Thrive: Deeper

In Matthew Chapters 26-28, the narrative unfolds with the chief priests and elders plotting to kill Jesus, but they decide to avoid doing so during the feast to prevent a riot. At Bethany, a woman anoints Jesus with expensive perfume, symbolically preparing Him for burial. Meanwhile, Judas agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. During the Last Supper, Jesus celebrates Passover with His disciples, predicts His betrayal, and institutes the Lord’s Supper. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays in deep agony, seeking the Father’s will. Judas then betrays Jesus with a kiss, leading to His arrest. Jesus is tried before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, and Peter denies knowing Him three times. The next chapter sees Jesus brought before Pilate, who ultimately sentences Him to be crucified. Judas, filled with remorse, hangs himself. Jesus is mocked, crucified, and dies on the cross. He is then buried in a tomb provided by Joseph of Arimathea. On the third day, Jesus rises from the dead, appearing first to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, and later to His disciples. Finally, Jesus commissions His disciples to spread the gospel to all nations, marking the foundation of Christian faith with His resurrection and the Great Commission.

Matthew 22: This chapter features Jesus' teachings through parables and discussions. It includes the Parable of the Wedding Banquet, where Jesus explains the kingdom of heaven. He answers questions about paying taxes to Caesar, the resurrection, and identifies the greatest commandment: love God and love your neighbor. Matthew 23: Jesus denounces the religious leaders for their hypocrisy and blind legalism. He pronounces a series of woes against the scribes and Pharisees, emphasising the importance of inner purity and genuine faith over outward appearances and ritualistic religion. Matthew 24: This chapter, often referred to as the Olivet Discourse, deals with Jesus' teachings on the imminent destuction of Jerusalem and the Temple.He speaks about the signs of the times, the coming tribulations, and the importance of staying vigilant and prepared for His return. Matthew 25: Jesus gives His direction about the end times with three parables: the Parable of the Ten Virgins, emphasising readiness and watchfulness; the Parable of the Talents, highlighting faithful stewardship; and the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, which focuses on the final judgment and the importance of compassion and service to others.

This part of the Gospel of Matthew focus on some of the pivotal moments in Jesus’ mission. Jesus gathered His disciples and asked them, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Peter boldly declared, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus blessed Peter for this revelation, which was divinely inspired, and foretold the establishment of His church. Jesus began to prepare His disciples for the suffering He would endure. He spoke of His impending death and resurrection, but Peter, unable to accept this fate, rebuked Him. Jesus, recognizing the devil’s influence, sternly corrected Peter and emphasized the cost of discipleship – self-denial and taking up one’s cross. Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain where He was transfigured before them, revealing His divine glory. Moses and Elijah appeared, and a voice from a bright cloud proclaimed, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” Descending from the mountain, they encountered a crowd, and Jesus healed a boy possessed by a demon after His disciples had failed to do so. He reminded them of the power of faith. As they moved towards Jerusalem, Jesus taught about humility, forgiveness, and the importance of childlike faith. We meet the rich young man who asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Entering Jerusalem, Jesus was welcomed with shouts of “Hosanna!” as He rode on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of the coming King. He cleansed the temple, driving out those who had turned it into a marketplace, and continued to teach and heal. The religious leaders, feeling threatened, questioned Jesus’ authority, but He responded with parables that highlighted their hypocrisy and foretold the kingdom of God being opened to all who believe.

These chapters of Matthew encompass a series of parables and teachings by Jesus, illustrating the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. Rich with parables such as the Sower, the Weeds, the Mustard Seed, and the Pearl of Great Value, each one reveals different aspects of the Kingdom and the responses of people to God's word. We see the feeding of the 5000 and Jesus walking on water, showcasing His miracles and compassion, including the story of Jesus healing the daughter of a Canaanite woman, highlighting His ministry's expansion beyond Israel.

