Matt. 28:1-10 – On the first day of the week after the Passover, Jesus rises from the dead. The first person to see Him is a woman for whom He exorcised seven demons. I cannot imagine what Mary Magdalene’s life was like and what horror she experienced before Jesus healed her. Sadly, some have postulated … Continue reading Post # 25 – “Following the Master”
Author: conwayvmd
Post # 24 – “Following the Master
Matt. 27:3-10 – Judas was a disciple that was plagued with evil thoughts. The Bible tells us that he kept the money box for the disciples, but “he was a thief” and “loved to pilfer the money” for himself (John 12:5-6). After Jesus gave him the morsel during the Last Supper, “Satan entered into him.” … Continue reading Post # 24 – “Following the Master
Post # 23 – “Following the Master
Matt. 26:6-13 – Matthew and Mark both mention the event of this woman anointing Jesus at Simon’s home. We do not know the name of this woman or anything about her except she has access to wealth. Why she wanted to anoint Jesus with “costly perfume” will always be conjecture. What we do know for sure, though, is that … Continue reading Post # 23 – “Following the Master
Post # 22 – “Following the Master”
Matt. 25 – The first two parables in this chapter and the third scenario all seem to me to be speaking of the final judgment of all mankind, not an extension of the discussion of the destruction of Jerusalem at the end of Chapter 23 and all of Chapter 24. Note the introduction of the … Continue reading Post # 22 – “Following the Master”
Post # 21 – “Following the Master”
Matt. 24:1-14 – To the early disciples, what Jesus prophesies must have been mind-boggling. How could the Temple be torn down? How could one stone not be left upon another? In Matthew 23, Jesus had stated that the Jews’ “house would be left desolate.” The disciples knew that Jesus would be “coming,” but they wanted to know … Continue reading Post # 21 – “Following the Master”
Post # 20 – “Following the Master”
Matt. 23:1-12 – No group of people received more condemnation from our Lord than the religious leaders of His day. The hypocrisy of their lifestyle was abhorrent to Jesus. Jesus openly exposes even their ‘good deeds’ as those only done “to be noticed by men.” True discipleship is never about how many people compliment you, never about … Continue reading Post # 20 – “Following the Master”
Post # 19 – “Following the Master”
Matt. 22:1-14 – This parable is an obvious warning to the wayward and disobedient children of Israel . . . but what is our takeaway as modern disciples? First, our King is still inviting souls to His Son’s wedding feast today, and His table is ready. We, as disciples, are the bondslaves who should be bringing the … Continue reading Post # 19 – “Following the Master”
Post # 18 – “Following the Master”
Matt. 21:12-13 – This is the second time Jesus cleanses the Temple (cf. John 2:13-16). It surprised me the first time I realized as a boy that Jesus cleansed the Temple twice. Why didn’t the merchandising Jews get the message the first time and change their covetous ways? Now I realize they had no desire to … Continue reading Post # 18 – “Following the Master”
Post # 17 – “Following the Master”
Matt. 20:1-16 – This parable would not sit well with American labor laws, but remember, this parable is not about labor laws or fairness. It is about the generosity and grace of God. He wants everyone to receive the fruits of His Kingdom, and none of us earn those fruits, no matter how much of our lives have been … Continue reading Post # 17 – “Following the Master”
Post # 16 – “Following the Master”
Matt. 19:13-15 – In last week’s meditations, we discussed Jesus’ statement that “unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.” Jesus also used a child as an object lesson of the humility we need to adopt in the Kingdom. Jesus now receives children in order to lay His hands … Continue reading Post # 16 – “Following the Master”