Walking with Messiah Jesus

Matthew 14:13-21 | Mark 6:30-44 | John 6:1-15 | The Feeding of the 5,000 is one of the most famous miracles of Jesus. It shows up in all four Gospel accounts. What makes this story so significant? Yes, it’s amazing enough that Jesus could feed all of those people with only 5 loaves and 2 fish, but there is way more embedded in the story. A deeper look drives us into the Old Testament, the promises...

Mark 6:21-29 | Jesus called Herod a fox, but it doesn’t mean what you think it means. While we’re at it, don’t expect too many positive life lessons from Herod Antipas. He is a prime example of pride and ambition getting the best of someone, leaving him and others worse off in the process. This episode includes some fascinating cultural revelations that make clear passages of scripture that seem o...

Mark 6:14-26 | In between the sending and the return of Jesus’ disciples on their missionary journey, Mark tells the story of the death of John the Baptist as a flashback. It gives us an intriguing look at Herod Antipas and how the word of God that came from the mouth of John even touched the heart of a narcissistic leader like Herod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this wit...

Matthew 10:39-42, Mark 6:12-14 | Surrender to God and his purposes is what life has always been about. Sin brings us to think that we are somehow in charge and can manipulate life toward our selfish ends. Jesus makes it clear that the coming of his heavenly kingdom on the earth will bring a restoration of that surrender. He describes it as dying in order to live. This teaching is nothing new. Abra...

Matthew 10:28-38 | Being sent by Jesus to decare the Kingdom of heaven on earth is not for the faint of heart. This is the Kingdom that brings life and salvation for the sake of all people, yet so many will outright reject their own salvation and seek harm upon those who deliver that good news. Jesus wants bold followers to take this message of life to the world, even if it kills them. This is a p...

Matthew 10:19-27 | Being sent by Jesus to declare the Kingdom of heaven is not for the faint of heart! Not only where the disciples sent with nothing and told to do things that only Jesus could do, it would get them in trouble! No worries. The Spirit would speak through them in pressure situations. Thew were sent in the name of Jesus. Pretty soon, everyone will know the secret and learn to follow...

Matthew 10:11-18 | Jesus has a mission to bring salvation to the entire world. First, he must go to his own people, the people of Israel. In true Jesus fashion, he sends his apostles to the lost sheep, the hurting and deceived from among God’s people. The eternal Garden of Eden kingdom of heaven has come for them. Good news? Yes… but not everyone will see it that way. This is a public episode. If...

Matthew 9:37-10:10 | We have precious few works from Jesus about how to conduct the mission to share the Kingdom of Heaven with the world. One of the clearest directives from Jesus is right here in Matthew 9:37. Pray. It seems underwhelming for many of us action-oriented people. However, when you take a really good look at what God is doing versus what we are doing, you might just bend a knee. Fol...

Mark 5:29-43, Matthew 9:27-36 | A woman is alienated from society for 12 years for being unclean. A 12-year old dies. Jesus has a solution for both, but it involves touching. The societal problem is that by touching them, Jesus contracts their uncleanness. But isn’t that what Jesus has come to do? Jesus has come to take our uncleanness upon himself and to exchange if for his purity. Follow along w...

Mark 5:15-28 | Jesus travelled to a Gentile, demon-filled land so that he could heal the guy with thousands of demons only to leave him there alone to be a witness to people who weren’t too crazy about Jesus when he left. When Jesus crosses the lake, he encounters two people with very different, yet challenging issues and huge faith. Follow along with the Lesson Worksheet . This is a public episod...

Mark 4:35-5:14 | Either Jesus is really sound sleeper, or Jesus is trying to tell us something about the storms of our lives. Maybe it’s both. Regardless, Jesus can sleep through the storms that threaten to kill us. He’s not impressed. Like an unruly child, he rebukes our storms and accomplishes a “great calm.” For that matter, he’s not all that impressed with a legion of demons! Follow along with...

Matthew 13:44-52 | Jesus continues his parables with two about the value of discipleship. In both, he shows that living the kingdom life is more valuable than everything else we have. He tells a parable about those who are gathered with us in the kingdom, and it’s not all good news. Toss in something old and something new and that’ll close up this round of parables with Jesus. Follow along with th...

