Wednesday in the Word

Jesus ends his commissioning of the Twelve with a surprising encouragement: the way people receive his messengers reveals how they are receiving him—and the God who sent him. In this episode, we walk through Matthew 10:40–42 to understand what it means to “receive” a prophet, a righteous person, and “one of these little ones,” and how eternal reward is tied to a humble, genuine response to God’s p...

Jesus says he did not come to bring peace, but a sword, and in this episode, we slow down to understand what that really means. Working through Matthew 10:34–39, we look at how Jesus’ words fit into the Old Testament hope for a peaceful Messiah, why he quotes Micah, and how his coming confronts each of us with a costly but life-giving choice of loyalty. In this week’s episode, we explore: How Matt...

In this episode of Wednesday in the Word , we turn to Matthew 10:24–33 and wrestle with a searching question: Who do you fear? As Jesus sends the twelve out as his representatives, he prepares them – and us – for rejection, opposition, and cost. Yet beneath his warnings lies a deeper invitation: to let the fear of God, not the fear of people, shape our choices, our loyalties, and our hope. In this...

Jesus tells his disciples to flee persecution—but then adds a puzzling phrase about his return. What did he mean, and why does it matter? In this episode, Krisan Marotta tackles one of the most debated verses in the New Testament. As Jesus sends out the twelve, he tells them they will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. This short sentence opens up big questio...

Jesus sends his disciples out with no supplies, no safety net, and a clear warning: expect rejection. In this episode, Krisan Marotta continues exploring Jesus’ second major teaching discourse in the Gospel of Matthew. As he sends out the twelve disciples to minister on his behalf, Jesus gives them surprising instructions. Instead of preparing for a successful campaign, he prepares them for hardsh...

Before the disciples were sent, Jesus saw the crowds and he had compassion. In this episode of Wednesday in the Word , Krisan Marotta opens a new section in the Gospel of Matthew as Jesus prepares to send out the twelve disciples. But first, we see what moved him to act: compassion for people who were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. That compassion launches a mission. Jesus n...

Jesus heals two blind men and a mute man, but the real question isn’t what he can do—it’s whether we’re willing to believe what those miracles mean. In this final episode of Matthew chapter 9, Krisan Marotta guides us through two striking healings that mark a turning point in Jesus’ ministry. As the crowds grow more amazed, the Pharisees grow more hostile. These miracles are more than moments of c...

When death seems final, Jesus shows that it isn’t. In this episode, Krisan Marotta walks us through the story of Jairus, a synagogue leader who risks everything to beg Jesus for help when his daughter is dying. But before they even reach the house, news arrives that it’s too late—she’s already gone. What follows is not only a demonstration of Jesus’ authority over death, but also a powerful portra...

In this episode of Wednesday in the Word , Krisan Marotta unpacks the quiet but powerful story of a woman who reaches out to Jesus in the middle of a crowd, desperate for healing after twelve long years of suffering. Her faith isn’t loud or dramatic, but it’s real—and Jesus sees it. This moment reveals not only Christ’s power to heal but his desire to restore, comfort, and affirm those the world h...

In this episode of Wednesday in the Word , Krisan Marotta examines one of Jesus’ most striking confrontations with the religious traditions of his time. When questioned about why his disciples don’t fast like the Pharisees or John the Baptist’s followers, Jesus responds with powerful imagery about weddings, wine, and worn-out garments. This passage challenges us to consider whether our religious p...

Jesus didn’t avoid sinners. He ate with them. But not to excuse sin. He came to heal it. In this episode, we reflect on one of the most personal and theologically loaded moments in Matthew’s Gospel: the call of Matthew and Jesus’ decision to dine with tax collectors and sinners. This encounter isn’t just about hospitality. It’s a confrontation with the religious leaders of the day over what righte...

Jesus didn’t just heal a man’s body—he forgave his sins. And that changed everything. In this episode, we look at the moment Jesus heals a paralyzed man in Capernaum. But the real surprise isn’t the miracle. It’s what Jesus says first: “Your sins are forgiven.” This story draws a sharp line between those who come to Jesus in faith and those who stand by in judgment. It reveals not only what Jesus...

Even the darkest forces must bow to the authority of Jesus. In this episode, we explore one of the most unsettling and revealing moments in Matthew’s Gospel. Two violent, demon-possessed men confront Jesus—and the demons inside them immediately recognize his authority. What follows is a strange and unforgettable scene involving a herd of pigs, a frightened town, and a powerful reminder of who Jesu...

