Encounter the Truth

There are two ways to respond to Jesus: cynical questioning or willing obedience. This evil generation refuses to repent and believe, and faces a fearful future. Those who do the will of the Father, by contrast, are welcomed into the family. How will you respond? Do you recognize the blessing and privilege of being part of the family of God?

There are two ways to respond to Jesus: cynical questioning or willing obedience. This evil generation refuses to repent and believe, and faces a fearful future. Those who do the will of the Father, by contrast, are welcomed into the family. How will you respond? Do you recognize the blessing and privilege of being part of the family of God?

How much does Jesus matter—and how much does my response to him matter? What is at stake when it comes to what we think of him and what we say of him? And, more fundamentally, what is at stake in the ministry of Jesus Christ itself? The stakes are higher than we might imagine because Jesus is engaged in a clash of kingdoms.

How much does Jesus matter—and how much does my response to him matter? What is at stake when it comes to what we think of him and what we say of him? And, more fundamentally, what is at stake in the ministry of Jesus Christ itself? The stakes are higher than we might imagine because Jesus is engaged in a clash of kingdoms.

Matthew highlights for us the fact that Jesus brings true rest in utter contrast to what the religious leaders offered. Having told us that his yoke is easy and his burden is light, Jesus now confronts religious legalism and shows us that his Lordship overrules such pettiness and brings true healing and gospel freedom.

Matthew highlights for us the fact that Jesus brings true rest in utter contrast to what the religious leaders offered. Having told us that his yoke is easy and his burden is light, Jesus now confronts religious legalism and shows us that his Lordship overrules such pettiness and brings true healing and gospel freedom.

Reactions to Jesus were mixed in the days of his earthly ministry—and they remain so today. And to get to grips with the dynamics of people's responses, we need to know and understand two aspects of Jesus' character and identity that might almost seem contradictory, but which hold together perfectly in him: Jesus Christ has all authority—while at the same time, he is gentle and lowly.

Reactions to Jesus were mixed in the days of his earthly ministry—and they remain so today. And to get to grips with the dynamics of people's responses, we need to know and understand two aspects of Jesus' character and identity that might almost seem contradictory, but which hold together perfectly in him: Jesus Christ has all authority—while at the same time, he is gentle and lowly.

As Jesus engages with the crowds, we begin to see how the world responds to Jesus Christ—and we see what Jesus makes of their responses. These engagements, of course, carry vital lessons for us as we consider our own response to Jesus. And so we want to observe them carefully to ensure that we respond rightly to Jesus—and keep on responding rightly to him.

As Jesus engages with the crowds, we begin to see how the world responds to Jesus Christ—and we see what Jesus makes of their responses. These engagements, of course, carry vital lessons for us as we consider our own response to Jesus. And so we want to observe them carefully to ensure that we respond rightly to Jesus—and keep on responding rightly to him.

In Matthew 10, Jesus sets out clear expectations for his followers of what it will look like to serve him and walk with him. And he wants us to know, quite frankly, that if we were trying to find our way to a lifestyle dream—a place of comfort and pampering—we have come to the wrong place, and we have chosen the wrong Lord.

In Matthew 10, Jesus sets out clear expectations for his followers of what it will look like to serve him and walk with him. And he wants us to know, quite frankly, that if we were trying to find our way to a lifestyle dream—a place of comfort and pampering—we have come to the wrong place, and we have chosen the wrong Lord.

The opening of Jesus’ public ministry sets the tone for that ministry and shows the blessing it will bring: there is light for those in darkness, there is an invitation for ordinary people to follow, there is healing for the sick. Our response is obvious: we must joyfully follow him, too.

The opening of Jesus’ public ministry sets the tone for that ministry and shows the blessing it will bring: there is light for those in darkness, there is an invitation for ordinary people to follow, there is healing for the sick. Our response is obvious: we must joyfully follow him, too.

As Israel spent 40 years being tested in the wilderness, so Jesus spends 40 days—and is proved entirely faithful. The faithfulness of Jesus, God’s true Son, is the foundation for our salvation. His perfectly righteous life is the basis of our standing before the Father.

As Israel spent 40 years being tested in the wilderness, so Jesus spends 40 days—and is proved entirely faithful. The faithfulness of Jesus, God’s true Son, is the foundation for our salvation. His perfectly righteous life is the basis of our standing before the Father.

In entering the water of baptism alongside repentant sinners, Jesus identifies with them. Ultimately, he will fulfil all righteousness by taking their place at the cross and standing for them as the Son who truly pleases the Father.

In entering the water of baptism alongside repentant sinners, Jesus identifies with them. Ultimately, he will fulfil all righteousness by taking their place at the cross and standing for them as the Son who truly pleases the Father.

John the Baptist heralds the Lord’s arrival. Many might have expected the arrival of the Lord’s salvation to be news of pure comfort, but his arrival will actually be uncomfortable for everyone: he will refine his people and judge his enemies. The right response to the arrival of Jesus’ Kingdom is to repent—for this kingdom will be made up of those who repent and show fruit.

John the Baptist heralds the Lord’s arrival. Many might have expected the arrival of the Lord’s salvation to be news of pure comfort, but his arrival will actually be uncomfortable for everyone: he will refine his people and judge his enemies. The right response to the arrival of Jesus’ Kingdom is to repent—for this kingdom will be made up of those who repent and show fruit.

After baby Jesus is born, God makes him the fulfilment and embodiment of his plans for his ‘son’ Israel, whom he previously called out of Egypt. As the story progresses, we will see how he is faithful in that calling where Israel was not. Ultimately, Matthew will show us that the salvation of God’s people rests entirely on the faithfulness of Jesus in his calling to be God’s true ‘son’.

After baby Jesus is born, God makes him the fulfilment and embodiment of his plans for his ‘son’ Israel, whom he previously called out of Egypt. As the story progresses, we will see how he is faithful in that calling where Israel was not. Ultimately, Matthew will show us that the salvation of God’s people rests entirely on the faithfulness of Jesus in his calling to be God’s true ‘son’.

God’s “righteousness” is his character of total rightness, integrity, goodness and truth—and his “justice” is his expression of that character in his governance of the universe. And the two ideas, although distinct, belong together in the Bible’s portrait of God.

God’s “righteousness” is his character of total rightness, integrity, goodness and truth—and his “justice” is his expression of that character in his governance of the universe. And the two ideas, although distinct, belong together in the Bible’s portrait of God.

In an apparently shocking contrast, Jesus calls out the religious insiders for hypocrisy and exposes their sin, while ultimately welcoming an outsider who comes to him in humble faith. He makes it clear that religious ritual is worthless as a means to cleanse from sin. Only humble faith in the Son of David has any power. Where have religion and ritual become a mask for sin in our lives? Are we cas...