Monthly Archives: January 2016

Which Way?

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Don Merritt

Have you ever come across a split in life’s road where you aren’t sure which path to follow?  Maybe it involved changing jobs or moving to a new town, or it could be a time when you are considering moving … Continue reading →

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Arrested!

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Don Merritt

Matthew 26:47-56 As Jesus was saying the words of 26:46, the party sent to arrest Him is entering the scene with Judas in the lead. In the events that follow, there are few actions that have an almost comical quality … Continue reading →

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In the Garden

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Don Merritt

Matthew 26:36-46 Matthew shifts the scene to the Garden of Gethsemane (which means “oil press”). This is another scene that is no doubt a familiar one for most all of us, a scene that has an odd feel to it, … Continue reading →

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Predictions of Desertion

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Don Merritt

Matthew 26:31-35 In the entire series of events beginning with the plot of Judas and ending with his suicide, the disciples aren’t portrayed in a very flattering light, but Jesus isn’t surprised by any of this, in fact He predicts … Continue reading →

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Bonus Post: The Passion Narrative

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Don Merritt

Matthew 26:1-28:20 This final section of Matthew’s account of Jesus is quite interesting for several reasons and is deserving of a little extra background information. To begin, it is comprised of three parts, the first of which runs from 26:1-56 … Continue reading →

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The Last Supper

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Don Merritt

Matthew 26:17-30 This passage opens with Jesus giving instructions to the disciples about the arrangements for the Passover meal that remind us of His instructions to them in 21:1-3 about the arrangements for His entry into Jerusalem. After everything had … Continue reading →

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The Pace Picks Up

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Don Merritt

Matthew 26:1-16 We have now begun the final section of Matthew’s Gospel. I don’t want to interrupt the narrative of Matthew’s story, so I will compile a Bonus Post for tomorrow afternoon with the background on this section, which is … Continue reading →

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Photo of the Week: January 27, 2016

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Don Merritt
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Jesus Tells Them One More Parable

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Don Merritt

Matthew 25:31-46 Today we reach the final passage in the Oliver Discourse, the parable of the sheep and goats. In this parable, Jesus is painting for us a picture of His return, and the assembling of all people for judgment. … Continue reading →

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Bags of Gold

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Don Merritt

Matthew 25:14-30 Before we get started, let’s remember our context, Jesus is still giving His answer to this question: “what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (24:3). Also, please don’t forget this … Continue reading →

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