Podcasts about Sadducees

Reading Acts 5:17-32 where the Sadducees tell the apostles to stop preaching in the name of Jesus, but the apostles respond that we must obey God rather than men. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

After the Sadducees had been silenced, the Pharisees take another stab at trying to trap Jesus with a question concerning the Law.  He reveals once again that they their hearts are far from Him - that in all their attention to the Law, they miss Jesus - they miss the heart of it all. Jesus follows this up with a question of his own - this one concerning the David's Son - not only do they not love God, they don't because they don't know him.  

Jesus called Sadducees a “wicked and adulterous generation” (Matthew 16:1-5). E179. Books about Sadducees available at https://amzn.to/3XGDfVk How Jesus Became Christian by Barrie Wilson at https://amzn.to/3DyFfbA From Jesus to Christianity by L. Michael White at https://amzn.to/4008FpD Other books by L. Michael White available at https://amzn.to/400ofSm ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Mark's History of North America podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Sources: From Jesus to Christianity by L. Michael White (‎ St. Martin's Griffin, 2009); How Jesus Became Christian by Barrie Wilson (HarperOne, 2005).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Start with the center and everything else comes into focus. We open with Jesus' greatest commandments—love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself—and trace how those two clear lines cut through confusion at home, at church, and in public life. When love becomes the measure, rituals lose their shine, excuses run out, and courage becomes daily work.We reflect on Proverbs 31 as a portrait of ordered love, not a hustle mantra. The wisdom points every talent and task toward God, marriage, and family, challenging both men and women to weigh ambition by the good of those entrusted to them. From there, we follow Jesus' response to the Sadducees and find hope big enough for the happiest and hardest marriages: the resurrection does not erase love; it fulfills it. If your season is lonely or broken, heaven's promise reframes the pain without pretending it away.Our path winds through the teacher who declares love greater than sacrifice, then into Jesus' question about David calling the Messiah “Lord.” Alongside Psalm 48, we talk about memory, worship, and why a city stands strong when its people keep God's justice at the center. We don't shy away from present wounds—Sri Lanka's Easter bombings, systemic abuse—and we insist that naming evil is an act of neighbor love. A Medal of Honor story reminds us what leadership looks like under fire: standing up so others can stand.Drawing on Jonathan Mayhew, we tackle the tension between honoring civil authority and obeying God. Taxes can be argued; God's commands cannot. A Christian conscience submits where it should and refuses where it must, not out of defiance but fidelity. We close in prayer because prayer keeps our hearts low and our hope high, and that's the only way to love God wholly and love neighbors well. If this resonated, share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe so you never miss an episode.#JonathanMayhew #SamanthaDailey #OxfordGroomingGangSupport the showThe American Soul Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1791934/subscribe Countryside Book Series https://www.amazon.com/Countryside-Book-J-T-Cope-IV-ebook/dp/B00MPIXOB2

We Have Been Set Free 1 Corinthians 6:12 “ All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.” The prayer point for the healing service team today is to free the captives. This instantly made me think of my friend who I am praying for this week. I have asked those I know to give me a Bible verse, and I will assign a different verse to each week of the year. Then I will pray for that person during the week I have assigned their verse. This week, I am praying for my friend, and instead of praying for her, she has asked for prayers for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and for food and medical aid to reach the sick and injured. When I read the Captives this morning, I thought of all of those who were captured in the Gaza Strip many months ago. Then, when I started reading the scripture verses we were given, I realized there are many ways that we can be held captive. Some of us are physically held captive, like those in war-torn countries, those who were abducted and forced into human trafficking of all kinds. There are also many of us who are held captive by our own beliefs, addictions, or wants and desires.   This morning, while I was reading over the various verses, I asked the Lord to highlight the one he wanted me to talk about. I asked Him to make it clear to me. He actually highlighted two verses. The first one that jumped out was the verse above. 1 Corinthians 6:12 says, “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.” I thought this was particularly fitting for today since yesterday was Ash Wednesday, and so Lent has just begun. Lent can be a difficult time of year because it is a time of sacrifice. It can also be a sad time of year as we remember all Christ went through to save us from our sins, to save us from ourselves. Lent is also a great time of year to show ourselves that we don't have to be controlled by our wants and our desires. We get the chance to show God that although we love chocolate, wine, alcohol, beer, swearing, desserts, TV, or whatever else we decide to give up, we don't let them as much as we love HIm. We get to show ourselves that it is ok to deny ourselves something we want and that when we do we will be even more stronger for it. I have a friend named Sarah Jane. I remember she came over to my house one time, and I asked if she wanted a brownie. She said she gave up chocolate for the month. It wasn't lent so I asked her why she gave it up. She said each month, she gives something up for the month to show herself she can and so that she does not get too attached to anything. This is an awesome idea. I actually did this for a few months last year, but I don't think I made it past May. I do think it is important that we know that just because we can do something doesn't mean we should do it. It also doesn't mean it is good for us. If we want to be holy, we must go beyond the letter of the law. This is what the Sadducees and Pharisees were doing. They were following the letter of the law but not the spirit of the law. They were so focused on doing things perfectly that they lost all sight of what God was really about. They forgot about the love God had for His people. They forgot about His mercy. They got caught up in all the laws and the rules and somehow got lost. What I felt the Lord wanted me to remind you of today is that you do not have to become slaves to things of this world. The second scripture He highlighted to me is Galatians 5:1, which says, “For freedom, Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” This shows us that we have a choice. Before Jesus came to save us, we had fewer choices. Before Jesus came, we had the laws to tell us what we should do, but we didn't have the Holy Spirit inside of us to give us the strength to resist the things that were not good for us. Then Jesus came, and He died on the cross to set us free from sin. Then He went to be with His Father, and they sent the Holy Spirit to be with us so we would no longer be left on our own. Because of this, we no longer have to accept the yoke of slavery. Because of this, we have been set free. However, this does not mean that we are all free. We must make a choice to be free. We have to decide that our freedom in Christ is worth more than that cookie, that drink, that drug, that extramarital affair. Christ died so we could be free, but we still have to choose to be free. God has given us free will and He won't force us to follow Him or to love Him. He won't force us to choose Him. We have to do that on our own.  Well, not really on our own because He gave us the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us. We can rely on that power. We do need to make the choice, but then we can rely on the Holy Spirit to help us keep that freedom. We can rely on the Holy Spirit to help us stay on the path we want to be on. When we feel like we want to be free of something and yet we don't think we can, we can't see a way to give it up. We can call on the Holy Spirit. We can ask the Holy Spirit to take away the desire for this thing. We can ask the Holy Spirit to come and give us strength. We can say, “Come, Holy Spirit, come.” The enemy wants us to think we don't have a choice. He wants us to think we can't do the hard thing. We can't give up drinking. We can't give up the drugs, the affairs, the food. The devil is a liar. Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” It doesn't say some things, and it says all things. You can do all things because you have the mighty power of Jesus living inside of you. All you have to do is call upon that power. So, this Lenten season, let's remember that we are no longer slaves to our desires. Whatever you gave up for lent, it may seem like it is going to be a long 40 days. You might be thinking about it and thinking there is no way you make it 40 days without that thing. If so, remember that you are not dominated by anything. You are a free son or daughter of Christ and of the one true God. You can do anything with Christ! You have been set free! Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode today. Lord, you are truly amazing. We are so grateful you sent your son to set us free. We owe you a debt we could never pay, so we offer you these 40 days as a small token of our love for you. Please help us through these next 40 days. We ask that you help us every day. Lord, remind us when we forget that nothing will dominate us. Remind us when we forget that we do not have to accept the yoke of slavery. Remind us of your love and mercy each time we forget. We love you so much, and we ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus's holy name. Amen! Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow. If you are interested in receiving my monthly newsletter so you can be the first to know what is going on or when I am planning an event, please click on the link below or go to my website, walkboldlywithjesus.com. Remember, Jesus loves you, and so do I! Have a blessed day! Today's Word from the Lord is, “Be not afraid to say yes to the Lord. When the Lord calls, He equips. He will give you everything necessary to fulfill what He asks of you. Be bold. Do not fear to answer the Lord. He loves you, and He will take care of you. You are His children, and He is your God, so go in boldness and answer the Lord's call.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

