Text Talk

Matthew 14:1-12 In most stories, we expect the protagonist to be saved from death at the very last second. Andrew and Edwin discuss some great, but hard, lessons we learn from the fact that John the Baptist doesn't get delivered from or before death. Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.     Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email...

Matthew 13: 53-58 Jesus traveled to His hometown of Nazareth. But the people weren't too happy with Him. They didn't believe Him. Because they didn't, He didn't perform many miracles there. Andrew and Edwin discuss the practicalities of that. If people don't believe, they won't show up for the miracle. Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clickin...

Matthew 13: 44-46 Jesus tells two similar parables. One about a hidden treasure and one about a merchant searching for pearls. Is He just telling the same story twice? Or is there something else going on with these stories? Andrew and Edwin discuss the differences between the two parables and share their various opinions on why they are different. Read the written devo that goes along with this ep...

Matthew 13: 31-35 Usually when we talk about a mustard seed in the Bible, we are talking about our faith. However, Jesus talks about another mustard seed. This one is His kingdom. Andrew and Edwin survey the prophets to see what this parable about a seed growing into a huge tree is really all about. Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.     Let us know what you...

Matthew 13:10-17 Why did Jesus teach in parables? The mere fact that the disciples asked demonstrates that the common reason people think isn't actually the reason. Jesus wasn't simply trying to illustrate His teaching. Jesus wasn't trying to get down on the levels of His audience. Jesus wasn't trying to make it easy. Andrew and Edwin discuss Jesus's own response to this q...

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 The Parable of the Sower, at least that's what Jesus calls it. Andrew and Edwin discuss why Jesus calls it that instead of The Parable of the Soils like so many modern preachers call it. The emphasis is on this Farmer and why He behaves so oddly. Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.     Let us know what you are learning or any questio...

Matthew 12:43-50 Jesus turns the notion of family on its head. The family of God isn't about blood lineage or biological relationships. It's about who actually obeys God. Andrew and Edwin discuss what that means for us (especially those of us who are Gentiles). Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.     Let us know what you are learning or any questions...

Matthew 12:33-42 Happy Thanksgiving! Jesus is not only greater than the temple, He is greater than Jonah and Solomon. Andrew and Edwin discuss what makes Jesus greater than these two men. Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.     Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.     Join the Facebook commun...

Matthew 12:15-32 The Pharisees have been countering Matthew's narrative about Jesus. Clearly, Matthew is telling us Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. He is performing amazing signs and doing wonderful works. The Pharisees have to come up with a reason Jesus is doing these things but at the same time a reason folks should reject Him. Their counternarrative is that Jesus is in lea...

Matthew 12:9-14 The Pharisees and scribes wanted to test and then accuse Jesus. So, when a man with a withered hand was in the synagogue on the Sabbath, they set the trap. They asked Jesus if it was lawful or if He really had authority from God to heal people on the Sabbath. Andrew and Edwin dig into Jesus's response to learn a fantastic lesson about Bible authority, hermeneutics, and how we...

Matthew 12:1-8 Jesus and the disciples were plucking some grain on the Sabbath. When the Pharisees and scribes challenged Jesus, He rose up to the challenge. Andrew and Edwin uncover what Jesus really was saying about Himself when He talked about being greater than the temple. Don't let anyone tell you He never said it. Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here....

Matthew 11:25-30 Andrew and Edwin uncover there are at least two different kinds of children in Jesus's teaching. A few conversations ago, we learned about arrogant children who want to play the game by their own rules. In today's conversation, we find humble children who are actually a great example for us. Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.     Le...

Matthew 11:20-24 Today's culture is all about tolerance. The problem is life is preparing us for judgment and if we refuse to follow Jesus, judgment will not be tolerant at all. Andrew and Edwin discuss precisely how intolerant judgment will be and how all our protests to it won't change a thing. Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.     Let us know wh...

Matthew 11: 16-19 Jesus tells a parable that Edwin has misunderstood for a long time. Andrew has always gotten it right though. So, there is that. Which marketplace children represent Jesus and John, which ones represent the Pharisees, Scribes, and Jews. Our hosts then demonstrate how Jesus was talking as much about our generation as His. Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by...

Matthew 11: 7-15 Jesus talks about the least in the kingdom for the second time in Matthew. However, this time, He seems to mean something different. Andrew and Edwin discuss this helpful insight into Bible study. They also springboard into what true greatness really is. Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.     Let us know what you are learning or any questions...

Matthew 11: 1-6 Andrew and Edwin consider the seeming doubts of John the Baptist. Was he really unconvinced Jesus was the Messiah? Or was it something else. Edwin refers to Richard Foster's "Studies in the Life of Christ" to make a different suggestion. And that brings them to a powerful application for our own lives today when we think Jesus isn't behaving the way we expect Hi...

Matthew 10:34-42 Andrew and Edwin discuss what it really means to bear our cross. That old saying, "We all have our cross to bear," doesn't even come close to what Jesus meant. Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.     Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.     Join the Facebook co...

Matthew 10:27-39 Andrew and Edwin take a seeming contradiction head on. Jesus once said the peacemakers are blessed, but now says He didn't come to make peace. What is that about? Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.     Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.     Join the Facebook community...

Matthew 10:24-33 Andrew and Edwin discuss this different context in which Jesus talks about the disciples being like their teacher. In other contexts, it has to do with behaving like Him and teaching like Him. In this context, we are talking about suffering like Him. Wow! That's tough. But suffering like Jesus is enough for us. Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicki...

Matthew 10 Andrew and Edwin consider how we are supposed to behave because we live in the midst of wolves. They discuss what it means to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.     Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.     Join the Facebook community and...

Matthew 10:1-15 Judgment is coming. If we don't accept Jesus, it is going to be bad. We don't like to talk about that very often. But every once in a while. We just need to get down to the brass tacks. It's coming. We need to get ready. Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.     Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us...

Matthew 9:35-38 Jesus looks around at the crowds in every village and town to which He travels. He sees all kinds of people from various backgrounds. He sees them all as sheep without a shepherd. Andrew and Edwin look into the Old Testament background for this concept to help us understand what Jesus is seeing and what it means for us. Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by cli...

Matthew 9:27-34 Andrew and Edwin delve into the Pharisees' counternarrative about Jesus. The Pharisees claimed He is acting by the power of the prince of demons. Andrew and Edwin don't accept their counternarrative, but they spend some time considering it and showing the Pharisees show us our choices. We have to do something with Jesus. We either have to follow Him as Lord or castigate H...

Matthew 9:18-26 Andrew and Edwin uncover how Jesus spoke to the woman with the issue of blood to realize this is actually the tale of two daughters. This explains why Jesus didn't give precedence to the ruler's daughter over the complete stranger in the crowd. They were both daughters of God. They discuss what this means for us and our view of others around us. Read the written devo that...

Matthew 9:9-17 Matthew the tax collector holds a feast. He invites Jesus and a bunch of his tax collector and sinner friends. Andrew and Edwin discuss why both Jesus and the sinners would come to this feast. They also highlight why it is good news for us that Jesus calls sinners instead of righteous people. Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.     Let us know w...