When storms hit, our fear often reveals what we really believe about Jesus. In this episode, we explore the familiar story of Jesus calming the storm—but this time, with fresh eyes on the fear behind the fear. The disciples panic not just because of the wind and waves, but because they wonder: does Jesus care? Can he help? Is he really who he says he is? As Jesus sleeps through the storm, their fa...

Following Jesus means more than admiration. It means surrender. In this episode, we look at two short but striking conversations Jesus has with would-be disciples. One wants to follow him “wherever you go.” The other wants to delay following until it’s more convenient. In both cases, Jesus responds with words that are intentionally cryptic—and deeply revealing. These interactions pull us into the...

Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law—and Matthew says it fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy. But how exactly? In this episode, we explore how Jesus’ miracles aren’t just acts of compassion or proof of divine power—they’re signposts pointing to a deeper truth. When Jesus heals the sick or casts out demons, he’s not just solving temporary problems. He’s revealing who he is and what he came to do. And Matthew w...

What kind of authority does Jesus really have—and what should we do about it? In this episode, we explore the turning point between Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount and his powerful acts of healing. As Matthew shifts from words to miracles, a central question emerges: Does Jesus truly speak and act with God’s authority? And how should we respond to that authority? In this week’s episode,...

How did Jesus had to our understanding of what should we do or not do on the Sabbath? He taught that Sabbath is a rest that is given, not earned, and that our “job” is to enjoy it, not to live up to it. Passages: Mark 2:23-3:6; 1 Samuel 21:1-6; Leviticus 24:5-9; Matthew 12:1-8  Series: Sabbath: Why, how and when Most people fail at Bible study because no one ever taught them how. Bible Study Boot...

Sabbath rest is yet to come —the rest we enjoy today anticipates the real Sabbath rest that awaits us in the kingdom. That future rest is granted to those who have saving faith in Jesus Christ. Passages: Hebrews 3:7-13; Psalm 95; Exodus 17; Hebrew 4:1-16  Series: Sabbath: Why, how and when Most people fail at Bible study because no one ever taught them how. Bible Study Boot Camp fixes that: one sh...

How do we keep the Sabbath? The simple command is not to work. We stop the activities we do that sustain our lives and instead we do the things that most foster our relationship to, understanding of and dependence on God. Passages: Exodus 16;  Exodus 35:1-3; Numbers 15:32-36; Nehemiah 13:15-22; Psalm 46  Series: Sabbath: Why, how and when Most people fail at Bible study because no one ever taught...

Sabbath is about who God is. It’s not about what we need to live healthy lives. It’s not about making sure we get our rest so that we can be productive at work, be nice to our family and stay awake during Bible Studies (though none of those things are bad things). Sabbath reminds us who God is. Because as we’ll see, on the Sabbath, we rest to remember God. Passages: Exodus 20:8-11; Genesis 2:1-3;...

What if God has called me to something and I'm just plain afraid to follow?  What if the path He has put before me seems too frightening or overwhelming? Passages: 2 Kings 6  Series: When God Calls: 5 ways to run your race well Most people fail at Bible study because no one ever taught them how. Bible Study Boot Camp fixes that: one short email a day for a week, plus a worksheet you can use o...

How do you accomplish great things for the kingdom of God and quiet that inner voice that says whatever you're doing, it's not enough? In 2Kings 5 we see a series of contrasts between how the world measures greatness and God measures greatness. Passages: 2 Kings 5  Series: When God Calls: 5 ways to run your race well Most people fail at Bible study because no one ever taught them how. Bi...

When God called Elisha to be succeed the prophet Elijah, Elisha was a farmer with no apparent qualifications. Yet Elisha burned his ox and followed. Then Elisha refused to leave his mentor's side, humbly asking that God equip him for the journey ahead. Passages:  1 Kings 19:19-21; 2 Kings 2:1-6;  2 Kings 2:7-14  Series: When God Calls: 5 ways to run your race well Most people fail at Bible st...

Habakkuk 3 records a prophet who has heard God’s terrifying answer, trembles to his core, and yet chooses to rejoice in the God of his salvation. In this episode, Krisan Marotta walks through Habakkuk 3:1–19 as a prayer set to music—a vision of God’s majestic coming in judgment and salvation that leads Habakkuk from anxiety and dread to quiet, settled trust.  In this week’s episode, we explore: Ho...