Author Archives: Don Merritt

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About Don Merritt

A long time teacher and writer, Don hopes to share his varied life's experiences in a different way with a Christian perspective.

Wow! Christmas is Almost Here!

Who was it exactly, who was born in Bethlehem so long ago.  John makes it clear at the beginning of his Gospel: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God … Continue reading

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Bonus Post: The Passion Narrative

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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Predictions of Desertion

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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The Last Supper

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

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 with the background on this section, which is quite interesting. I … Continue reading

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A Tale of Three Parables, part 2

Matthew 25: 31-46 The Parable of the Sheep and Goats answers the question asked in 24:3b another way, for here we are not dealing with virgins awaiting the bridegroom or servants awaiting the master’s return but instead, with judgement day. … Continue reading

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Photo of the Week: December 18, 2019

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A Tale of Three Parables, part 1

This chapter contains three parables in which Jesus expands on His answer to the question we looked at in the last post: As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, … Continue reading

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The Day and the Hour

Matthew 24:36-50 Once the transition (24:29-34) is completed, Jesus answers the second question the disciples asked Him, about the sign and time of His coming (24:3). The short answer is: He will come when He comes, and everyone will be … Continue reading

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Jerusalem and the Temple Destroyed

Matthew 24:1-35 Matthew 24:3 contains the question the disciples asked Jesus privately about His remarks in 24:1-2, when overlooking downtown Jerusalem; He told them that the place was going to be destroyed. Their question, as I mentioned last time, was … Continue reading

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