John 2:13-22 Please turn to John chapter 2. Our sermon text is John 2:13-22. Last week Jesus turned water into wine - well, not really last week, but 2000 years ago. You know what I mean. That miracle, or "sign," as the apostle John calls it, (1) revealed Jesus' glory; (2) signified Jesus' cleansing ministry; and (3)  was a foretaste of the blessing that will come at the end of the age. In our reading today, Jesus and his disciples went up to Jerusalem. By the way, travelling to Jerusalem was always travelling up. It didn't matter whether you were coming from the north, south, east, or west, Jerusalem was in the mountains and you would be ascending. Reading of John 2:13-22 Prayer Earlier this week, I scanned through the Old Testament and counted how many chapters focused on the temple. You know, I was curious. I counted 39 chapters spread across 10 Old Testament books. That includes chapters focused on the tabernacle - which was the precursor to the temple. So 39 chapters on the temple and tabernacle. Then I thought I would count the chapters which focused on priests and priestly activity. I counted at least 30 more. I lost my place, actually… and didn't want to start over. So at least 30 more. That's about 70 chapters which focus on the temple or temple activity. And these are not just chapters that only mention the temple or tabernacle or priests, no, these are chapters that describe the construction and the contents of the temple… like the lampstands, the altar, the incense, and the Ark of the Covenant and all the details about the ark. These chapters also describe the different courts and the holy place and the holy of holies… all with specific measurements. We're given details about the priestly vestments and all the different sacrifices and their purposes. The High Priest was to wear special garb with different kinds of gems. The day of atonement is described. We're given details about the priestly activities and roles. The temple was to host annual festivals, such as the Feast of Weeks and the Passover. There's a lot. Furthermore, every temple object and practice was a divinely designed shadow of a greater substance to come. They were all types. They each in some way signified aspects of salvation or worship or God's character including and especially his holiness. When the Israelites travelled to Jerusalem, they were travelling for some activity related to the temple. In some way, they would participate in temple activities that drew them closer to God - those activities would reveal his holiness and the forgiveness they needed from their sin…. and the salvation which God would bring. The temple was the center of their spiritual life. It was a sacred place where God was to be revered and worshiped and where his presence dwelt. That is why the destruction of the temple by the Babylonians was so traumatic. That had happened about 600 year earlier. It's why the rebuilding of the temple in Ezra's day was a great joy. Even despite the second temple's shortcomings, it restored sacrifices and worship. I've had the opportunity to visit Jerusalem twice. And both times, I was able to visit the western wall of the temple mount. Maybe you've heard of it. The temple mount was the massive foundation upon which the temple was built. The temple was destroyed again almost 2000 years ago, but the temple mount is largely intact. The western wall is the closest that a Jew, today, can get to where the original temple used to be. The area next to the western wall is usually packed with people - people praying and rocking back and forth and putting little notes in between the massive stones. You see, even though the temple is no longer there, the location is still sacred and a source of grief for many in the Jewish community. I bring all that up because as the narrative now moves to Jerusalem, we're brought right to the temple. We're brought right to the center of life and activity in Jerusalem. And notice that not only does the temple come into view here, but we're told in verse 13 that the annual Passover celebration was at hand. The Passover was one of the two main festivals that would bring pilgrims to Jerusalem. It celebrated God's deliverance of his people out of Egypt. The whole event took a week and involved meals and rituals. The most important thing was the sacrifice of animals on the temple altar. The normal sacrifice was a lamb, you know a young sheep. However, wealthy families could offer an ox and poor families could offer pigeons. For the Passover, the population of Jerusalem would swell by at least a few hundred thousand people. If you believe Josephus, the Jewish historian, he estimated even higher - he estimated 2.7 million additional people. That's likely an over estimate, but the point is that the city was packed, and especially the area surrounding the temple and temple mount. And since a significant portion of the Passover involved sacrificing animals, families needed to have animals to sacrifice. Some, of course, brought their own, but if you were travelling a long way, that would be difficult. Other families didn't raise animals. And so, the Passover week involved the buying and selling of animals. Thousands and thousands of oxen and lambs and pigeons. Archeologists have found nearby caves with hundreds of bird pens. The birds would be raised and then sold at the Passover. All the buying and selling was, of course, a business. The problem here was not that animals were being bought and sold. No, to some extent, that had to happen. Rather, the problem was that the buying and selling of animals and the currency exchanges were happening in the temple area. Specifically, it was happening in the Court of the Gentiles which was right next to the main temple building. Now, it didn't need to happen there. There was plenty of space in other parts of the city. But, as you can imagine, being right there was very convenient. Right there you could exchange your foreign currency, and then buy your animal, and then you could walk couple hundred steps to the temple altar where the priests would then make your sacrifice. And so, the merchants set up shop right there in the temple courts. The problem was that God had graciously given Israel the temple and its practices as signs of his grace. By abusing them, the people were forsaking God and breaking his covenant promises Let me highlight 4 ways in which all this offended God: 1. First, the worship of God had become transactional. The ceremonies and sacrifices had been established by God as a means to worship him. They were the avenue through which God was revealing his salvation and character. Yet the people had turned true worship into empty worship… into going-through-the-motions worship. Their sacrifices were not pleasing to God. 2. Second, the temple area was to be a sacred place. It was to be where God's glory dwelt. People were to come there to pray and to be instructed by the priests and to commune with the living God. But all of that was disrupted by the merchants and money changers. Think of the disruption that the animals made - thousands of them! And they were doing animal things - you know what I mean - making noise and making a mess. It distracted true worshippers from worshipping the Lord. 3. Third, it was all a racket. It was striking against the very holiness of God. In the other Gospel accounts, Jesus called the traders and money changers a den of robbers. Their fraud and price gouging demonstrated hearts far from God and his ways. If you were to pick one word that described the temple… it would be the word holy. Holy refers to God's set-apart-ness - his pure and utter righteousness. Inside the temple building was the holy place and at the heart of the temple was the holy of holies. All of the temple elements and practices in some way or another demonstrated the holiness of God. That is why this activity was defiling the temple. It was unholy. It was all disgraceful to God. The merchants' unholiness was a stark contrast to the holiness of God. 4. And the fourth problem was that no one was doing anything about all this. The Jewish leaders failed by letting this all happen in the first place…  and they didn't put an end to it as it spiraled out of control. Maybe they were even profiting off of it - that's likely but we don't know. And so, when Jesus arrived, he witnessed the utter desecration of the temple. And notice he called the temple "my father's house." That acknowledged both his identity as the Son of God, and it acknowledged the significance of the temple as where God dwelt. And in response, Jesus "cleansed the temple" as this event is often called. Jesus fashioned whips, as verse 15 says. And he drove the merchants and animals out. He poured out the coins of the money changers. He flipped over their tables. People and animals scattered out of the temple courts in utter chaos. In verse 16, he told those who sold pigeons, "Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade." It was a display of righteous anger. It demonstrated Jesus' authority and his holiness and his justice - attributes, you know, that he possessed as God the Son. And the disciples witnessed it all. They recalled the words of Psalm 69 - those are quoted there in verse 17, "Zeal for your house will consume me." In Psalm 69, King David laments that his zeal for God's house brought reproach on him from his enemies… his enemies dishonored God. That's what was happening here. Jesus had a holy zeal for God's house, but the merchants and money changers were bringing reproach on God. The reference to Psalm 69 revealed that a greater King greater than King David had come. In other words, Jesus' cleansing of the temple was a prophetic fulfillment of Psalm 69. A righteous King had arrived in Jerusalem. I want to make a brief comment here. Sometimes people will use this event as a justification for righteous anger. You know, like when we get mad at sin and evil. But I don't believe that this event is our permission slip for righteous anger. I am not saying that we shouldn't be angry at sin. We should hate sin - first, and foremost, we should hate our own sin and unrighteousness. And we should be angry at oppression and injustice. We should. According, of course, to God's definition of oppression and injustice and not the world's. Ephesians 4 says "be angry and do not sin." So, yes, it is possible to be angry at the right things, but let me say, it is very hard to be angry and not sin. What I am saying is that yes, we should emulate Jesus, however, we should also  recognize that we are not him. His righteous anger here is pure and holy and perfectly justified. Rather, what this event underscores for us is our need to honor the Lord in our worship. We are to come before him in humility with hearts drawn to him. You see, we're the ones in the temple area either buying the animals or worse, selling and exchanging, or even worse than that, allowing it all to happen like the failure of the Jewish leaders. But what does that look like today? Well, perhaps we are treating worship as merely a transactional activity. It's easy to slip into that mindset thinking that all we are called to do is go through the motions in worship. But no, God wants our hearts. We are to come before him in humility and praise his name. Or perhaps, as did the merchants, we are desecrating worship by treating it as a consumeristic man-centered activity and not a God-glorifying one. That's also a trap that we can fall in today. Much of our society revolves around our so-called needs and the things we want to do or buy. Worship can turn into that. Or perhaps, as did the Jewish leaders, we are allowing our worship to be hijacked by these temptations… again, by self-serving practices that focus on ourselves and not on God Almighty in the splendor of his holiness according to his Word. God wants our hearts and minds to be drawn into reverent God-honoring worship through his Spirit, according to his Word. I could say more, but in the interest of time, let's continue on. Because this narrative takes a surprising turn. Of course, when Jesus disrupted the Passover activity at the temple, the Jews took notice. By the way, when John uses the word "Jews" he is most often referring to the Pharisees or the Sadducees, you know, the Jewish leaders. Well, they came at him, and asked, verse 18 "What sign do you show us for doing these things?" There's our word from last week, "sign." In other words, they were asking, "show us by what authority you do such a thing." And Jesus shocked them when he said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." They interpreted those words at face value. They had no sense that Jesus could have been indicating something deeper. To them, it was a ridiculous statement. And you see that in their response. "It has taken forty-six years," they said, "to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?" You see, 46 years prior, Herod the Great began a massive renovation project of the Temple Mount, and the Temple courts, and the Temple itself. Even though Herod had died two decades earlier, those renovations had continued. And they weren't even done. So, to them, it was absurd for Jesus to suggest that he could raise up a destroyed temple in three days. But he did. He wasn't referring to the temple structure, where they were standing. No, as John remarks there in verse 21, he was referring to the temple of his body. He was referring to his resurrection, when he would be raised up from the grave. When the disciples reflected back on Jesus' statement, as verse 22 highlights, they realized what he had been referring to. It was amazingly prophetic. Let's consider the original readers for a moment. It is very likely that John wrote this shortly after the Romans destroyed the temple in AD 70. There are good arguments for that which I agree with. That event was horrible. In Jesus' prophecy in Matthew 24, Jesus' called it the abomination of desolation. It was gruesome. Historical records confirm that. Many were killed including women and children. The temple was plundered; its massive stones were toppled; and it was all burned. This was all freshly painful for the original Jewish readers. They were likely without a temple. The very heart of Jewish life had been taken away from them. There was nothing left. No sacrifices. No annual festivals. No Holy of Holies for the High Priest to enter on Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement. Yet, a greater Temple had been raised up. Christ himself had been raised. What Jesus was saying to the Jews was that the Temple would no longer be needed. That is, the physical Temple's purpose would soon be coming to an end. It needed to be destroyed. After Jesus' sacrificial death was accomplished on the cross, and after he was raised from the grave, there was no more need for sacrifices or priests or holy things. Do you remember what immediately happened after Jesus died? The temple curtain was torn in two. The temple curtain was the massive ornate curtain that separated the priests from God's presence in the Holy of Holies. It was torn in two by God! There was no longer a need for sacrifices because the once-and-for-all sacrifice had definitively secured redemption for God's people. Jesus had fulfilled the temple's purpose. He was now the only Temple necessary. And the event that sealed the deal and that fulfilled the Temple's ministry of God's presence, was Jesus' resurrection. And not only his resurrection, but also his ascension. He now lives and reigns in heaven. And because of that, we can commune with him through prayer and through the Holy Spirit. To the original Jewish reader, this would have been a tremendous revelation. The center of Jewish life had shifted from the Temple in Jerusalem to the temple of Jesus Christ. Jesus has fulfilled the Temple's ministry. ·      His sacrifice is the one true and final sacrifice as an atonement for sin. ·      The temple represented the holiness of God, which Jesus perfectly fulfilled as the embodiment of holiness. ·      Jesus is the great High Priest who did and continues to intercede for us. ·      He is the one in whom God's presence fully dwells as God in the flesh. Jesus is the one who came and dwelt among us - as we discussed in chapter 1. ·      Related to that, the temple held the very glory of God. That glory has been fulfilled in Christ Jesus. His glory will shine for eternity. We read earlier in the service from Revelation 21, there will be no temple in new heavens and earth, for the temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb. The old Temple has passed. It has been destroyed, but God has raised up the new temple. Friends, you don't need to take a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. You don't need to visit the western temple mount wall. You don't need earthly priests. Sacrifices will not bring you to God. As the author of Hebrews put it, "it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin." Those things have passed away. The temple is no more. In fact, we should not hope for a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. To hope for a rebuilt temple would be to believe that Christ's sacrifice was insufficient. We should not desire that old shadow return… why? because the true substance has come. Jesus has come. The curtain was torn and the temple destroyed. Hoping for a rebuilt temple would be kind of like if you were planning a trip. And you bought a travel book. It had pictures and maps and information on where you are going - like maybe one of our great national parks. But you get there, and the whole time, you sit in your hotel room reading your travel guide. You miss out on the beauty and the wonder of the destination to which that guide was revealing. The temple's purpose was to reveal Christ. The fulfillment of the temple has come. Jesus has come. Through him is full access to God. Our hope should be in Christ and the New Jerusalem in eternity. Multiple times in the New Testament, God's people are called a temple of the living God. That is because when you are united to Christ by faith, God dwells in you. You have all the blessings of communing with God through the Holy Spirit when you are joined to him by faith. When that happens, your sin is atoned for. You can confess your sin in repentance, knowing you are forgiven. You can pray to the God of the universe for your burdens and pain and sickness. And, you can worship him with joy and hope. Are you a temple of the Living God? Do you believe this word? Did you notice that the word "believe" is used again? It's there in verse 22. Jesus' disciples "believed the Scripture", it says. It's a pattern. Last week, the disciples believed in Jesus. At the end of chapter 1, Nathaniel believed. And earlier in chapter 1, we're told that all who believe in his name, God gave the right to become children of God. If you don't yet believe, will you? Because, when you do, you will receive all the blessings and benefits formerly displayed in the temple of old, but now fully realized in Jesus Christ. You will have God's presence through his Spirit, forgiveness through his blood, and his holiness given to you. Come to the true temple.

