter, but it’s just 23 verses long). You probably recognize this from accounts of the birth of Jesus, but I want to challenge you on how you read it from now on. First of all, make a note of all of the major players in this narrative. Jesus, obviously. The...Read More
GOD WITH US Read Matthew 1:18-25. This is one of the Biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus, though perhaps not the one you find most familiar. Let’s dig into this unique narrative: Joseph and Mary are engaged, which is a bit more involved than what we understand today. Being “betrothed” in Biblical was a...Read More
IN THE FAMILY OF GOD Read through Matthew 1:1-17. I get it – it’s a huge long list of names. Start noting every name that is familiar to you from previous Bible studies, Sunday school, etc. You can underline them in your Bible, highlight them online, or make a list of the familiar names. Genealogy...Read More
