Matthew's Gospel
The Wheat and the Weeds
| Matthew’s Gospel / 11 |
Why is there so much evil in the world? A question that has troubled people throughout human history. Jesus gives His answer to that question, by telling a story. A parable about wheat and weeds. So what can we learn from this parable? How can it impact the way we live? Join us as we explore the parable of the wheat and the weeds and learn from God what He teaches through this parable. Read more
Why is there so much evil in the world? A question that has troubled people throughout human history. Jesus gives His answer to that question, by telling a story. A parable about wheat and weeds. So what can we learn from this parable? How can it impact the way we live? Join us as we explore the parable of the wheat and the weeds and learn from God what He teaches through this parable. Read more
The Sower
| Matthew’s Gospel / 10 |
We can learn much from Jesus’ famous parable about a person sowing seed, some of which scatters on the path where the birds eat it up, some on rocky ground which has shallow soil so the plant withers, some among weeds which choke the plant and some on fertile ground. We often focus on thinking about what kind of ‘soil’ we are. But let us take a moment to think about the sower and to see if we can identify with this character. Read more
We can learn much from Jesus’ famous parable about a person sowing seed, some of which scatters on the path where the birds eat it up, some on rocky ground which has shallow soil so the plant withers, some among weeds which choke the plant and some on fertile ground. We often focus on thinking about what kind of ‘soil’ we are. But let us take a moment to think about the sower and to see if we can identify with this character. Read more
God’s Kingdom vs Human Kingdom
| Matthew’s Gospel / 9 |
We continue to follow Jesus in Matthew’s gospel where we see a clear distinction between the Kingdom of God and its citizens, and the human Kingdom and its citizens. What are some of the signs that someone is a citizen of heaven rather than of the world? Are they Spirit-filled and Spirit-led? Do they have God’s heart of compassion? Do they have a desire for God’s justice? These are just a few features of living in God’s Kingdom. Read more
We continue to follow Jesus in Matthew’s gospel where we see a clear distinction between the Kingdom of God and its citizens, and the human Kingdom and its citizens. What are some of the signs that someone is a citizen of heaven rather than of the world? Are they Spirit-filled and Spirit-led? Do they have God’s heart of compassion? Do they have a desire for God’s justice? These are just a few features of living in God’s Kingdom. Read more
“I desire mercy, not sacrifice”
| Matthew’s Gospel / 8 |
We continue to follow Jesus in Matthew’s gospel where we see Jesus engaged in confrontations with the Pharisees about the Sabbath. The Pharisees were so focused on trying to be the best at doing nothing, at following every letter of the law (most of them they made themselves) that they completely lost sight of the point of the Sabbath. They did not recognise that the Sabbath was about resting our bodies and connecting with God to allow Him to make us more like Him. Read more
We continue to follow Jesus in Matthew’s gospel where we see Jesus engaged in confrontations with the Pharisees about the Sabbath. The Pharisees were so focused on trying to be the best at doing nothing, at following every letter of the law (most of them they made themselves) that they completely lost sight of the point of the Sabbath. They did not recognise that the Sabbath was about resting our bodies and connecting with God to allow Him to make us more like Him. Read more
God’s Mission: Do not be afraid
| Matthew’s Gospel / 7 |
Part 2. We continue reflecting upon the way Jesus instructs His disciples before He sends them out to follow the mission of God. And this time we see how Jesus encourages and strengthens His followers - reminding us not to be afraid because God goes with us and He provides us with all we need. What prevents you from sharing your faith with others? How can you allow God to take those things and give you His strength and courage? Read more
Part 2. We continue reflecting upon the way Jesus instructs His disciples before He sends them out to follow the mission of God. And this time we see how Jesus encourages and strengthens His followers - reminding us not to be afraid because God goes with us and He provides us with all we need. What prevents you from sharing your faith with others? How can you allow God to take those things and give you His strength and courage? Read more
God’s Mission: Harvest is Plentiful, Workers Few
| Matthew’s Gospel / 6 |
