By Mike Peek

Reading: Matthew 3-4. Before the ministry of Jesus began, John the Baptist was preaching repentance and baptizing in the Jordan. Jesus came to be baptized by John. After he was baptized and came up out of the water, the Spirit of God descended on him and God the Father spoke from heaven saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” Then Jesus goes into the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights to be tempted by the devil. Three times the devil tempted Jesus and Jesus always answered from Scripture. Then Jesus came into Galilee, he moved from Nazareth and settled by the sea in Capernaum as his base, which fulfilled the word of Isaiah 9:1. From that time on Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Jesus called Peter, James and John from their occupations as fishermen by saying, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” When Jesus called them, they immediately left everything and followed him. Lastly, “J esus was going througho...

Today I began reading from the gospels. On Sunday, January 3, 2021 I started a fifty-two week reading plan in which I will read a different genre of Scripture on each day of the week: Sunday - epistles; Monday - Law; Tuesday - history; Wednesday - Psalms; Thursday - poetry; Friday - prophets; Saturday - the gospels and Acts. It is very interesting reading the Scriptures in this way. When I saw the reading plan, the format appealed to me because it is the way that I studied the Scriptures in the Bible survey classes at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. This format allows me to see the entire canon of Scripture as a whole during a week. Some genres are much longer than others; therefore, my reading on some days is brief (Psalms) and other days (history and prophets) much longer. Today I read the birth of the Messiah in Matthew 1-2. Having read from the other genres during the week, coming to the birth of the Messiah had a fuller meaning. One thing that I caught but had read many t...

What does it say? An angel rolled back the stone from the tomb and sat on it and the guards shook with fear. However, when the women came, the angel said, “Do not be afraid, Jesus is not here, his is risen.” The angel told the women to tell his disciples that Jesus will meet them in Galilee. The women departed with fear and joy until they met Jesus and he greeted them. They worshiped him and he told them to tell his brethren to meet him in Galilee. Some of the soldiers reported to the chief priests what happened. The chief priest bribed them with a large sum of money to say that his disciples came by night and stole the body. The eleven disciples went to the mountain in Galilee that Jesus designated. They saw him and worshiped him but some were doubtful. Jesus commissioned them to make disciples, baptize and teach the new disciples to observe all that he commanded to the end of the age. What does it mean? There are four facts concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ in this text. Th...

What does it say? The chief priest and elders delivered Jesus to the Roman governor Pilate. Judas hanged himself when he saw that Jesus was condemned. Thief priest took the money that they had paid him to deliver Jesus and bought the potters field in fulfillment of prophecy. The Roman governor was amazed that Jesus did not answer any of the allegations that the chief priest and elders made against him. Pilot knew that they had delivered Jesus because of envy; therefore, he thought to ask the people if they wanted him to release Jesus or Barabbas. Pilot’s wife warned him that Jesus is a righteous man; meanwhile, the chief priest and elders persuaded the people to ask for Barabbas. The people requested that Jesus be crucified; therefore, after publicly washing his hands, Pilot had Jesus scourged and handed him over to be crucified. The soldiers made a mockery of Jesus as king of the Jews. They made Simon of Cyrene carry Jesus’ cross. At the place of the skull, they gave Jesus wine mixed ...

What does it say? Jesus told his disciples that in two days time he would be handed over for crucifixion. The leaders of the Jews plotted to seize and kill Jesus, but they feared the people, so they did not think that it wise to seize him during the festival until Judas Iscariot came to them willing to betray him for money. Jesus had reprimanded the disciples for reprimanding a woman who poured a jar of fine perfume on his head. While reclining at the table during the Passover supper, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.” (NASB)  Each disciples said, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” However, Judas did not call him Lord but used the title Rabbi. Jesus gave the disciples bread to eat and wine to drink as a physical metaphors representing his body and his blood spilled out as a sin sacrifice. Jesus told the disciples that they would all fall away this night but would be gathered again after his resurrection. Peter vowed that he would never fall away but Jesus tol...

What does it say? The Lord gave his disciples three parables to bring understanding about the end times. The first is a parable about ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. The five foolish virgins took no oil and the five prudent took oil in flasks. When the bridegroom came, the five foolish were in the market place buying oil. The prudent went into the feast but the foolish were shut out. The second is the parable of the talents given to three slaves. Each was given talents according to his own ability. The first two doubled the landowners talents but the third hid his talent because he feared loosing it. The landowner said, “Well done” to the first two slaves but he cursed the third slave who hid his talent. He also gave his talent to the one who had five talents. The third is the Judgment. The Son of Man is going to come in his glory, with the angels and sit on his glorious throne to judge all of the people of the earth. He will divide them into two g...

What does it say? The disciples, admiring the temple buildings, pointed them out to Jesus; however, he told them that not one stone will be left upon another. While sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples asked  Jesus three questions: When will the temple be destroyed? What will be the sign of your coming? What will be the sign of the end of the age? The first thing that Jesus tells them is to not be mislead by others. Then he tells them that they will be delivered to tribulation, killed and hated by all nations for his name sake. Then he speaks directly to the destruction of the temple saying, when you see the abomination fo desolation (Dan 9:27; 11:31; 12:11) standing in the holy place then flee; however, the tribulation of the last days will go on for a long time and many false Christ and false prophets will arise to deceive many but the sign of Christ’s return will be obvious. All of the tribes of the earth will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with powe...

