Put Asunder? Jesus next turns to the matter of divorce. Do you suppose it is a coincidence that Jesus moves from adultery directly to a teaching on divorce? Jesus teaches more on divorce in chapter 19. But to whet our appetites a bit, here’s a big but about it from that passage, where Jesus said… Continue reading

Take Radical Action ~ Jesus employs the same logic concerning adultery. The people were all familiar with the laws about marital faithfulness. People could be stoned to death were they caught in adultery. Soap operas could have been named As The Stones Fly. Jesus employed a big but again to move our understanding beyond: But… Continue reading

But To Fulfill ~ Jesus goes on address a number of the laws that have been a part of the ancient story’s telling since its earliest iterations. As Matthew’s initial audience so revered the Law and the Prophets—that was what they called the books that made up the Bible of their day—he records a big… Continue reading

You Talking to Me? Simon, Andrew, James and John heard Jesus’ call that day, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” All of the gospel writers record that the men pulled their boats ashore, left their boats and nets behind, and followed him. They’d still be fishermen. But fishing, in their experience,… Continue reading

But Shifting Gears for a Moment Immediately after the record of his temptation, we come to a turning point in the life of Christ—and in Matthew’s record—from Jesus’ preparation to his public ministry. When Jesus learned that John the Baptist has been jailed, he returned to the region of Galilee. Galilee in Jesus’ day was… Continue reading

The Big But In answering evil’s invitation to satisfy his appetite by snapping up some bread, Jesus quotes Moses from the ancient scriptures in answering the temptation: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Jesus’ used the word but here to slam the door… Continue reading