One of the finest pastors I have known was Dr. Neville Gritt, originally from Bournemouth before moving to the United States, where he founded and led a large church in Sarasota, Florida. Though the church was impressive in size and grounds, he sensed that spiritual health might not match outward appearance. One Saturday night he disguised himself as a homeless man—old clothes smeared in grime, hair and face dirty—and early Sunday morning he sat on the church lawn as members arrived. No one recognised him. Many avoided him. The evangelism bus drove past. Only one elderly church leader knelt beside him and asked how he could help. Later that morning, freshly showered and dressed, he preached about showing God's love. The congregation fell silent when he asked who had helped the vagrant outside. Then he revealed: “It was me.” Conviction swept the church. Tears flowed. That day marked a turning point. The church became known not for its size, but for its love and compassion. Real caring Christianity is one of the greatest needs of our time. God has no time for fake religion that majors on outward appearance but neglects inward reality. Jesus warned: Matthew 16:6 “Watch out for and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Isaiah was fierce in confronting false religion, especially in Isaiah 58, where people expected God to answer them simply because they fasted. Isaiah 58:2–3 They appeared eager for God, yet their lives told a different story.1. Real Christianity Is Totally Different From Hypocritical ReligionIsaiah 58:5 “Is this the kind of fast I have chosen… only a day for people to humble themselves?”Outward rituals cannot compensate for inward rebellion. Isaiah exposes the contradiction:● You can't do whatever you wantVerse 3: “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please.”● You can't exploit peopleVerse 3: “And exploit all your workers.”● You can't be angry and violentVerse 4: “Your fasting ends in quarrelling & strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists.”● You can't be judgmental and criticalVerse 9: “Do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk.”Verse 4 concludes: “You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.”It is useless to appear holy while living selfishly, exploiting others, or harbouring bitterness.True faith must be consistent in private and public. Children and grandchildren must seeauthentic Christianity lived out daily.2. Real Christianity Means Caring For People In Great NeedIsaiah 58:6–7 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen…”True spirituality expresses itself in practical compassion.● Opposing injustice“To loose the chains of injustice… set the oppressed free.”Speak against exploitation, trafficking, racial hatred and antisemitism. Stand againstsystems that crush people.● Feeding the hungry; “Is it not to share your food with the hungry…” Support famine relief abroad and practical care at home.● Helping the homeless; “Provide the poor wanderer with shelter…” Care about those without stability or refuge.● Clothing the naked; “When you see the naked, to clothe them.” Give generously and thoughtfully.● Looking after your own family; “And not to turn away from your own flesh and blood.” Christianity begins at home—caring for young and old, not abandoning the weak.Jesus reaffirmed this in: Matthew 25:37–40 “Whatever you did for one of the least of thesebrothers of mine, you did for me.”Christianity is not an over-spiritualised faith detached from real needs. Jesus said: John 8:12 – “I am the light of the world.” And also declared: “You are the light of the world… You are the salt of the earth.”The gospel includes salvation, forgiveness, healing, deliverance, the power of the Holy Spirit—and compassionate action.History proves this. Evangelical believers transformed society:● John Wesley helped restore moral and social conscience in Britain.● William Wilberforce led the fight against slavery and championed reform.● William and Catherine Booth and the Salvation Army confronted child exploitation and human trafficking, helping bring legislative change.Real Christianity has always been both spiritual and practical—prophetic and compassionate.3. Real Christianity Brings Many BlessingsIsaiah 58:8–11 “Then your light will break forth like the dawn… The Lord will guide you always… You will belike a well-watered garden.”When faith is authentic and compassionate:● Light breaks forth in darkness● Healing comes● God answers prayer● Guidance is given● Strength is renewed● Satisfaction replaces emptiness● Flourishing follows“The glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.”Great blessing follows right living and right doing.Real Christian faith is not “bless me and mine,” but “Lord, bless me that I may bless the world”—beginning with family, church and community. It is not about merely attending meetings, but meeting needs.Not just turning up for church—but being the church.Not empty religion—but loving God and loving people in truth and action

