Monthly Archives: January 2016

Photo of the Week: January 20, 2016

  We had a bit of snow last night, and this morning when I was outside shovelling it off of the sidewalks, I noticed that the sun was really sparkling off the snow giving it a twinkling effect. I ran … Continue reading

Posted in Photo of the Week | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

The Third Wave is Beaten Back

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and … Continue reading

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

The Second Wave

Matthew 22:23-33 The stage has been set for the second wave of the Jewish leaders plot to unfold. The second assault team, this time made up of a group of Sadducees, makes their advance on Jesus. The Sadducees were a … Continue reading

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

The Jewish Leaders Unleash Their Plot

Matthew 22:15-22 The Jewish leaders, after being made to look foolish in public have withdrawn from the scene to plot. They really want Jesus dead, but they still fear their own people will react against them if they simply grab … Continue reading

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

A Royal Invitation

Matthew 22:1-14 This is the third of the three parables that Jesus delivers to the Jewish religious elite in the scene that began in 21:23… In this parable, unlike the previous two, Jesus begins with”The Kingdom of heaven is like…” … Continue reading

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Parable of the Tenants

Matthew 21:33-46 The second parable that Jesus told the religious leaders is the Parable of the Tenants; we are still in the scene that began in 21:23, which we discussed in Rising Tensions. If you missed that post, for best … Continue reading

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Speaking in Parables Again

After their first skirmish, Jesus tells the Jewish religious leaders three parables that combine to form a serious indictment of their continual, chronic and habitual refusal to hear God’s truth. If you have not read Saturday’s post Rising Tensions I would … Continue reading

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Power of the Gospel

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” Romans 1:16 Are you ashamed of the Gospel?  Of course not!  … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Rising Tensions

Matthew 21:23-27 It is day 2 in Jerusalem. Jesus arrives at the Temple in the morning, and the Jewish leaders are waiting for Him; they are ready to challenge Him. What they probably didn’t understand, was that they were playing … Continue reading

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

The Private Move

Matthew 21:18-22 As I mentioned a couple posts back, Jesus would make three moves that declare His Messianic identity upon His arrival at Jerusalem; the first two were public, His triumphal entry, and His clearing of the Temple. Now we … Continue reading

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments