Jesus took Peter, John, and James to the top of a high mountain where they experience their Lord transfigured in divine glory; the Father’s voice from heaven, indicating divine favor and approval of Jesus, and the presence of Moses and Elijah. “And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.”(Matthew 17: 2…
Moderns of whatever generation are not comfortable with the idea of judgment with some exceptions. When judgments are made, another cries out, “Judge not.” Of course, without judgment we could not have a court system or a church. Criticism of judgments usually has to do with those made in reference to sex. Our modern American culture is…
On the third day after the crucifixion Jesus rose from the dead. An angel announced to two women who had come to the grave early in the morning that Jesus was raised from the dead. Though the angel told them that they would see Jesus in Galilee, He appeared to them on their way to tell…
Many Christians make the sign of the cross, accompanied by the Name of the Holy Trinity, in worship and at other times. It is a symbolic gesture that shows respect for the Lord and reminds us of the redemptive significance of the crucifixion. Jesus Christ died on a Roman cross for crimes He did not commit. …
Within the Gospel of Matthew are places where Jesus addresses woes to those who do not follow God’s will. They are especially concentrated in Matthew 23 where Jesus is condemning the attitudes and practices of the scribes and the Pharisees. Jesus speaks against these leaders for closing the kingdom in people’s faces, for corrupting proselytes…
Humility describes Jesus’ behavior and is necessary in the life of discipleship. Though rarely used in the Gospel according to Matthew, the word is of great importance. In a quotation from the prophet Zechariah, Jesus is described as humble, as He is about to come into Jerusalem on what we call the Sunday of the Passion, or Palm…
The disciple is not bereft of consolation from Christ in the midst of the fierce battle against evil that precedes the full coming of the kingdom. There is joy in the forgiveness of sins that comes from Him, and Him alone. There is joy in serving Him accoring to His will. In Matthew, and only…
In Matthew 14 Jesus comes to the disciples, walking on the sea. They were terrified when they saw Him, thinking that He was a ghost. Jesus responds to their fear by saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid..” (Matthew 14: 27b ESV) In this article we will consider the use of the…
Jesus told the parable of the sower while sitting in a boat on the sea with the people standing on the beach. Only with His disciples did he give an interpretation of the parable. The sower cast seed upon various types of soil, some on the path; some on rocky ground; some among thorns; and,…
In more than any other Gospel, Matthew uses the word Gentile or Gentiles, referring either to non-Christians or non-Jews. Gentiles are unbelievers to whom the Christian mission is directed along with Israel. The Gentiles fall short of those who follow Jesus. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus says, “And if you greet only your brothers, what more…
