Category Archives: Bible

Jesus Seizes the Initiative

Posted on December 6, 2024 by Don Merritt

While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” “The son of David,” they replied. He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? … Continue reading →

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―SIDEBAR: The Biggest Little Dialogue of All Time

Posted on December 6, 2024 by Don Merritt

While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” “The son of David,” they replied. He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? … Continue reading →

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The Third Wave is Beaten Back

Posted on December 5, 2024 by Don Merritt

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 … Continue reading →

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The Second Wave

Posted on December 5, 2024 by Don Merritt

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 platoon of Sadducees, makes their advance on Jesus. The Sadducees were a … Continue reading →

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The Jewish Leaders Unleash Their Plot

Posted on December 4, 2024 by Don Merritt

Matthew 22:15-22 The Jewish leaders, after being made to look foolish in public have withdrawn from the scene to plot.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 →

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A Royal Invitation

Posted on December 3, 2024 by Don Merritt

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 … Continue reading →

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Parable of the Tenants

Posted on December 3, 2024 by Don Merritt

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 part, for best … Continue reading →

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Speaking in Parables Again

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Don Merritt

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 the previous section I would … Continue reading →

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Rising Tensions

Posted on November 29, 2024 by Don Merritt

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 →

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A Thanksgiving Prayer

Posted on November 28, 2024 by Don Merritt

This is something that I wrote some years ago, but it still applies today… Father, I thank you for all of the ways in which you have blessed me and my family.  Our blessings are so great that it is … Continue reading →

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