00:00 Introduction01:19 The Gospel Account of Saint John's telling of the raising of Lazarus08:53 The apolytikion emphasizes the general resurrection11:29 Parallel to The Feast of Transfiguration12:32 The verses of the odes for Lazarus Saturday15:36 Our obligation to the evangelion of The Christ19:45 Closing~~~Lazarus Saturday - From What Are We Saved?~~~Reference materials for this episode: Little Compline for the evening prior to Lazarus Saturday - As translated into English by the Antiochian Archdiocese of North AmericaScripture citations for this episode:John 11:1 - John 12:11 - The raising of Lazarus~~~Jim returns to the series of Lenten Triodion reflections he began last year. Having completed the Sundays of preparation & the Sundays of Lent, he picks up this week with Lazarus Saturday.The Church emphasizes the confirmation of the general resurrection as well as this event being the "final straw" which drives the Sadducees to seek Jesus' death which is why this day is one week prior to His crucifixion on the Liturgical calendar.The Christian Saints Podcast is a joint production of Generative sounds & Paradosis Pavilion. Our hosts are Father Symeon Kees of Iowa City & James John Marks of Chicago.Paradosis Pavilion - https://youtube.com/@paradosispavilion9555https://www.instagram.com/christiansaintspodcasthttps://x.com/podcast_saintshttps://www.facebook.com/christiansaintspodcasthttps://www.threads.net/@christiansaintspodcasthttps://bsky.app/profile/xtiansaintspodcast.bsky.socialIconographic images used by kind permission of Nicholas Papas, who controls distribution rights of these imagesPrints of all of Nick's work can be found at Saint Demetrius Press - http://www.saintdemetriuspress.comAll music in these episodes is a production of Generative Soundshttps://generativesoundsjjm.bandcamp.comDistribution rights of this episode & all music contained in it are controlled by Generative SoundsCopyright 2021 - 2026

