Tag Archives: hope

Matthew’s Story Continues

Posted on December 11, 2024 by Don Merritt

As mentioned in the last post, after Jesus completed His final public address with His lament for Jerusalem in 23:37-39, He and the disciples left the Temple area and walked to the Mount of Olives which overlooks the Temple Mount. … Continue reading →

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The Lord will Hear Your Cry

Posted on December 11, 2024 by Don Merritt

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,    and his ears are attentive to their cry;but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,    to blot out their name from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;    he delivers them from all their troubles.The Lord is close to … Continue reading →

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Judgment!

Posted on December 10, 2024 by Don Merritt

Matthew 23:13-39 After the preamble of 23:1-12 that we discussed in the last post, Jesus continued into this passage, often referred to as “The Seven Woes”. In these verses, we reach the very climax of the confrontation that began when … Continue reading →

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Jesus Goes on the Offensive

Posted on December 10, 2024 by Don Merritt

Matthew 23:1-12 In these verses, Jesus goes on the offensive against His foe, and it is important to recognize that His foe is actually Satan, and not the Jewish religious leaders who have been deceived into playing the role as … Continue reading →

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Perspective on Matthew’s Continuing Narrative

Posted on December 9, 2024 by Don Merritt

Matthew’s Gospel is one long narrative, with five themes that make up the five main sections of the book. Yet, even though there are shifts in theme, it is still one long narrative. Actually, if it helps you, we can … Continue reading →

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Taste and See

Posted on December 9, 2024 by Don Merritt

Taste and see that the Lord is good;    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.Fear the Lord, you his holy people,    for those who fear him lack nothing.The lions may grow weak and hungry,    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.Come, my children, listen to me;    I … Continue reading →

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To Seek the Lord

Posted on December 8, 2024 by Don Merritt

I sought the Lord, and he answered me;    he delivered me from all my fears.Those who look to him are radiant;    their faces are never covered with shame.This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;    he saved him out of all his troubles.The angel of the Lord encamps around … Continue reading →

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Glory in the Lord

Posted on December 7, 2024 by Don Merritt

I will extol the Lord at all times;    his praise will always be on my lips.I will glory in the Lord;    let the afflicted hear and rejoice.Glorify the Lord with me;    let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:1-3 We don’t use the word “extol” very often these days; come … Continue reading →

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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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