I'm Back

Sorry I haven't been able to comment for the last several days. Schedule has been very busy. Sometimes it just gets that way. When I'm not able to "blog", please continue to stay on track with your reading. Blessings!
Pastor Ron

Matthew 14-16

Today we approach the half-way point of Matthew's Gospel. This week's reading will be very climatic as Jesus begins to prepare to go to Jerusalem and suffer for the sins of the world.

• In Chapter 14, we are told about the death of John the Baptizer at the hands of Herod Antipas, one of the sons of Herod the Great. Note: John is already dead in verses 1 & 2, and verses 3-12 describe how and why he was murdered. Why was John put in prison in the first place? And why was he murdered? How does this illustrate "the adversary" and "the mutiny" against God?
• Matthew 14:13 - Why did Jesus go to a deserted place after He hears of John's murder? What does this tell us about Jesus and John's relationship? What does this tell us about Jesus experiencing life as a human?
• Jesus walks on the water. Say what?! If you've ever tried this in a swimming pool or lake or bathtub, you understand how difficult (impossible) this is. What does the Holy Spirit desire for us to understand about Messiah by telling us this?
• Jesus then gives Peter the go ahead to "come" and walk on the water as well. Remember, they are experiencing strong winds and the sea is turbulent. Why did Peter want to walk on the water? Why didn't the other 11 disciples get out of the boat?
• In Matthew 16:21-23, Jesus begins to tell the disciples about His suffering, death and resurrection. According to Peter's response, the disciples are not prepared. Jesus rebukes Peter sharply (and probably the rest of them as well) as he throws up resisting remarks to Jesus. Interesting to see that just a few verses earlier, Peter gives the ultimate statement professing Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the Living God". Is it possible for a disciple to see things clearly in one moment and then be influenced by the adversary in the next moment? How can we keep from falling back into "the mutiny"?

Week 2 - Reading Schedule

Mon, Oct 13: Matthew 14-16 Evening: Psalm 11-12, Proverbs 6

Tue, Oct 14: Matthew 17-19 Evening: Psam 13-14, Proverbs 7

Wed, Oct 15: Matthew 20-22 Evening: Psalm 15-17, Proverbs 8

Thu, Oct 16: Matthew 23-25 Evening: Psalm 18-20, Proverbs 9

Fri, Oct 17: Matthew 26-28 Evening: Psalm 21-22, Proverbs 10

Matthew 11-13

If you have a red-letter edition Bible, you will see that most of Chapters 11-13 are the words of Jesus.

• In Matthew 11:1-6, Jesus responds to John the Baptizer's question: Are You the Coming One or do we look for another? John was a great man but his trial in prison caused him to question Jesus. He needed reassurance from Jesus and Jesus gave it to him. In John's mind, Jesus was supposed to immediately bring judgment on all the sinners and purify Israel. Jesus' ministry may have not been accomplishing what he thought it would- getting rid of the corrupt priest and Rome. Or maybe it was not happening as fast as John would have liked. So he asked for reassurance. Ever feel like God is not doing what you thought He would do? or maybe the timing is just too slow for you?
• Jesus sends John a message that combines three Scriptures: Isaiah 29:18, Isaiah 35:4-6 & Isaiah 61:1. Interesting to note that Isaiah 61:1 ends with the phrase "and the opening of the prison to those who are bound." Jesus did not mention this last phrase in His reply to John. Almost to say, "I am the One to come, I am Messiah. But John, you are not going to get out of prison. Now that you know who I am, you can die in faith."
• Jesus speaks some pretty awesome things about John and about us in Matt 11:11.
• At the end of chapter 11, Jesus rebukes the 3 cities He did most of his mighty miracles in - Chorazin, Bethsaida & Capernaum. They saw the miracles but they refused to repent and follow Jesus. Miracles are wonderful but they are not the cure-all for everything in our world. Thank God for miracles, but if they do not lead us to have a repentant heart, these miracles will stand in judgment against us.
• Matthew 12:31-32, Jesus talks about the "unpardonable sin." I'll try to explain this on Sunday morning.
• Matthew 13 contains The Parable of the Seed & the Sower. Jesus said that we must understand this parable in order to understand all His other parables. So this is a key teaching from Jesus. Because of the importance, Jesus leaves no room for interpretation. He clearly explains what everything in this parable means.
• Matthew 13 contains 7 parables of Jesus.