One bride for seven brothers! Oh, those soft-headed Sadducees! They weren't just hostile to Christ, like most of the religious VIPs around them - that was bad enough - these fellows were opposed to one of the foundational teachings of their own scriptures! But they thought they had enough brainpower to trap the Lord, and so they came up with a trick question for Him. One bride, seven brothers - and no fractions allowed! Here's Jim with part 3 of, The Authority of Jesus. Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS02242026_0.mp3Scripture References: Mark 11 & 12

On the Road Again | Week 8 | Ken Miller--Now under Roman protection, Paul undergoes a series of interrogations to determine the nature of his arrest and the Jew's accusations against him. Paul's Roman citizenship will come into play, as well as his knowledge of the feud between the Pharisees and Sadducees. We will also examine the Jewish and Roman views of “the way” and explore the various characters in the story.--Notes

This powerful message from Matthew 16 confronts us with a sobering reality: when our hearts grow hard, no amount of evidence will convince us of God's truth. We explore the dangerous intersection of spiritual blindness and cultural influence, examining how the Pharisees and Sadducees—two groups normally opposed to each other—united in their hostility toward Jesus. Despite witnessing countless miracles, they demanded yet another sign, revealing that their problem wasn't insufficient evidence but rather resistant hearts. The message warns us about the subtle leaven of false teaching that can permeate our lives through social media, entertainment, and cultural voices. We're challenged to examine what we're allowing into our minds and hearts—the podcasts we consume, the shows we stream, the influencers we follow. The ultimate invitation is to stop demanding God prove himself on our terms and instead surrender to the greatest sign already given: the cross and empty tomb.

In this sobering message from Matthew 12:9-14, we witness the moment the Pharisees cross the line from opposition to murderous conspiracy against Jesus—all because He healed a man on the Sabbath. By asking, "Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath?" Jesus exposed their hardness of heart and demonstrated that He is indeed Lord of the Sabbath. But the healing itself isn't the main point; it's a sign of God's love and a confrontation of idolatry. The Pharisees valued their rules over people, their sheep over the sheep of God's flock, and their religious system over the Messiah Himself. In their darkened hearts, they conspired with their enemies—the Herodians, the Sadducees, and eventually Rome—to destroy Jesus. This passage reminds us that we still live in a world of darkness, spiritual attack, and conspiracy. But the answer to darkness is light: Jesus, the Word made flesh, the Good Shepherd who cares for His sheep. Whether you're under spiritual attack or actually partnering with darkness this message calls you back to the Light—the One who overcomes all darkness.

For thousands of years Christians have gathered around the world once a week to remember and celebrate Jesus together. However, is what we call “church” what it was intended to be? This movement that we have been swept up in began with a handful of people who were not terribly sure of what they were doing. In fact, they were mostly unsure and confused in their nature.But by the grace of God, the Holy Spirit empowered them to establish and lead a revolutionary vision creating witnesses of the love and grace of Jesus that has continued even to this day. We are here today because of the ACTS OF THE APOSTLES through the Holy Spirit just weeks after Jesus was crucified and resurrected. This study of the book of Acts should bring us back to purpose of the church and the power of the Holy Spirit. --- After the healing of the lame man outside of the Temple in Jerusalem, Peter and John face a familiar foe - the Sadducees. The battle is waged in a sacred place to the elitist Sadducees and their power comes face to face with the power of the name of Jesus Christ. Peter & John stand in bold opposition to the ruling council and hold their ground as they speak and work in the name of the only One who can save.

What informs you will ultimately form you. In this message from Matthew 16:1–12, Jesus warns His disciples to "beware of the leaven" of the Pharisees and Sadducees—a powerful reminder that small influences can have massive spiritual impact. Just like yeast quietly works through dough, subtle ideas, attitudes, and relationships can shape our faith from the inside out. As religious leaders demanded signs with skeptical hearts, Jesus exposed the danger of bad teaching, a critical spirit, and corrupt company. A little compromise may seem harmless, but left unchecked, it can redirect your worldview, harden your heart, and erode your trust in God. This message challenges us to take inventory: What voices are shaping your understanding of God? Are you hearing truth with surrender—or with critique? Who has the strongest influence in your life? Jesus' warning isn't meant to create fear, but faithfulness. Guard your heart. Guard your mind. Surround yourself with people who strengthen your calling. Because a little leaven can either corrupt your character—or, when rooted in truth, cultivate Christlikeness. Stay vigilant. Protect your faith. Small influences create big impact.  

Jesus faces the Sadducees, who devise a calculated trap designed to make resurrection appear absurd and to embarrass Him. Instead, Jesus exposes their flawed argument and failure to know either the Scriptures or the power of God.

Matthew Week 126   Matthew 22:34-35 ESV   34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.       Matthew 22:36-38 ESV   36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37 And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment.       Deuteronomy 6:4-5 ESV   4 "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.       Deuteronomy 10:12-13 ESV   12 "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?       Psalm 18:1-2 ESV   I love you, O Lord, my strength.   2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,   my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,   my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.       Matthew 22:39-40 ESV   39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."       Leviticus 19:18 ESV   18 "'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.       Luke 10:36-37 ESV   36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" 37 He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise."       Romans 7:4-6 ESV   4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. 5 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.       Romans 7:7 ESV   7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet."       Mark 12:32 ESV   32 And the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him.       Matthew 22:41-45 ESV   41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, 42 saying, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "The son of David." 43 He said to them, "How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying,   44 "'The Lord said to my Lord,   "Sit at my right hand,   until I put your enemies under your feet"'?   45 If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?"       Matthew 22:46 ESV   46 And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

