Identity. I have been told that there are two extremely important questions : Who is God and who am I ? Jesus sends Peter to the lake.. to ponder these profound questions.
Matthew 17:24-27 : "When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, S...
As people, we pay very close attention to how we are greeted and introduced when we meet someone new to us. If someone remembers your name it makes us feel known and happy. If they stammer or even worse call you by the wrong name, everybody is embarrassed. In this text, Jesus says something that startles everyone in the room. Jesus meets and greets a total stranger in the most peculiar way, He calls him, Son. This podcast is a...
Caution: No humans were injured in the making of this podcast. This is a very challenging passage. It's designed to make you stop dead in your tracks. It was very successful.
What did He just say ? Tear what out ? Saw what off ? Throw who in a furnace ?
What was Jesus really trying to get at? The clues to this confusing passage are hidden in context of ancient Jewish Rabbinical Teaching.
“If your right eye causes you to sin,...
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches th...
" You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so...
We are still setting on the hillside with Jesus as he paints a picture of what life looks like for those who follow God and are a citizen of His Kingdom. We have seen how he teaches using paradox and principals instead of bullet points of rules. He has shown us the living outcomes of what happens when you live in close relationship to God. This verse is no different except the outcome has an adverse side effect. Persecution.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “
Wait a minute .. what does that mean ?
Jesus on a hillside teaches the people the path to real happiness. It looks a lot different than obligatory rule following. It will require a change of heart. "“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. "
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” Matthew 5:7 ESV.
Mercy on the surface sounds quite nice..a beautiful sentiment. It’s particularly attractive to the offender. I do something horrible to you and you grant me mercy and i get off “ scot free “.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
“When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:"
An interesting way to begin a ministry ...
From the top of Mount Nebo, a meal and a long walk. One man's ministry comes to an end, another man's ministry begins. A bright light shines in a dark world. The rescue mission has begun. And it doesn't look anything like everyone though it would.
The testing continues.. In podcast 8, we left Jesus in mid conversation with Satan.. They were discussing food, a preoccupation of all humans, myself included. Now satan changes his attack strategy.. religion...
So... In podcast 7 we left Jesus standing in the Jordan river.. John had reluctantly baptized him and The Spirit descended on him and God spoke a blessing in an audible voice over him. John’s preparatory mission is officially over.. and Jesus official Messianic ministry has begun. One might wonder .. what’s next ?
Jesus gets his first visitors after he is born. The Wise men show up.. with gifts. The journey and the adventure begins.
Welcome to the COMMON MAN COMMENTARY. This podcast covers some basic understanding of how to study the bible and a look at the Matthew 1:1-17
The birth of Jesus Christ, the anointed King. Not the way anybody expected. Emmanuel, God with us. It turns out that He is also for us.
We take a closer look at Matthew 2:13-23. High drama unfolds as the birth of Jesus brings the full wrath of Herod down on the baby boys of Bethlehem.
" Prepare Ye the way of the Lord " Matthew 3:1-6. John the baptizer makes his way on the scene as the forerunner to Jesus. Not your average guy.