It’s been a stupefying few months, hasn’t it? And I’m not even thinking politically. To even to try and recall the many tragedies that have occurred since August of this year, I had to rely on Google rather than my memory. For since August of this year alone, we as …
This morning will be the final sermon in a months-long series that has considered Matthew’s recording of key teachings and events in Jesus Christ’s life. And one of those key teachings has focused upon the Kingdom of heaven or the Kingdom of God. For Christ, along with the Father and …
Recently I met a woman whom I’ll call Alice who shared with me what a difficult year this has been for her. As I listened she shared about trial—after trial—after trial that had taken place over the course of the year. But then she paused, turned to me, and began …
In the final of Jesus’ parables we’ll be considering for a time from Matthew’s Gospel,[1] Jesus is yet again addressing what the final arrival of God’s kingdom, the kingdom of heaven, will be like. In addition to this key topic, there are two themes this parable has in common with …
It’s been noted that when people know that their time on earth is drawing to a close, they will, understandably, focus on telling those they love the things they consider to be most important; the things they don’t want to die having left unsaid. Though in the case of Jesus …
Though not the heart of our passage last week, after providing instance upon instance of Jesus’ authority being challenged by various Jewish leaders, all of whom ended up being amazed and silenced at his teaching, at the end of chapter 22 of Matthew’s Gospel, we’re told “and from that day …
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” I don’t know who said it first but it’s a saying that certainly applies to this morning’s passage. As we saw last week, though the Pharisees and Herodians didn’t get along, nonetheless they joined forces to try and trap Jesus. Yet both …
Though perhaps not an original observation, we are a people who can become preoccupied with images and the general impression we make upon others. And this can be true even when we think we’re immune from it. Perhaps one of the most amusing examples of this is found in the …
The parables Jesus continues to use for teaching during his last week on earth are not for the faint of heart for they present us with truths that at times are difficult but are always important. And those who ignore their message do so at their own peril for as …
As we return to highlighting different events in Jesus’ life provided in Matthew’s Gospel, by the time of those recorded in our passage Jesus has twice foretold his death[1] as he makes his way to Jerusalem in these, his final days on earth—it’s now Tuesday of Holy Week[2]—receiving the “Hosannas” …
