Monthly Archives: October 2015

Those Who Mourn

Posted on October 21, 2015 by Don Merritt

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 Most of the time, we don’t associate blessing with mourning; maybe we should rethink this… Matthew didn’t actually say what those blessed are mourning; it could be the … Continue reading →

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Poor in Spirit

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Don Merritt

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 The first Beatitude speaks of those who are “poor in spirit”. Much has been made about the difference between Matthew’s language and that of Luke … Continue reading →

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The Beatitudes: An Introduction

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Don Merritt

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,  and he began to teach them. Matthew 5:1-2 The Sermon on the Mount begins with nine “Beatitudes” in which Jesus describes … Continue reading →

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Kingdom, Teaching, Healing

Posted on October 19, 2015 by Don Merritt

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe … Continue reading →

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Calling Disciples

Posted on October 19, 2015 by Don Merritt

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish … Continue reading →

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Jesus Heads to Galilee

Posted on October 17, 2015 by Don Merritt

When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: “Land … Continue reading →

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Jesus in the Wilderness

Posted on October 16, 2015 by Don Merritt

Matthew 4:1-11 After His baptism by John, Jesus heads out to the Wilderness (desert) to be tempted by Satan. In this narrative, we see once again Matthew’s fondness for connecting his story about Jesus with the history of Israel, in … Continue reading →

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Jesus Appears on the Scene

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Don Merritt

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is … Continue reading →

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Photo of the Week: October 14, 2015

Posted on October 14, 2015 by Don Merritt
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Preparing the Way of the Lord

Posted on October 14, 2015 by Don Merritt

Matthew 3:1-12 Matthew skips over nearly 30 years between 2:23 and 3:1 and in so doing he has emphasized for us his priority on the identity and role of Jesus over that of providing mere biographical information. This is further … Continue reading →

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