There is a question about greatness in heaven. Jesus does not say “the first shall be last and the last shall be first” at this time but that idea is present in his answer about humility and forgiveness.
Matthew 18
At that time the disciples came to Jesus saying “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
Continue readingPeter, James and John are witnesses of the transfiguration. A voice from heaven is heard for the second time declaring Jesus. The disciples cannot cast a demon out of a child. And finally Peter is sent to make a ”’miraculous catch” of sorts. Further down the page, past the Matthew 17 text, I will drop those links I mention about Exodus 3 and 4 and add the mustard seed pic as well.
Matthew 17
And after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John, and brought them up a high mountain alone.
Continue readingThe Pharisees ask for a sign, again, and Jesus gives the same answer he did the first time. We just had the feeding of the 5,000 and the feeding of the 4,000 and then they ask to be shown a sign. The big exciting thing in this chapter is Peter declaring Jesus to be the Christ. That’s more than a name or even a title; it is a declaration that Jesus is the fulfillment of what they have been waiting for.
Matthew 16
The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and tested him by asking to see a sign from heaven.
Continue readingCommandments and traditions; what defiles a person; feeding of the 4,000 right after we just saw the feeding of 5,000 yesterday. Also a famous quote from Isaiah and what happens if the blind lead the blind.
Matthew 15
Then scribes and Pharisees form Jerusalem came to Jesus saying:
Continue readingIn 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.
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The Master's Table 