The Pharisees attribute the exorcisms of Jesus to Satanic power, but Jesus interprets his miraculous works as evidence of the arrival of the kingdom and the invasion of Satan’s kingdom. The battle lines are thus drawn: one is either for Christ or against him. To blaspheme the Spirit of God in his witness to Jesus […]
Against the backdrop of the simmering conflict between Jesus and his religious detractors, Matthew presents Jesus as the Lord of the Sabbath and the Suffering Servant. These two descriptions are not antithetical but reveal the profundity of Jesus’ divine and human natures, united in one person.
Matthew presents Jesus as the Promised Messiah, the Great Judge, and the Saviour of Sinners in Matthew 11:1–30. Verses 25–30 emphasize his unique role as the Revealer of the Father and Giver of True Rest rests. He compassionately calls all who are wearied and burdened to come to him and receive rest from spiritual darkness […]
Jesus’ extraordinary deeds of power amazed many but did not move them to repentance. As a result, Jesus laments over the cities near the Sea of Galilee and warns them of the coming judgment for those who stubbornly refused to turn to the Lord.
The mighty preaching of the kingdom and the miraculous works of Jesus amazed many but did not move them to faith in Him. Matthew charts the growing opposition to Jesus in chapter 11. But the narrative also focuses on the identity of the One people opposed: He is the promised Messiah and the manifestation of […]
The Lord Jesus portrays the way of discipleship as extremely demanding. He claims supreme loyalty above all other allegiances—even one’s family—and insists that his disciples must follow him in cross-bearing or dying to self. Though arduous, the way of Christ leads unfailingly to the unmerited reward of eternal life. The prize of the divine reward […]
The life of discipleship entails persecution from different sources. But believers should not fear; God places a greater value upon His children than sparrows. Even the hairs of our head do not fall without our Father’s consent.