In this chapter we read about the death of John the Baptist, the feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus walking on water, as well as Peter. The fame of Jesus makes it difficult for him to move from place to place and he will have to avoid going into cities and let the crowds come out to him in the wilderness and desolate places.
Matthew 14
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus,
Continue readingJesus teaches in parables, explains to the disciples why he teaches in parables and explains to them the meaning of the parable. This chapter has several parables including the parable of the sower, weeds among wheat, treasure in a field and the pearl of great price.
Matthew 13
The same day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea.
Continue readingJesus contends with the Pharisees over keeping the Sabbath and they accuse him of casting out demons by the power of demons. Some very well known statements of Jesus are in this chapter, concluding with “those who do the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Matthew 12
At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath day. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck the heads of grain and to eat.
Continue readingDisciples from John the Baptist come to ask Jesus if he is the one. Jesus tells them to report back all the things they see and hear. Jesus denounces their cities noting that if the things they are seeing had been done in Tyre, Sidon and even Sodom they would have long since repented.
Matthew 11
When Jesus had finished giving instructions to his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.
Continue readingMatthew lists the 12 disciples that Jesus called and also appointed as Apostles. They are given authority to heal the sick, cast out demons and even raise the dead. He then gives them lengthy instructions, some of which will apply right away and some they rely on after he ascends into heaven and the New Testament church age begins.
Matthew 10
When he had called his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Continue readingMore healing, more casting out demons, a girl is raised that was dead and Jesus calls Matthew. We have talked about the authority Jesus had on the earth. In this chapter he explains to the scribes he has the authority to forgive sins.
Matthew 9
He entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.
Continue readingThis chapter highlights Jesus’s authority over sickness, demons and the elements of nature. Jesus calms storms and casts out demons and sometimes that also makes people afraid.
Matthew 8
When he came down from the mountain, large crowds followed him.
Continue readingThis chapter will finish the Sermon on the Mount which began in chapter 6 and runs through chapters 6 and 7. “Judge not” is a well known passag of scripture that may actually be too well known. Remove the log from your own eye, the Golden Rule, the wide vs. narrow gate and building on the rock are all in this chapter.
Matthew 7
“Do not judge, so that you will not be judged.
Continue readingWe are on chapter 2 of the Sermon on the Mount. This is so much easier to read and discuss than the measurements of the tabernacle curtains or making the priestly garments. I’m not saying we shouldn’t read those chapters, obviously we did, but these words of Jesus have more direct application to the Christian life. Don’t just read over it and check a box on your checklist; read it, think about it, soak in it. Let it change you.
Matthew 6
“Be careful that you do not practice your righteousness before men, to be seen of them: otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
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The Master's Table 