Matthew 8-10

Chapters 8 & 9 give several miracles that were done by Jesus. The Rescue continues as Jesus spreads the shalom (peace) of the Kingdom everywhere He goes. We see Him reaching into terrible circumstances and rescuing people from sin, satan and sickness. Questions: Why would the Holy Spirit inspire Matthew to list these particular miracles? What do these miracles teach us about Messiah Jesus?



Chapter 10 gives the names of Jesus 12 disciples. Why did He pick 12 disciples? Think about the number 12. Where is it used in another part of Scripture? make the connection.

• We owe a great debt of gratitude to these men. Their dedication and sacrifice helped bring the "good news" of Jesus to us.


• In verse 5, Jesus sends the 12 to spread the shalom of the Kingdom to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel". Notice that Jesus gives them specific instruction and empowerment. What can we learn from this ministry instruction given to them?

Matthew 5-7

This 3 chapter section of Matthew is known as "The Sermon on the Mount". This is probably the greatest sermon that has ever been preached. It is a lesson in what it means to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. It's been called, "The Constitution of Messiah's Kingdom". Every believer should know this message inside & out. This is what Jesus requires from all of us. It's a tall order, but His grace is sufficient. Too much here to really comment on in great depth. Just soak it in. Here are some things that will help:

• The instruction given by Jesus is phenomenal. This is "the way" His Kingdom is to operate.
• Our failures become very evident when we read this. But this is who Jesus is shaping us to be.
• In verses 1-2, Jesus is being presented as the "new Moses" : up on a mountain, seated with the disciples, opening His mouth & teaching. The wording takes us back to when Moses gave the Law to Israel. Here Jesus is giving the Law of the Kingdom. Nearly all of this sermon can be traced back into the writings of Moses. Jesus is explaining and interpreting the very Word and Law of God for His followers. Ever wonder what parts of the Old Testament Law are for us? Well, here it is!
• The teaching begins with how to be "blessed", and it ends with the story of the wise & foolish builders in Matthew 7:24-27. Why would Jesus end all of this magnificent teaching with this story?

Matthew 3-4

• In Matthew 3, we are introduced to John the Baptizer. He is given this name because he is known for leading people into a "baptism of repentance" which often involved the use of living or flowing water. His message is pointed and clear "repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand." What does it mean to repent?


• John is the fulfillment of Isaiah 40:3. This is quoted in Matthew 3:3.


• John is the prophetic voice of the hour. He stands against the religious leaders and rebukes them very sharply. He warns them to repent of their corruption and sin against God and God's people. He warns that Messiah is soon to come and His ministry will take care of the corruption that is in their hearts and in the religious system they have created.


• In verse 12, John says that Messiah will "thoroughly clean out His threshing floor...". He is making a reference to the Temple ministry and the priesthood that operated in the Holy City, Jerusalem. Remember, David purchased this ground that the Temple was built upon from Ornan and it was a threshing floor. (1 Chronicles 21:21-30)


• John also says that Messiah will "baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." Messiah's ministry will be unlike anything Israel or the world has ever seen or experienced. Thank God, Jesus still baptizes us in the Holy Spirit today.


• Jesus proclaims this about John the Baptizer: Mt 11:11 "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." Jesus says that John was the greatest man that has ever lived up to this point in history. What a statement about this man! And look at what Jesus says about us in the same sentence. How could we be greater than the greatest man that's ever lived?
• In Matthew 4, Jesus asserts His authority over satan, sin and temptation. How did Jesus defeat the tempter? What can we learn from Jesus' strategy against satan?
• This 40 day temptation is to be compared with Israel's 40 year temptation in the desert. They failed God, but He was perfectly obedient and faithful in every way. How do the stories of Israel and Jesus parallel here? What can we learn about God? What can we learn about our adversary?
• After defeating satan in the desert, Jesus moves from Nazareth to Capernaum. Remember what we said Sunday about Capernaum? Shortly thereafter, Jesus chooses 4 fisherman to be His disciples: Peter, Andrew, James & John.
• Jesus goes thoroughout the region of Galilee (in the small towns and villages around the Sea of Galilee) teaching in the synagogues, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom and healing all kinds of sickness and disease. The Rescue has begun and the Rescuer is at work!