Peter and John have just preached the gospel in Solomon's Colonnade after healing a man who was lame from birth. The priests, the captain of the temple police, and the Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) were annoyed with their preaching, so they seized Peter and John and jailed them overnight. In today's episode they will stand before the Sanhedrin, a counsel of Jewish religious leaders who held court concerning religious matters. Seeing the healed man, the simply threaten them not to preach in the name Jesus. After they are let go, they only request to preach Christ with greater boldness. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Just who do you think you are?! When Jesus dared to do some much-needed housekeeping in the Temple, the religious elite were furious. They challenged His authority. He challenged their authority... and identity... and destiny. Before the day was over Christ would checkmate the scribes, the elders, the Pharisees, the Sadducees and even the Herodians. It was a bad day to be a hypocrite. Here's Jim to open a sermon from Mark 12 called, Who Owns the Vineyard? Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS02182026_0.mp3Scripture References: Mark 12:1-12

Luke reported in his gospel that the disciples were commissioned by Jesus to preach the coming kingdom, cast out demons, and heal diseases while Jesus was still alive, but today's reading contains the first detailed eye-witness account of the apostles doing so and the first instance reported after Christ's ascension. Their fellow Israelites are amazed, and Peter uses the opportunity to preach the gospel, calling them to repent and trust in Christ. By the time they're finished, they earn the ire of the priests, temple police, and Sadducees, who don't want the name of Jesus to be proclaimed. The number of those converted included 5,000 men, which may represent only half of those converted. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Why does the resurrection matter so much to the Christian faith—and why was it so controversial in the early church? In this episode, Emma Dotter unpacks Acts 4:1-31 by breaking down the three primary religious groups that opposed the early church, including the Sadducees. Then, Emma is joined by Watermark member Bruno Ysla for a thoughtful conversation on the significance of the resurrection. Together, they explore the theology behind the resurrection, why it's central to Christianity, and how differing views on it shape belief and practice today. // ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED: 1 Corinthians 5: 17 // RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY:  Acts: A Paragraph-by-Paragraph Exegetical Evangelical Bible Commentary by Darrell L. Bock: https://a.co/d/0g3ggXK9  // RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:  S4:256 – Luke 23-34 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-256-luke-23-24/id1600151923?i=1000733444687) S4:264 – Acts 3-4 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-264-acts-3-4/id1600151923?i=1000735193276) // WHAT IS JOIN THE JOURNEY? Join The Journey is a realistic daily Bible reading plan that helps followers of Jesus at Watermark Community Church and beyond enjoy abiding in Jesus together. Join The Journey Jr. is designed to help parents guide their kids in Bible reading through interactive and age-specific lessons. In 2026, we're studying the book of Acts—one passage per week. For another year, teaching on Sunday will align with each week's passage. Then, for the next six days, we'll return to the same passage with fresh focus, exploring insights about who God is and how we can enjoy him more deeply. Monday through Saturday, we'll approach the same passage from a different perspective each day—whether observation, interpretation, prayer, or another spiritual practice—to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for God's Word. Then, watch or listen to the video podcast to tackle the week's toughest verses and discover key historical, theological, and practical insights. Daily Bible lessons for adults: https://jointhejourney.com Daily Bible lessons for parents and families: https://jointhejourney.com/jr Weekly Bible podcast for kids: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...  // MORE RESOURCES FROM JOIN THE JOURNEY:  Digital Bible study resources: https://jointhejourney.com/resources Previous years' print curriculum: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Waterma... Contact the Join The Journey team: jointhejourney@watermark.org  

Jesus made it back to Jerusalem!. After years of traveling and teaching, Jesus finally enters the familiar streets for the last week of his life on earth. It's a monumental moment: crowds ran out to meet him and to accompany him back into the city. It's a provocative moment, too, for the crowds are waving palm branches, rejoicing, shouting and saying “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” The words are from Psalm 118 and would announce the Messiah! Do the crowds know that? The Pharisees did, and tried to stop it but they couldn't. So did the Sadducees. But they couldn't either. Come find out why.

Subscribe and Follow. Thanks! - NOTES AVAILABLE AT: https://www.gracereach.org/luke - In PART TWO of this teaching, Brad continues to explain how the message of John the Baptist was a warning of judgment to the people of first- century, old covenant Israel that was connected to their violations of the Law of Moses. This judgment was the dreadful and terrible day of the Lord spoken of by Malachi and Jesus (the great tribulation), and was fulfilled in AD 70 when the Roman Armies destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. In this teaching, Brad explains that the Pharisees and Sadducees were the offspring of Satan, the brood of vipers. This teaching and other teachings are available on the Gracereach website: https://www.gracereach.org/luke - For more of Brad's resources, see below.Brad's books are all available on Amazon in Paperback.Revelation Volume 1: Judgment On First-Century Israelhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7GBG42CRevelation Volume 2: War On The Saintshttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FN3XR59L490 Years Determined: The Seventy Years of Daniel Explainedhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPX7VZY5Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and the Kingdom of Grace -https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9YFCXC8/Toxic Discipleship: Restoring the Gospel - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNN8PB7LAddicted To Grace: A New Life Awaits - https://www.amazon.com/Addicted-Grace-New-Life-Awaits/dp/0578407760Forgiven and Cleansed: 1 John 1:9 In Context - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N3NBPPRReturn to Grace: A Commentary on Galatians - https://www.amazon.com/Return-Grace-Commentary-Brad-Robertson/dp/B08HV8HRTCStrategic Church: Reaching The World With Grace - https://www.amazon.com/Strategic-Church-Strategy-Reach-World/dp/B08733MRWWThe Story of Grace: Your Life Will Never Be The Same - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692084940Website: https://www.gracereach.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bradr1966YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClip-czxRgZbxtWg-w2YL7APodcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gracereach-podcast-with-brad-robertson/id1503583444 (You may listen to Brad's podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Anchor, Google Podcasts, and most all podcast platforms.)If you would like to donate to Brad's ministry, Gracereach, to help reach more and more people with the good news of God's grace. click here:https://www.gracereach.org/donatetogracereachThank you!

