Jim’s Blog

Key Verse: Matthew 28:6 “He is not here; for He is risen, as he said.” The account of Jesus’ resurrection is foundational to Christian faith. In fact, all of New Testament theology presupposes resurrection, and Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15, says that if Christ is not risen, our faith is in vain. Why? Because if […]

Key Verse: Matthew 24:42 “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” The subject of the end of the age is something that has been written and preached about to the point where one wonders if anything original can be said. So there’s no need to delineate all of the […]

Matthew 5 Murder and Anger vv. 21-26 (Part 2) Israel’s means of atonement (“at-one-ment”) was blood sacrifice. As the penitent brought his lamb to the altar he would press his hands down on the lamb’s head conferring his guilt to the helpless animal. He would make a statement of confession, something like, “I confess my […]

Key Verse: Matthew 23:39 “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” This chapter has been entitled “The Seven Woes” by many commentators, because seven times Jesus pronounces woe on the Pharisees. There’s no need to expand on the various criticisms that He has of the Pharisees, because the main point of […]

Key Verse: Matthew 22:21 “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Here we have one of the most famous stories about Jesus, when He comments on giving to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’. What is fascinating about the story is […]

Key Verse: Matthew 21:22 “And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” This chapter includes a tough passage. First of all, it seems uncharacteristic of Jesus to be going about cursing trees, especially trees, as Mark tells us, that are out of season. Secondly, even though we’re accustomed to Jesus using hyperbole […]

Key Verse: Matthew 19:30 “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” A rich young man comes up to Jesus and says, “What must I do to get eternal life?” Jesus’ response is a little strange. He says “Why do you ask Me about what is good? There’s only one who […]

Matthew 5 New vs. Old vv. 21-48  So, not that Jesus had put pharisaic righteousness into perspective, he proceeded to describe the “new wine” proceeding from both Old Testament Law and Oral Law. He starts with murder and anger. Murder and Anger vv. 21-26 (Part 1) You will notice as you read from 5:21 through […]

Key Verse: Matthew 18:3 “Unless you…become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Even the disciples had egos. This must have been at the root of their question, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Like you and me, they would want to hear Jesus say, “Frankly, […]