Real Voices

Jesus warned His disciples that they would face opposition in their lives because they adhered to Jesus and his kingdom. As He told them about conflict, there is a crucial aspect of discipleship that he revealed. “A disciple is not above the teacher nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple […]

Followers of Jesus have the best possible news the world can hear. Some people gladly receive our message, but others fiercely oppose it. Jesus warns his followers that opposition will come and he gives us ways to respond to it. “I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves, so be wise […]

One thing that fascinates me about Jesus’ followers is the vast number who remain unnamed. For instance, Matthew writes his gospel for a specific church community, yet we never encounter the names of any individual members. Jesus had a multitude of followers, but many of Jesus’ closest followers are mentioned only one time. . In […]

In Matthew 4:23-25, Matthew concludes an account of Jesus’s work by providing a summary statement of his activity in Galilee. After that summary statement, there is a time of teaching, the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5-7. Matthew 8-9 picks up more of Jesus’s activity with 10 healing and miracle accounts. This section […]

The Gospel of Matthew 8-9 recounts ten miracles where Jesus demonstrates his power to heal. Interestingly, these episodes are interspersed with accounts of spiritual blindness, not just among the religious authorities, but even among Jesus’ close followers. The following miracle, the healing of two blind men, can be interpreted on two levels. It signifies not […]

When I first started following Jesus, I believed that I had to work up my faith to some acceptable level. The two passages we’re going to see today reveal that faith is nothing more than coming to Jesus and trusting Him with our needs. A leader of the synagogue was desperate, and he had enough […]

The Gospel of Matthew demonstrates that Jesus has a different concept of righteousness than the Pharisees. He associates with tax collectors and sinners, even holding a banquet with them. Now, he comes into conflict with the disciples of John. Their question is: what is his position concerning the accepted standards of righteousness, specifically regarding fasting? […]

Much of Jesus’ ministry took place away from Jerusalem, in the Galilee region. His home base of operations was Capernaum, and this is where the calling of Matthew took place. As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax-collection station, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he […]

Several of my blog articles have noted that the issue of authority is prominent in the Gospel of Matthew. This one is no exception. This time, we find that the one who has the power to heal also has the power to attack the very root of all sickness and suffering – sin. And some […]

The person of Jesus is at the core of the next episode of his healing miracles. The demons immediately understand the true identity of Jesus and address him as the Son of God. When he came to the other side, to the region of the Gadarenes, two men possessed by demons came out of the […]