Chapters 8-12 of the Book of Matthew focus on Jesus' miracles, teachings, and interactions with both followers and skeptics. Chapter 8 details a series of miracles performed by Jesus, such as healing a leper, a centurion's servant, and calming a storm, emphasizing His divine authority and the centrality of faith. Chapters 9 and 10 continue with more miracles and the commissioning of the twelve apostles, highlighting the challenges of discipleship. Chapter 11 presents John the Baptist's questions and Jesus' lament over unrepentant cities, while Chapter 12 describes various confrontations with the Pharisees, including discussions about the Sabbath and Jesus' teachings through parables, further illustrating the growing tension between Jesus and the religious leaders of the time. These chapters collectively underscore the themes of faith, authority, and commitment in the face of opposition.

Jesus shares with His disciples the profound principles of the Kingdom of Heaven, encapsulated in the Sermon on the Mount. He begins with the Beatitudes, a series of blessings that overturn conventional wisdom, promising divine comfort and reward to those who embody spiritual humility and righteousness. As the narrative unfolds, Jesus delves deeper, challenging His followers to be the salt and light of the earth, preserving goodness and illuminating truth. He then reinterprets the Law, not to abolish it but to fulfill it, urging a righteousness that stems from the heart. The sermon culminates with a call to love and pray for one's enemies, setting a divine standard of perfection that reflects the nature of God Himself.

We learn about Jesus’ genealogy, establishing His royal and Abrahamic lineage. The miraculous conception of Jesus through the Holy Spirit is revealed, and Joseph is instructed to name Him Jesus, meaning “He will save His people from their sins.” The visit of the Magi highlights Jesus’ recognition as King by foreign wise men. King Herod’s attempt to kill Jesus leads to the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt, fulfilling prophecies about the Messiah’s early life. John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus, preaching repentance and baptizing people. Jesus’ baptism by John marks the beginning of His public ministry, with God’s voice affirming Jesus as His beloved Son. Jesus resists the devil’s temptations in the wilderness, demonstrating His obedience to God. He begins His ministry in Galilee, calls His first disciples, and starts preaching about the kingdom of heaven, performing miracles and healing the sick. Bible Project Introduction to Matthew

The Book of Proverbs offers profound insights into the nature of anger and how we should manage it. Proverbs emphasizes the value of patience and self-control, highlighting that a person who is slow to anger is wiser and more powerful than one who is quick-tempered The teachings also stress the importance of responding gently to defuse anger. This underscores the power of calm and measured responses in preventing conflicts. Moreover, Proverbs warns against the folly of uncontrolled anger. This highlights that wisdom lies in maintaining composure and not letting anger dictate our actions. Overall, Proverbs teaches that managing anger with patience, gentleness, and self-control leads to wisdom and peace, while unchecked anger leads to folly and discord. It’s not that we should never get angry, it’s more about what we ‘do’ with that anger. Download the Anger Management Chapter from Matt’s book – Deeper Places.

The Book of Proverbs provides timeless wisdom on how to navigate various relationships with wisdom, discipline, and a deep trust in the Lord. It encourages virtues of righteousness, justice, loyalty, respect, and mutual edification in all relationships. In this book of wisdom we can gain valuable insights into the nature of true friendship. It encourages loyalty, trust, and mutual respect. For instance, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity” (Proverbs 17:17). It also warns against making friends with a hot-tempered person (Proverbs 22:24-25) and highlights the importance of honest rebuke in friendship (Proverbs 27:5-6). The writer of Proverbs also underscores the importance of familial relationships and the role of wisdom within the family unit. It advises children to heed the instruction of their parents (Proverbs 1:8). It also highlights the joy and grief parents can experience due to the actions of their children (Proverbs 10:1, 15:20).

“Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.” Why? Because he is wise enough to understand that he does not know it all. It takes sincere humility to admit, “I was wrong” rather than submitting to the captivity of our pride. Prov. 3:5-8: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” Relying on God rather than the image we manage to project is an act of wise humility. If we are willing to see ourselves for what we are rather than being wise in our own eyes, God will loom all the larger and we will have all the more reason to lovingly fear him, turn away from the evil of pride and do others the good to which we have been called. Pride. It is how we treat others in the name of truth, how we view ourselves, how we conduct our lives in the presence of God.