Category Archives: Jesus

Matthew 9

Reading for Thursday, June 21: Matthew 9 The healing stories recorded in ch9 point to a deeper restoration. The paralytic, prior to his physical healing, is told “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven,” (v2). The woman with the bleeding … Continue reading →

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Matthew 8

Reading for Wednesday, June 20: Matthew 8 Jesus’ power is on full display here in ch8. After 3 chapters of teaching, Matthew peppers us with stories of miraculous healing. We’re introduced to the leper who asks, “Lord, if you are … Continue reading →

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Matthew 7

Reading for Tuesday, June 19, 2012: Matthew 7 “Judge not, that you not be judged.” This is probably the most mis-quoted passage in the New Testament. It’s used as a polemic against any kind of judgmental language that one finds … Continue reading →

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Matthew 6

Reading for Monday, June 18: Matthew 6 Upon careful reading, you realize the assumptions Jesus makes in the Sermon on the Mount. “When you give to the needy,” (v2); “when you pray,” (v5); “when you fast,” (v16). Jesus assumes that … Continue reading →

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Matthew 5

Reading for Friday, June 15: Matthew 5 Now we turn to the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ invitation into the Kingdom of God. In these powerful words, Jesus gives us insight into what a life of repentance looks like in … Continue reading →

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Matthew 4

Reading for Thursday, June 14: Matthew 4 In the desert, Jesus experiences temptation. The imagery is familiar: the wilderness provided the context for Israel’s great temptation with idolatry during the Exodus. But where Israel fails, Jesus will succeed, relying on … Continue reading →

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Matthew 3

Reading for Wednesday, June 13: Matthew 3 In Matthew 3, Matthew introduces us to the ministry of John the Baptist, who calls Israel to repentance in light of the Kingdom’s nearness. John emerges as a wild figure, with camel’s hair … Continue reading →

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Matthew 2

Reading for Tuesday, June 12: Matthew 2 In Matthew’s Gospel account, he frames the story in such way as to parallel Jesus’ early life with the story of Israel, particularly the Exodus story. Jesus’ birth draws the attention of Herod, … Continue reading →

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Matthew 1

Reading for Monday, June 11: Matthew 1 Matthew’s Gospel begins with the birth of Jesus, preceded by a typical Ancient Near-Eastern genealogy. While we’re tempted to skip through this list of names, this would’ve been very important in Matthew’s time … Continue reading →

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1 John 5

Reading for Wednesday, May 30: 1 John 5 After establishing the Christian ethic of love born from the character of God, John closes out his epistle on a high note with language of victory and life. V4-5, “…for everyone born … Continue reading →

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