Matthew Week 125   Romans 13:1 ESV   Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.       1 Peter 2:13-15 NASB   13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.15 For such is the will of God, that by doing right you silence the ignorance of foolish people.       Matthew 22:23-24 ESV   23 The same day Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection, and they asked him a question, 24 saying, "Teacher, Moses said, 'If a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.'       John 11:47-48 NASB   47 Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council meeting, and they were saying, "What are we doing in regard to the fact that this Man is performing many signs? 48 If we let Him go on like this, all the people will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take over both our place and our nation."       Deuteronomy 25:5-6 ESV   5 "If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead man shall not be married outside the family to a stranger. Her husband's brother shall go in to her and take her as his wife and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her. 6 And the first son whom she bears shall succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel.       Deuteronomy 25:9-10 ESV   9 then his brother's wife shall go up to him in the presence of the elders and pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face. And she shall answer and say, 'So shall it be done to the man who does not build up his brother's house.' 10 And the name of his house shall be called in Israel, 'The house of him who had his sandal pulled off.'       Matthew 22:25-28 ESV   25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother. 26 So too the second and third, down to the seventh.27 After them all, the woman died. 28 In the resurrection, therefore, of the seven, whose wife will she be? For they all had her."       1 Corinthians 15:13-19 NASB   13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, your faith also is in vain. 15 Moreover, we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have hoped in Christ only in this life, we are of all people most to be pitied.       "What we know today as the great Watergate cover-up lasted only three weeks. Some of the most powerful politicians in the world–and we couldn't keep a lie for more than three weeks…Can anyone believe that for fifty years that Jesus' disciples were willing to be ostracized, beaten, persecuted, and all but one of them suffer a martyr's death–without ever renouncing their conviction that they had seen Jesus bodily resurrected? Does anyone really think the disciples could have maintained a lie all that time under that kind of pressure?" https://breakpoint.org/watergate-and-the-resurrection/       Matthew 22:29-33 ESV   29 But Jesus answered them, "You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 31 And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: 32 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not God of the dead, but of the living." 33 And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.       Luke 20:34-36 NASB   34 Jesus said to them, "The sons of this age marry and the women are given in marriage, 35 but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; 36 for they cannot even die anymore, for they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.       Luke 20:37-38 ESV   37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. 38 Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him."       2 Timothy 1:9-14 NASB   9 who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was granted to us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to protect what I have entrusted to Him until that day. 13 Hold on to the example of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 Protect, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.                    

What the bible is all about; Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil vs Tree of Life; Walls of misunderstanding; Pharisees and Sadducees; The serpent in the garden; Whole truth?; Why Leviticus was written; Pontius Pilate's position; Monetary system in Judea; Decline of Roman republic; Duty to fellowman; Evidence of salvation; Knowing the WHOLE Jesus; Devil believes in Jesus; Have you repented?; Things God hates; Nicolaitans and Baalam; Charity; Levites; Atonement; What we thought we knew that just ain't so; Lev 5:1 Awkward translation; Jewish Christmas lights story; Hating; The "world" God loves; All MIGHT be saved; Bearing witness to iniquity; Carcase?; Unclean things?; Sacrifice?; nun-biet-lamad-hey; Julius Caesar and the Gauls; Unclean bread provided by Rome; Foolish things; Golden calf; Reserve fund?; Oaths; Bound to unknown crimes; Guilt; Confession - to whom?; Making recompense; How to have a healthy community; Unintended consequences; Trespass offerings; Stones of the Levite altars; Touching unclean things; Offering covering the trespass; Taking care of the needy; Social welfare via the altars; Turtledove?; Cheating; Sprinkling blood?; Christ forbade us…; Atonement for sin?; Ransom, price of life, sacrifice; Things of value; The principle: you caused damage; Owning up; Responsibility; Spirit of a free society; v12 - bringing to priest; "fire"; Why the old men wept; Forgiveness; Paying it forward; Reparations?; Freewill offerings; What Christ was doing; Making amends; Forgiven by whom?; Prodigal son example; Whose house do you live in?; Getting back to your father's house; Repent and seek His kingdom and righteousness; Why a priest?; Wise, efficient giving; "Kingdom"; Determining what you owe in recompense; Things forgotten; Injuring someone is a trespass against the LORD; Human resources; Caiaphas and Jesus; Pay it forward.