For this reflection and the next we consider how Jesus gives the disciples instructions about the mission of God, and the role we are to play in what God is doing in the world. Jesus using the illustration of harvest time to demonstrate how important and urgent the situation is. He says the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. When the harvest is ready to be collected, farmers only have a short period of time to collect it before the crop is ruined. Read more
For this reflection and the next we consider how Jesus gives the disciples instructions about the mission of God, and the role we are to play in what God is doing in the world. Jesus using the illustration of harvest time to demonstrate how important and urgent the situation is. He says the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. When the harvest is ready to be collected, farmers only have a short period of time to collect it before the crop is ruined. Read more
Spiritual Awareness
| Matthew’s Gospel / 5 |
Following Jesus’ miraculous healing of a woman with bleeding and a dead girl, Jesus is approached by 2 blind men begging for mercy from the Son of David. Jesus touches them and they are healed. Then a demon-possessed man who has been made mute is brought before Jesus and He drives out the demon, giving the man a new chance of life. The blind men may not have been able to physically see, but they were spiritually aware enough to recognise who Jesus is. Read more
Following Jesus’ miraculous healing of a woman with bleeding and a dead girl, Jesus is approached by 2 blind men begging for mercy from the Son of David. Jesus touches them and they are healed. Then a demon-possessed man who has been made mute is brought before Jesus and He drives out the demon, giving the man a new chance of life. The blind men may not have been able to physically see, but they were spiritually aware enough to recognise who Jesus is. Read more
Jesus’ healing touch
| Matthew’s Gospel / 4 |
Once again, as we read through Matthew’s Gospel, we see Jesus reaching out to heal, restore and bring life to those who are suffering. This time we see the encounter Jesus has with 2 people that bring restoration. A father approaches Jesus, desperate for Him to come and restore life to his daughter who has just died. And a woman with bleeding for 12 years reaches out to touch the edge of Jesus’ cloak. Read more
Once again, as we read through Matthew’s Gospel, we see Jesus reaching out to heal, restore and bring life to those who are suffering. This time we see the encounter Jesus has with 2 people that bring restoration. A father approaches Jesus, desperate for Him to come and restore life to his daughter who has just died. And a woman with bleeding for 12 years reaches out to touch the edge of Jesus’ cloak. Read more
What is important? Jesus sharing God’s love
| Matthew’s Gospel / 3 |
What do you consider is most important? What things do you want to safeguard and protect? For the Pharisees, tradition and purity were of highest importance. For John’s disciples, working to earn God’s love through fasting was important. But Jesus demonstrates a far more important thing - to share God’s love. Jesus countered the Pharisees’ love for tradition with compassion and love for ’tax collectors and sinners’. And Jesus taught John’s disciples that mercy and forgiveness is more important than works. Read more
What do you consider is most important? What things do you want to safeguard and protect? For the Pharisees, tradition and purity were of highest importance. For John’s disciples, working to earn God’s love through fasting was important. But Jesus demonstrates a far more important thing - to share God’s love. Jesus countered the Pharisees’ love for tradition with compassion and love for ’tax collectors and sinners’. And Jesus taught John’s disciples that mercy and forgiveness is more important than works. Read more
Jesus forgives and heals a paralysed man
| Matthew’s Gospel / 2 |
What is your greatest need? Is it to be nourished? Safe? Healthy? Jesus identifies our greatest need as forgiveness. Healing from spiritual decay. When He looks at the paralysed man lying on the mat, His first response is to offer Him forgiveness and absolution. The physical healing was secondary to the spiritual healing. Jesus demonstrates His authority, not only to heal physical injury but to pronounce forgiveness for sins. So, let’s worship Him and give Him all our adoration. Read more
What is your greatest need? Is it to be nourished? Safe? Healthy? Jesus identifies our greatest need as forgiveness. Healing from spiritual decay. When He looks at the paralysed man lying on the mat, His first response is to offer Him forgiveness and absolution. The physical healing was secondary to the spiritual healing. Jesus demonstrates His authority, not only to heal physical injury but to pronounce forgiveness for sins. So, let’s worship Him and give Him all our adoration. Read more
