Peter says some ridiculous things from time to time. Whether it’s “Lord, it is good we’re here” or “of course he pays the Temple tax,” Peter’s mouth could get him in trouble from time to time.

After Peter’s confession, Jesus shows them who He really is. Peter ends it and the Father speaks to build up His Son further to these guys! Are you listening to Him, as the Father asks us to?

Then Jesus heals a boy with a demon that only Jesus can cast out – yet points out that this type only comes out with prayer! Jesus taught them how to pray, shouldn’t it have set in by now? Yet only Jesus can do it! Jesus is dependent on prayer!

Finally Peter puts his foot in his mouth and Jesus provides a miraculous fishing experience to make up for it. He’s a better fisherman by far!

Two things to learn from this chapter:

1) Jesus is God! We can trust this!

2) Peter’s inadequacy shows is that Jesus works with broken people and makes them more!

Do you get the feeling the disciples don’t get it? Does that help or hurt your feelings towards your faith?

Jesus is patient with them, but here they are starting to run out of time! Even though we are just over halfway in Matthew, this chapter takes place near the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

He then is confirmed to be the Christ by Peter. Peter then misunderstands what that means and gets called the devil. It is possible that the devil was speaking to Him, but we may never fully know. We do know that Jesus is serious about disciple-making.

He wants us to deny ourselves, take up the cross and follow Him. If we do this, our hearts are right. Our words will come out and match what is in our heart. Does this define our walk with Jesus?

This is more than a Sunday service kind of love. This is an all-in, no matter what, asking tough questions kind of love. Is that you?

First, sorry! Busy days at church. I’m trying to do this every day, but schedule sometimes doesn’t work!

Second, notice how often Jesus answers a question with a question! Why don’t we do that more often? We often seem so defensive or combative with our answers when a well-intentioned question that deals with the issue from a different perspective can be helpful in getting our point across!

Jesus also teaches that our mouths expel what is truly in our hearts. May our days be focused on Him so that the expelling will be blessed and not evil! Our overflow is of what we are filled with!

A significant thing happens to end chapter 15 that many would not notice. Jesus serves a woman in Tyre and Sidon (not Israel). Then He feeds 4000. These are not out of the 5000 He fed before. He isn’t losing His touch! These are of the region of the Decapolis, or Gentile country. You can see the symbolism in the leftovers! 12 baskets for the 5000 signifies the 12 tribes of Israel. 7 baskets for the 4000 signifies what the ancient world considered the 7 nations of the ancient world in Canaan (Deut 7:1-2). Jesus is caring for and loving the nations beyond Israel!

This chapter starts with a creepy king, his evil wife, a dancing daughter, a headless prophet and a whole lot of bad feelings.

It ends with a number of fantastic claims about Jesus.

Herod was a creep. His stepdaughter has a dance that stops him in his tracks and Herodias is tired of hearing she’s wrong from the prophet – so a plot is formed to cut off his head. And John’s question from before is answered. He won’t get out of jail.

Then Matthew shows us Jesus is God by recounting some significant moments in the ministry of the Lord. Jesus feeds 5000, walks on water and is worshipped by His disciples. As He should be!

He then heals people in the plain of Gennesaret. This is by Magdala, on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret), southwest of Capernaum. Here’s a picture of the plain from Mt Arbel

And this is looking back at Arbel from the plain. Look how imposing these mountains seem!

While it may seem that there are lots of sick people all over Israel, it may interest you that it was believed in the ancient times that portions of Galilee had healing powers. They may have been coming from all over the world to get healing!

The parable of the sower is so famous and so much has been said and written on it. I would love to focus on one element: the soil. Notice that Jesus implies that the hearer is in charge of how they respond to the message. We are in charge of whether we are in or out. Sure, some will not take root due to trouble or will blast off fast and fade just as quickly, but I don’t want to be that. How about you? Are you good soil?

Further, Jesus mentions a concept that we use in our Description of a Discipled Person : a life that bears fruit. As we let Him grow the seed planted in us, we are called to bear fruit and multiply. Who needs to hear about what Jesus has/is doing in you? Don’t rest on what you have been given!

Jesus then talks about weeds and how great a treasure this kingdom is! All of this is surprising as He returns home, preaches, and is rejected… bad soil can be found anywhere!

Jesus starts this chapter by declaring His Lordship over the Sabbath, and by taking on the hypocrisy of the age (they would save a sheep on the Sabbath but not a man? – dumb!). He then “hides out” and the crowds follow Him. After healing a demon-possessed man, the leaders of the day start to determine that He is a demon casting out demons. Jesus then states famously that a house divided cannot stand (Lincoln later uses this) and then states the most troubling verse to many in Matthew. Matthew 12:31 states that “blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.”

I’ve had many come nervously to discuss this passage – afraid that hell is beckoning due to some statement they may have used as a non-believer or something along that lines. Check this or this or this for more info on it from 3 different sources. However, it is clear that from the passage, this sin is attributing the work of God to satan and thus is a rejection of God and His work. Of course this is unforgiven, until one puts his or her hope in Jesus. Remember, His yoke is easy and burden is light.

Hope you’re loving the reading! I know I am!

Jesus is not interested in living up to your ideals or agendas. He just is. We chose to follow Him or not, but the consequences are dire if you choose to go your own way.

One of the passages Jesus preached was in Isaiah 61 and mentioned the prisoners getting out of prison. Now John, his cousin and having no doubt who Jesus is, is in jail. John wants to know “are you the one who is to come” (am I getting out of here?) or “should we expect someone else?” Jesus’ response seems chilly. He IS the one, but blessed is he who doesn’t fall away. Could Jesus get John out? Absolutely. Is that the plan? Nope.

Are you willing to be second to the plans of God? Will you sacrifice for Him? Will you put aside your strong opinions of what Jesus is “supposed” to do for you or let Him lead?

This is the most important question of your life. You may lose everything but gain it all. Is that worth it? Does it even matter if it isn’t?

His burden is easy and His yoke is light – when you put Him in control. This verse, in context, is sobering and not a nice kitchen carving. His yoke is easy and burden is light – even if you lose your life for Him. May we believe that and surrender!

So Jesus said “the workers are few” and then immediately trusts 12 to take His message and share it! He gives them multiple sober warnings first, but tells them not to fear, but to trust the One who has the power to be trusted.

Quick question: do you have what it takes to follow Him and to be sent from Him and share His message with others.

Again we have fear followed by worship! What an amazing combination! Verse 8 encapsulates what man’s reaction to God is and should be. Our times are filled with many who scoff and doubt. I wonder where’d we be if we humbly feared the one who deserves it and worshipped Him?

Then Jesus calls a tax collector and meets his friends right away. Jesus is all about crossing lines others’ say shouldn’t be crossed. What does that mean to you? Jesus reminds us that a new thing is happening here. Are you going to grow or stay the same?

He then does more incredible things before saying that the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Are you in the fight? You don’t need to be perfect or even know what to say… He is able to lead and help us along the way.

There is a transition in Matthew here. It’s minor, but there nonetheless. After a significant section dealing with Jesus’ teaching, now we begin to see some movement and actions.

Jesus heals a leper, showing that He can make unclean things clean.

He then marvels at the faith of a Gentile and heals the centurion’s servant.

Then Peter’s mother-in-law (he’s married!) is healed as are many others.

Then Jesus seems to be a difficult man (though I question whether these excuses are legit – you’d be home if your father was dying) and pushes some buttons.

He then shows power in two supernatural actions – calming the storm and freeing the men from demons. He is the King, of Israel and of the supernatural, of the storm and of our hearts!