The Surprising God

This post exegetes Matthew chapter 4, providing context for the Gospel reading on 2/22/26, the 1st Sunday in Lent. Insights are drawn from "The IVP Bible Background Commentary New Testament" by Craig Keener, "The New Bible Commentary" by RT France, and "The Bible Knowledge Commentary" by Louis Barbieri. "The Temptation in the Wilderness" by Riviere (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction In Matthew chapter 3, Jesus is baptized for all humanity, anointed by the Holy Spirit for ministry to all humanity, and approved (accredited) by the Father as his Son who is given authority over all humanity (and all the cosmos). And now in chapter 4, Jesus is led by the Holy Spirit to be tested in the desert, further preparing him for his ministry and further accrediting him as Messiah. Then at the end of the chapter, Jesus is launched in the power of the Holy Spirit into public ministry. His first task is to call his first disciples. Let’s walk with ...

This post exegetes Matthew 16:13-17:27 providing context for the Gospel reading on 2/15/26, the 6th Sunday in Epiphanytide. Insights are drawn from "Kingdom, Grace, Judgment" by Robert Capon, "New Bible Commentary" by RT France, and "Bible Knowledge Commentary" by Louis Barbieri. "The Transfiguration of Christ" by van Herp (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction A key theme in Matthew is the revealing of Jesus’ identity. In Matthew 16:16, we find a climactic turning point in the development of this theme. Here Peter affirms his belief that Jesus is the Christ [the Messiah], the Son of the living God.  This ‘confession of faith’ is followed by a series of further revelations confirming what Peter has affirmed. Through these revelations, Jesus’ disciples are called to deeper levels of understanding and commitment.  1. Peter’s affirmation  Matthew 16:13-17 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ...

This post exegetes Matthew 5:13-16, providing context for the Gospel reading on 2/8/26, the 5th Sunday in the season of Epiphany. Insights are drawn from John Stott's book, “The Message of the Sermon on the Mount” and from Dallas Willard’s book “The Divine Conspiracy.” "Salt and Light" from IStock (with permission) Introduction If the beatitudes (Matt. 5:1-12) describe how citizens of Jesus’ Kingdom participate in and express their Master’s character, the salt and light metaphors indicate how that participation influences the surrounding world. What we’ll learn is that Jesus ‘rubs off’—his personal presence—his life and love—influences for the good. Having studied the beatitudes, we might be wondering, what lasting good in the world can the poor and the meek do, the mourners and the merciful, and the peacemakers? Would they not simply be overwhelmed by the floodtide of evil? What can they accomplish whose only passion is an appetite for righteousness, and whose only weapo...

This post exegetes Matthew 5:1-12, providing context for the Gospel reading on 2/1/26, the 4th Sunday in the season of Epiphany. Insights are drawn from John Stott's book, “The Message of the Sermon on the Mount” and from Dallas Willard’s book  “The Divine Conspiracy.” "Sermon on the Mount" by Blosch (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction The beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) describe the character of those who participate in the Kingdom life and love of Jesus. The beatitudes then describe certain blessings that come from sharing Jesus’ life. Before we discuss each beatitude, we need to address four questions. 1. Who are the people being described? The beatitudes are fundamentally descriptions of Jesus’ character as it is expressed in and through his followers—citizens of his Kingdom. The disciples of Jesus are meek and merciful, poor in spirit and pure in heart, mourning and hungry, the peacemakers and the persecuted. The people who express these qualities are not ...