This chapter concludes the ‘Sermon on the Mount’, and contains several short proverb-like pieces of guidance. ” ‘Judge not, that you be not judged… Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you… So whatever you wish that others would do to you,…
Author: Conqueror in Training
Matthew 6
This chapter continues the ‘Sermon on the Mount’. Again Jesus hits home on several topics Jewish culture (and modern culture) frequently misunderstands. “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them… when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is…
Matthew 5
This chapter begins the famous ‘Sermon on the Mount’. We won’t cover everything in detail today, though we’ll at least have an overview. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness… You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world… I have not come to abolish [the Law or…
Matthew 4
This chapter describes Jesus’ temptation, his early ministry, and the calling of Simon (Peter), Andrew, James and John. “Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “He…
Matthew 3
In this chapter Jesus’ cousin John the Baptist is actively baptizing people (including Jesus) and rebuking the religious leaders who come to investigate him. ” ‘Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I…
Matthew 2
This chapter contains the fulfillment of four prophesies. “But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.’ And he rose and took…
Matthew 1
I’ve decided to take a break from the OT. This first chapter gives us a genealogy of Jesus on Joseph’s (His earthly father’s) side of the family. “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. …and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom…
A Prayer for Reconciliation from Prejudice
Yesterday I challenged us to invite God into revealing any prejudice within us, in the hope that would move us toward internal cleansing, and external reconciliation with those against whom we have (unintentionally) distorted views. Today I offer a prayer along those lines. Father God, our Loving and Compassionate Lord, Your heart toward reconciliation is…
Jonah 4
In this chapter we learn Jonah is angry that God spared the people of Nineveh – apparently he was hoping to see the city burned to the ground for these were his ‘enemies’ (Assyrians). “But God said to Jonah, ‘Do you do well to be angry for the plant?’ And he said, ‘Yes, I do…
Jonah 3
Jonah ‘obediently’ prophesies to Nineveh, and they repent of their wicked ways. “So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, ‘Yet forty…