Encounter the Truth

The change of the priesthood means the introduction of a new covenant which is better in every way. God's law is on our heart, we know the Lord personally, and he has forgiven our sin. We must rejoice in the privilege we have—and not drift from all we have in Christ.

The change of the priesthood means the introduction of a new covenant which is better in every way. God's law is on our heart, we know the Lord personally, and he has forgiven our sin. We must rejoice in the privilege we have—and not drift from all we have in Christ.

Jesus is the greater Priest who lives forever, and so he "can save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." Our salvation is sure and certain—and can never be undermined.

Jesus is the greater Priest who lives forever, and so he "can save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." Our salvation is sure and certain—and can never be undermined.

Here is a rebuke for the believer who has not made appropriate progress in the faith. And here is a warning that is designed to keep us close to Jesus—and to unsettle any who may not be truly converted. But the comfort is that true believers are safe in Christ because God's promise and saving action in Jesus is our sure hope, an anchor for the soul.

Here is a rebuke for the believer who has not made appropriate progress in the faith. And here is a warning that is designed to keep us close to Jesus—and to unsettle any who may not be truly converted. But the comfort is that true believers are safe in Christ because God's promise and saving action in Jesus is our sure hope, an anchor for the soul.

Jewish converts might wonder if they are really safe without going to the Levitical priests at the Temple. The point here is to show that Jesus is a legitimate priest—not in the Levitical order, but in the order of Melchizedek. Jesus is the legitimate, promised priest who really is able to deal with our sin and bring us into the presence of God. We can have great confidence and comfort—and must not drift away from him.

Jewish converts might wonder if they are really safe without going to the Levitical priests at the Temple. The point here is to show that Jesus is a legitimate priest—not in the Levitical order, but in the order of Melchizedek. Jesus is the legitimate, promised priest who really is able to deal with our sin and bring us into the presence of God. We can have great confidence and comfort—and must not drift away from him.

Jesus offers us eternal rest—but we must take warning from the wilderness generation. We must listen and be faithful to him, responding in faith and obedience to his word. When we fail—as we do and will—our Great High Priest gives grace and help.

Jesus offers us eternal rest—but we must take warning from the wilderness generation. We must listen and be faithful to him, responding in faith and obedience to his word. When we fail—as we do and will—our Great High Priest gives grace and help.

Jesus is not only greater than angels, but greater than Moses. And he offers us a promised salvation greater than that offered through Moses. But we must learn from the sinful mistakes of the Exodus generation, and not harden our hearts to God's word—but be fearfully listening and obedient.

Jesus is not only greater than angels, but greater than Moses. And he offers us a promised salvation greater than that offered through Moses. But we must learn from the sinful mistakes of the Exodus generation, and not harden our hearts to God's word—but be fearfully listening and obedient.

Although he is the eternal Son, Jesus became human and suffered death for the sake of our salvation—fulfilling the glorious destiny that God planned for humanity, leading many to glory.

Although he is the eternal Son, Jesus became human and suffered death for the sake of our salvation—fulfilling the glorious destiny that God planned for humanity, leading many to glory.

God has spoken his supreme and final word in the person of his Son. We must listen carefully to the gospel message that God has declared through Jesus so that we do not drift away.

God has spoken his supreme and final word in the person of his Son. We must listen carefully to the gospel message that God has declared through Jesus so that we do not drift away.

The Kingdom is the greatest treasure we could ever find. True Kingdom people are single-minded and passionate about taking hold of the treasure. The Kingdom may look mixed and messy at the present time, but at the judgment, the evil will be separated from the righteous, and only the good will be admitted. Treasure the Kingdom—and make sure you truly belong by faith!

The Kingdom is the greatest treasure we could ever find. True Kingdom people are single-minded and passionate about taking hold of the treasure. The Kingdom may look mixed and messy at the present time, but at the judgment, the evil will be separated from the righteous, and only the good will be admitted. Treasure the Kingdom—and make sure you truly belong by faith!

The Kingdom will grow in ways that will surprise us. On the one hand, ungodly people will be mixed in among the godly. The fact that the Lord allows this may surprise us, but he will bring a clear division at the judgment. Despite the messiness of this, Kingdom growth will be unstoppable and dramatic. All this should encourage us to see and believe that the Kingdom will indeed grow, despite all the messiness involved—and despite the fact that we do not see all the growth immediately.

The Kingdom will grow in ways that will surprise us. On the one hand, ungodly people will be mixed in among the godly. The fact that the Lord allows this may surprise us, but he will bring a clear division at the judgment. Despite the messiness of this, Kingdom growth will be unstoppable and dramatic. All this should encourage us to see and believe that the Kingdom will indeed grow, despite all the messiness involved—and despite the fact that we do not see all the growth immediately.

Jesus sets out for us realistic expectations for his Word and the response it will receive. The four types of soil illustrate a very mixed response: three-quarters will be disappointing, but the good soil will produce a wonderful crop. We need to examine our own hearts as listeners—and we need to take encouragement as we sow the seed of God's Word. The results will be mixed, but a great harvest will come.

Jesus sets out for us realistic expectations for his Word and the response it will receive. The four types of soil illustrate a very mixed response: three-quarters will be disappointing, but the good soil will produce a wonderful crop. We need to examine our own hearts as listeners—and we need to take encouragement as we sow the seed of God's Word. The results will be mixed, but a great harvest will come.

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 casting ourselves solely upon the mercy of Jesus for our cleansing and acceptance before 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 casting ourselves solely upon the mercy of Jesus for our cleansing and acceptance before God?

What does it look like to live as those who represent Jesus Christ in the world? If we are his people, then we must learn to pray and walk and speak faithfully in his name, commending him and his gospel to the world in our everyday interactions.

What does it look like to live as those who represent Jesus Christ in the world? If we are his people, then we must learn to pray and walk and speak faithfully in his name, commending him and his gospel to the world in our everyday interactions.

God is worthy of all praise because he has blessed us so richly, and without our merit. He has purposed to include us in Christ—even as he plans to bring all things in the universe under the headship of Christ—all for the praise of his glorious grace.