What does it say? Jesus spoke to the crowds and the disciples about the scribes and the Pharisees. He said that they have seated themselves in the chair of Moses. He said, therefore, do as they say but do not do as they do. They like to seek honor before men and to be called  Rabbi. However, Jesus said to not be called teacher because one is your teacher and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on the earth father because one is your Father and he is in heaven. Do not be called leaders because one is your leader and he is the Christ. Jesus gave eight woes to the scribes and Pharisees and he called them hypocrites because they lay burdens on people that they are not willing to do themselves. Jesus said that he wanted to gather all of Jerusalem together like children and protect them, but they were unwilling; therefore, they will not see him again until they say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Ps 118:26)  What does it mean? Many of the words of Jesus get...

What does it say? Jesus told a parable about a kings wedding feast. The first group that was invited to the wedding feast refused to come. In fact, they abused the servants that came to them; therefore, the king sent his army to destroy their city. Then the king sent out his servants to gather people from everywhere. On the day of the feast, there was a man not dressed in wedding clothes; therefore, the king had him thrown out into the outer darkness, were there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Jesus concluded by saying, “For many are called, but few are chosen.  The Pharisees sent their disciples and the Herodians to Jesus, to try and trick him, so that they might accuse him of insurrection, but Jesus said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and render to God the things that are God’s.” The Sadducees thought that they could stump Jesus about the resurrection using human logic but Jesus answered with Scripture alone; therefore, confounding their understanding. A lawyer...

What does it say? Jesus came into Jerusalem riding on the back of a donkey and her colt. This was in fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9.  The people called Jesus the Son of David and shouted the words of Psalm 118:26. Jesus cleared the temple of those who were using it to make prophet from the people. Jesus was healing and the children continued to shout, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” Jesus received the praise of the children as it is written about him in Psalm 8:2. When Jesus returned the next day, he saw a barron fig tree and cursed it. This amazed the disciples and Jesus told them that if they believe in prayer they will do likewise. The chief priest and the elders questioned Jesus’ authority. Jesus told them that he would answer by whose authority he was acting, if they answered, by whose authority did John baptize? They answered, we do not know because they feared the people. Jesus followed up with two parables: The first was about two sons. The first of the two sons refused to wor...

Laborers in the Kingdom The Lord God is willing to pay anyone who will come to work for him. It does not matter when a person is called, all will receive the same reward. However, there is a progression of things. Those who were called first will receive their reward last and those who were called last will receive their reward first. The way of things is flipped in the kingdom of God. There are three things to consider: First, none deserve the reward that the land owner gives. Second, all will receive an equal reward. Third, the land owner is very generous. Why should anyone be bothered if someone else gets the same reward? No one deserves the reward that they receive. The reward is eternal life in the new heaven and the new earth with God and his Christ.  Death and Resurrection Jesus did not keep his passion a secret from his disciples. They either did not want to believe or did not understand what he was saying. To go forward knowing that the one whom you love will be arrested a...

Concerning Divorce When Jesus completed his teaching about forgiveness he departed the northern region of Galilee and come into the southern region of Judea. Just like in Galilee, large crowds followed him and he healed them but some Pharisees tested Jesus regarding the legality of divorce because this was a debated topic between rabbinic schools. Deuteronomy 24:1-4 was the debated text:  The school of *Shammai, predominant in Jesus’ day, argued that the passage allowed divorce only if one’s spouse was unfaithful; the school of Hillel, which eventually won out, said that a man could divorce his wife if she burned the toast (a later rabbi of this school added, “Or if you find someone more attractive”!). (IVP BBC NT)  So, they asked Jesus if there was any reason for a man to divorce his wife. Jesus did not use the debated text but went back to Genesis 1:27. The male and female are one flesh in the eyes of God. Therefore, they questioned Jesus directly about Deuteronomy 24:1-4, s...

What does it say? The disciples asked Jesus “who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus answered them with the example of a child and said that they shall be like children in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus then begins to talk about causing others to stumble and says “woe to him who causes others to stumble.” Whatever causes you to stumble should be removed from your life. The weakest in the congregation should not be despised but cared for the most. God’s will is that all whom he has given to the Son will not perish. Then Jesus begins teaching about relationships in the church. There is a time to severe a relationship because of sin, but not before doing everything possible to get the other person to repent. Meet with the person one on one, then take one or two more, then tell it to the entire church that all may plead with the person, but if the person will not listen to the church, then severe the relationship. What the church decides on earth with loving care, will also be b...