Matthew 13:24-35, Mark 4:26-29 | A wise missionary once said, “What don’t start small, don’t get big.” He wasn’t original. Jesus’ parables are recorded to adjust the expectations of the people. The Messianic age had arrived, but not in the way they may want it or in the timeframe they desire. However, when it come in it’s fullness, it’s going to be huge! Follow along with the Lesson Worksheet . Th...

Matthew 13:3-17, Mark 4:21-22 | The parables of Jesus help us to attach a nugget of teaching to a story that allows it to stick in our minds. What can we expect when we share with others about the kingdom of heaven? Should we only share that good news with the people we think are ready to hear it? Jesus has the answer in a simple, powerful story. Follow along with the Lesson Worksheet . This is a...

Luke 8:1-3, Matthew 12:46-13:3 | Jesus pushed the envelope on many social norms. He gathered women as disciples who assisted in the funding of the mission. He taught openly so that even the poor and the oppressed could learn about God’s kingdom. He also expanded our idea of family, centering our identity in our Father the Creator. This teaching came about when Jesus’ mother and brothers decided th...

Matthew 11:12-15, Luke 7:29-50 | John the Baptist cracked the door open to the Kingdom of Heaven and the people were all in, especially the downtrodden and outcasts. The religious leaders weren’t sure what to think. Perhaps it would be unwise to get too close too soon. When a sinful woman got “too close” to Jesus, things got really interesting at dinner. Follow along with the Lesson Worksheet . Th...

Luke 7:18-28 | Much of our lives are driven by how our expectations match up with reality. John the Baptist was no different. He had certain expectations for Jesus as Messiah. When those expectations weren’t being met, he sent a delegation to question Jesus. Which Messiah are you… the one who saves by the sword, or your own blood? Follow along with the Lesson Worksheet . This is a public episode....

Luke 7:1-17 | After the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus returns to his work of proclaiming the Kingdom of Heaven through acts of mercy. Jesus has a knack of doing so in unexpected ways. First, a faith-filled centurion trusts Jesus to heal his servant. Next, an unsuspecting mother gets her son back from the dead. The interpretation? A prophet has returned to Israel? Yes, and more than anyone could antic...

Matthew 7:13-27 | We continue to explore how the Beatitudes serve as the overarching structure of the Sermon on the Mount. The 6th and 7th beatitudes closely map onto the last two sections of the Sermon regarding false prophets and building your house on the rock. How necessary is spiritual integrity? How do we have peace in the storm with room for others to take refuge? Follow along with the Less...

Matthew 7:3-12, Luke 6:37-40 | In the previous episode, I wondered aloud if the Beatitudes were the outline and structure for the Sermon on the Mount. In this episode, I test the theory on a passage that seems to be all over the place. Is this teaching about judging, specks, logs, pigs, dogs, asking, seeking and door knocking all about mercy? You can be the judge (pun intended). Follow along with...

Matthew 6:25-7:2 | Worry is our make-believe superpower. So much energy expended for things outside of our control. Jesus wants us to trust in the power of our heavenly Father, to seek his kingdom and his righteousness. We should hunger and thirst for that righteousness, as the beatitude states. In fact, those beatitudes may be more than just a nice way to start a sermon… Follow along with the Les...

Matthew 6:13-24 | The end of the Lord’s Prayer corresponds to the beginning. We are delivered from evil in order to abide with our Father, who is in heaven. To be delivered from evil is a current reality too. We need to be delivered from the selfishness that corrupts our acts of righteousness. We need to be delivered from our love of money and materialism. The treasures in heaven are infinitely su...

Matthew 6:11-13 | The Lord’s Prayer is structured in such a way that it reaches a pinnacle at the petition regarding our “daily bread.” This is the goal of the prayer. The petitions leading up to that pinnacle then inform the petitions that follow. In that way, the prayer interprets itself and focuses into a powerful expression of what Jesus has come to accomplish in and through those who follow h...

Matthew 6:9-10 | Jesus gave his disciples a prayer that summarized his teachings. This prayer sought to unite the hearts of those who prayed with the will of God in heaven, so that they may represent him in the midst of this broken world. In doing so, they set apart God’s name and become set apart themselves. Follow along with the Lesson Worksheet . This is a public episode. If you would like to d...

Matthew 6:1-9 | Jesus is all about the heart. Yes, he wants us to do good, but doing good without the right heart is the recipe for hypocrisy and steals away from us the actual reward for doing good. That reward is to celebrate the lasting benefit of good being done in a broken world filled with suffering. Follow along with the Lesson Worksheet . This is a public episode. If you would like to disc...