Search the Scriptures Live

As we conclude this remarkable set of ten miracle stories, we meet two blind men who persist in crying, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" and a deaf and mute man who cannot express himself at all. Who is truly blind and truly deaf? The Fathers offer their spiritual insights.

The call of St. Matthew seems odd to us. He was doing his job and suddenly left everything to follow Christ. Other disciples also responded suddenly and inexplicably. Did they have free will? What brought on such a reaction? What about the responsibilities they left behind?

Some people have asserted that Jesus himself never claimed to be God; rather, this notion was invented by his followers. In the healing of the paralytic, Jesus’ identity and claims of authority are challenged as he is accused of “blasphemy.” What is blasphemy anyhow?

This week we examine a familiar and puzzling story, especially in Matthew's gospel. Not one but two demoniacs live among tombs, severely possessed by perhaps thousands of demons. Among other things, we will discuss demonic possession and why the herd of swine was destroyed.

The string of miracles Matthew presents here continue, including the stilling of the storm and the healing of Peter's mother-in-law. These stories are so familiar that their lessons are easily overlooked – but not by the Fathers who draw out the deeper meaning for us.

A Roman centurion relates the authority of Jesus to his own military experience, recognizing not only the Lord's authority but even His divinity, despite being pagan. The Lord "marvels" at the faith and humility of this non-Israelite.

After the Sermon on the Mount, St. Matthew depicts Christ performing ten miracles in a row, but they aren't included simply to impress us with Christ's sheer power. Miracles serve a different purpose in this gospel. Join us as Christ proceeds from teaching to action.

As the Lord wraps up the Sermon on the Mount, He issues warnings to us about false prophets and about how we must bear fruit and build a solid foundation for our lives on the Rock. Join us as we breathe in the flowers of the patristic garden.

The "Golden Rule" is considered by many to be the greatest ethical instruction in the history of mankind. Did you know that there is also a "Silver Rule" that is found in other religious traditions? What make's Christ's instruction superior to all others?

The admonition to "judge not" may be the most misunderstood or misused verse in the Bible. Are we never to identify anything as sin? In addition to this verse, Dr. Jeannie will discuss Bible manuscript variations to clarify an earlier lesson and respond to queries.