What does it say? Moses and Elijah appeared talking with Jesus transfigured before Peter, James and John on a high mountain by themselves. Peter wanted to make three tabernacles but God said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to him!” The three men were terrified until Jesus touched them and said, “Do not be afraid.” When they looked up they saw Jesus alone. Jesus told the three disciples to not tell anyone this vision until he had risen from the dead. They questioned Jesus about Old Testament prophecy concerning Elijah and in so many words, Jesus told them that John was the last of the Old Testament prophets. Jesus rebuked a demon who was afflicting a young boy but he called those in the vicinity of the boy an unbelieving and perverted generation. The disciples asked Jesus why they could not drive out the demon and he told them because of the littleness of their faith. Jesus told the disciples that he was going to be arrested and killed but he would raised o...

What does it say? Jesus had done many miraculous signs; healing all who were brought to him of their illnesses and casting out demons, yet the Pharisees and Sadducees asked to see a sign from heaven but the only sign that Jesus would give them is the sign of Jonah. Jesus warned his disciples to beware of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees but called their teaching leaven, so the disciples thought he was speaking of bread; therefore, he had to explain the meaning to them. Jesus asked who do people say that he is and they answered a prophet. Then Jesus asked, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter spoke the truth: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus called Peter blessed and said that it was God who revealed this to him and not man. Jesus said that on this confession, he will build his church, and he said, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” However, Jesus warned the disciples not to tell anyone at this time. From this time Jesus began to ...

What does it say? The Pharisees question Jesus, as to the why his disciples do not observe the hand washing tradition of the elders, but he answers them, by showing the Pharisees that they are teaching the precepts of men and ignoring the commandments of God. Jesus said to the crowd that a person is not defiled by what he eats but by what he says. The disciples were concerned that Jesus words offended the Pharisees; therefore, Jesus told his disciples that the Pharisees are false teachers. Jesus’ disciples confessed that the did not understand the statement about what defiles a man, so Jesus explained to them the workings of the gastrointestinal system. Then he explained to them that all sin begins with evil thoughts, which manifest in evil words and evil actions. A woman whose physical birth was not from one of the tribes of Israel came and asked Jesus to heal her daughter. Jesus refused her request but after she answered wisely he healed her daughter and he called the woman’s faith g...

What does it say? Herod hearing the news about Jesus believed that he might be John the Baptist risen from the dead. Herod imprisoned John the Baptist for saying that it was unlawful for Herod to marry his brother’s wife Herodias. Herod made a hasty promise to the daughter of Herodias, before his birthday guest, to give her whatever she desired; she asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter, having been prompted by her mother, his head was severed from his body and brought to the young woman on a platter. Having heard the news about John, Jesus withdrew to a secluded place across the sea to pray. Jesus feed five thousand men with five loaves and two fish, and there was enough leftovers to fill twelve baskets. Jesus withdrew to the mountain by himself to pray but that night he came to the disciples walking on the sea and they were frightened. Peter got out of the boat (at Jesus command) and began walking to him but he doubted and began to sink; therefore, he called out to the ...

What does it say? Jesus (from a boat) began speaking to a crowd who gathered by sea. He told a parable about a man sowing seed and only one of four soils (the good soil) yielded a crop. Afterwords, the disciples asked Jesus why he teaches the crowds in parables and the answer that he gave is that it has not been granted to them to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. However, the disciples have been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus then explains the parable of the sower to the disciples: The four soils represent four types of hearers one does not hear at all, one receives with joy but is short lived, one bears no fruit because of the worries of the world; however, the disciple hears the word and yields fruit. Jesus told the crowds a parable about a good sower and a bad sower. In another parable the mustered seed which begins small and grows larger than any garden plant. In the parable of the leavened bread, the leaven spreads throughout the loaf. Je...

Jesus proves to be perfect wisdom in human flesh. The Scribes and Pharisees attempt time and time again to trick Jesus or make him sound foolish but they are the ones made out to be fools.  The Sabbath was given by the Lord to the Sons of Israel for two reasons: First, would they trust his word. Second, for their benefit. However, the pharisees made additional laws to keep people from breaking the Sabbath. The Sabbath became a burden rather than a blessing for the people of God. Jesus would later tell Pilot, “For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” (Jn. 18:37, NASB) The pharisees were not teaching the truth about the Sabbath; therefore, understanding about the Sabbath is one area that the Messiah came to redeem. Jesus said something that must have sounded atrocious to them. He claimed to be Lord of the Sabbath. Now why would he say that? Because the pharisees (by making additional law...

In the previous chapter Jesus gave his disciples instruction and sent them out to proclaim the coming kingdom of heaven. John heard from prison what Jesus was doing and he sent his disciples to question him: “Are you the coming one?” Jesus answered them with Scripture being fulfilled by his works; namely, Isaiah 31:5f and Isaiah 61:1. Someone looking for the Messiah to come would be looking for fulfillment of these prophecies. But there is another prophecy that has been fulfilled and is being fulfilled. Jesus only states the first half of the prophecy because it is this half that relates to John the Baptist; the propecy is Malachi 3:1. The second half of the prophecy is already fulfilled in inauguration but not yet in consumption. The second half of the prohecy is the day of the Lord, when he sits down on his glorious thrown and all things are made new. Jesus calls John the best man that has ever lived, yet he is not greater than the citizens in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus then compar...