Exploring the Connection Between Matthew 16 and Nehemiah For BibleInTen.com - By DH, 14th February 2026 Welcome back to Bible in Ten! Today, we have another bonus episode as our daily commentary from CG at the Superior Word rounds off Matthew Chapter 16. Matthew's Gospel contains 28 chapters, and remarkably, it mirrors the first 28 books of the Old Testament as arranged in the Christian Bible. So in this episode, having considered Matthew 16, we'll now look at its fascinating counterpart: Book 16 of the Old Testament-Nehemiah. Nehemiah (נְחֶמְיָה / Nechemyah) means “Yah comforts.” That is appropriate because the whole book is comfort through restoration after judgment. Nehemiah functions as a historical “control text,” showing an established covenant pattern that Matthew 16 then re-presents prophetically (while still being literal history in Jesus' life, confirmed by the other Gospel writers).  Isn't the Word of God Amazing?! Let us now take a look at 12 connections which which support the summary of the chapter as detailed in the previous episode.     Unlike pairings between Matthew 14 with 2 Chronicles—where the correspondence spans a wider sweep of history across multiple dispensational stages—the Matthew 16 / Nehemiah pairing is compressed into a narrower prophetic frame (the tribulation-period restoration conflict) and does not proceed step by step.  The lack of a perfectly locked step-by-step sequence is itself instructive.   In Matthew 14 the picture maps a long, ordered panorama where chronology matters as it spans events across Israel's history from the dispensation of law to and prophetic future carries a clearer, more sequential structure. .. But in the Matthew 16 / Nehemiah pairing—focused on the tribulation—Scripture is not chiefly giving a detailed internal timetable; it is giving the shape of the period.   So lets turn to that shape now with these 12 steps. A Demand for a Sign and the First Opposition Matthew 16 opens with the Pharisees and Sadducees coming together to test Jesus, demanding a “sign from heaven.” It is leadership pressure-religious power trying to control the terms. Nehemiah opens with the same kind of pressure appearing as soon as restoration is announced. When Nehemiah arrives with authorization to rebuild, opposition rises immediately: Sanballat and Tobiah are “grieved” that someone came to seek Israel's good (Nehemiah 2:10). They then laugh and scorn: “What is this thing that ye do?” (2:19) The pattern is consistent: when God moves to restore, the entrenched powers demand proof, challenge legitimacy, and attempt to intimidate the work before it begins. “You Can Read the Sky… But Not the Times” Jesus says they can interpret the sky, but they cannot discern “the signs of the times.” The irony is that the very men claiming insight are the ones blind to what God is doing. Nehemiah carries that same irony in restoration form. The enemies act as if they understand the situation and control the outcome—mocking, threatening, and plotting as though the work will collapse on their schedule. But they do not know what's really happening. Their blindness shows in this: they only learn after the fact that their plan has been uncovered. In Nehemiah —“when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought…” (Nehemiah 4:15). They thought they were the ones reading the moment, but they were misreading it completely. The builders knew; the enemies did not. And once the plot was exposed, the intimidation lost its power and the work continued. The Sign of Judgment Remembered With the coming of the end times, the leaders of Israel would be expected to understand the situation they are in—but in Matthew 16 they are shown as unable to read it. Jesus calls them “wicked and adulterous” and says no sign will be given except “the sign of the prophet Jonah.” In the previous episode we learned that, Jonah's “Yet forty days” becomes a prophetic template—forty as judgment time—fulfilled in the temple's destruction about forty years after Christ, and then the long exile that followed. The end-times petition is therefore not, “wait for a new sign,” but: look back, read your history through Scripture, and believe. Nehemiah begins with that same mechanism already in place. The “sign” is not in the sky; it is in the city. Jerusalem stands as a covenant witness—broken, burned, and shamed: “the wall of Jerusalem… broken down, and the gates… burned with fire” (Nehemiah 1:3). And crucially, Nehemiah interprets that ruin as meaning—he does not treat it as mere geopolitics. He confesses, “We have dealt very corruptly… and have not kept the commandments” (1:7), and he appeals to what God had already spoken in the Scriptures about scattering for unfaithfulness and gathering upon repentance (1:8-9). Matthew 16 points Israel to a coming historical sign—temple judgment—meant to force a right reading of Scripture and history. Nehemiah opens with an earlier historical sign—Jerusalem in ruins—meant to do the same. In both cases, the issue is not that God failed to leave evidence. The issue is whether the people will stop being “clueless,” read the sign correctly, internalize what it says about their covenant state, and then return to the Lord in true faith. Crossing Over: From Exile-Space to Covenant-Space The movement across the sea of Galilee (and thus the Jordan-line running through it) pictured a spiritual boundary-those “on the other side” needing to come through Christ. Nehemiah is structured around a grand “crossing” of its own: movement from Persia and the regions “beyond the river” into the land where God's name was set. The restoration work begins when Nehemiah leaves the place of worldly security and goes to the place of covenant accountability. Beware the Leaven: Corrupt Influence Inside the People In Matthew 16, Jesus warns of the “leaven” of the Pharisees and Sadducees—doctrine and influence that works invisibly, spreading through the whole lump until everything is affected. The disciples first think He is speaking about bread, but Jesus corrects them: the danger is not what you eat, but what you absorb. Nehemiah gives a historical picture of that same leaven-principle. The enemy does not remain at the gate. He aims for infiltration—to become familiar, acceptable, even respected within the restored community. During the rebuilding, Nehemiah notes that the nobles were already entangled: “For many in Judah were pledged to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shechaniah the son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.” (Nehemiah 6:18). The leaven isn't merely threat from outside; it is sympathy and alliance forming inside—compromise that feels normal because it comes through “our own people.” And when that leaven is left unchecked, it advances from relationships to residence. In Nehemiah 13, Tobiah is not simply corresponding with leaders—he is granted an actual chamber in the temple precincts (Nehemiah 13:4-9). The unclean influence in its mature form, so that what begins as tolerated association ends as sanctioned presence. This is exactly the warning Matthew 16 carries forward. Don't misread the matter as “bread,” as though the issue were external details. The real danger is the teaching, the partnerships, the slow drift—leavened thinking that spreads through the body while everyone tells themselves nothing serious is happening, until the holy space itself is compromised. Power, Pride, and the Military Temptation Caesarea Philippi was highlighted as a picture-space: Caesar as deified man; Philippi as leaning on the “horse” principle-military pride. Nehemiah's rebuilding occurs under constant threat. The people must be armed while they build.  They work with one hand and hold a weapon with the other (Nehemiah 4:17-18). But Nehemiah carefully frames this: the sword is not their salvation. Their security is God, and vigilance is obedience. Necessary defense exists, but pride in defense is a snare. The people are restored, yet always at risk of trusting the wall more than the Lord. “Who Do You Say That I Am?” and the Community's Confession In Matthew 16, we have the God assisted confession: “You are the Christ.” Nehemiah contains an extended sequence where Israel is restored not merely by masonry but by identity-confession through God's Word: “So they read from the Book of the Law of God, explaining it and giving insight, so that the people could understand what was being read.” (Nehemiah 8:8). This leads into confession of sin and confession of God's faithfulness (Nehemiah 9). In the Matthew framework: end-times Jews become true “hearers”- not merely readers of signs, but confessors of what the signs meant. 8. Kingdom-Order, and Covenant Enrollment In Matthew 16, everything turns on identity and confession. Israel can offer many assessments of Jesus—prophet, teacher, threat—but the end-times remnant is identified as those who follow Peter's confession: “You are the Christ.” After this, Jesus blesses Peter with a name that ties back to the only sign granted—Bar-Jonah, “son of Jonah.” In other words, Peter typifies the Jews who have heard the sign of Jonah, interpreted their own history rightly, and therefore confess the Messiah they once missed. That confession marks them out as the out-called, and it is on that proclamation that Christ speaks of kingdom entry—the granting of the keys. Nehemiah provides an Old Covenant “control text” for that same movement: a remnant comes to understanding, confession, and then formalized belonging. After the Scriptures are read and the national confession is made (Nehemiah 8-9), the people do not remain in mere emotion or general agreement. They move into enrollment—a defined act of covenant identity: “And because of all this, we make a sure covenant and write it; our leaders, our Levites, and our priests seal it” (Nehemiah 9:38; detailed in chapter 10). Names are written. Allegiance is publicly owned. Commitments and boundaries are stated. And the Hebrew meaning of these written names themselves bear connection to tribulation period events described in Revelation. In typology terms, Nehemiah shows a keys-of-the-kingdom counterpart in historical form, a concrete act of authorized inclusion into a defined covenant community. As Bar-Jonah represents those who finally hear and identify the true Messiah, the sealed covenant in Nehemiah represents those who finally own and enter the restored order. 9. A Messiah Who Must Suffer: The Offense of God's Way In Matthew 16, Peter stumbles over the suffering plan. The moment Jesus speaks openly about rejection, suffering, and death, Peter tries to correct Him—and Jesus rebukes him sharply. The warning is against demanding a triumphant, expectation-shaped messiah while rejecting the true Messiah as God presents Him—first crucified, then glorified. Nehemiah provides the historical control picture of that same offense. Restoration there advances through obedience under scorn. The workers are mocked (Nehemiah 4:1-3), threatened (4:7-8), and worn down by discouragement (4:10). Yet the work moves forward because they refuse the “easy” path of retreat, silence, or compromise. That is the typological connection: Peter's impulse—“this shall not happen to You”—is the human instinct to reject a deliverance that comes through suffering. Nehemiah's remnant models the opposite posture: they accept that God often brings vindication after humiliation.   10. Deny Yourself: The Cost of Faithfulness Under Pressure In Matthew 16, Jesus' call to deny yourself is not abstract spirituality—it is a demand for costly allegiance. In the end-times picture drawn, it means refusing the survival-instinct that compromises truth, and choosing fidelity to Christ even when it carries temporary loss. Nehemiah provides a clear historical control of that same principle. He refuses the governor's allowance—he will not enrich himself at the people's expense: “I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor” (Nehemiah 5:14-19).  In both cases the work of God is advanced by those willing to serve faithfully even when they could have claimed their rights. Vindication: God's Work Revealed Before Enemies Matthew 16 ends with the thought of the Son of Man coming in glory with His messengers-a public unveiling of reality. Nehemiah contains a miniature version of that unveiling: The wall is finished, and the enemies “perceived that this work was wrought of our God” (Nehemiah 6:15-16). The point is the pattern: endurance, completion, public recognition that God did it, not man. What is done in faith is later shown to have been of God. A Remnant Standing at the End Some will make it through the tribulation without tasting death when they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom. In Nehemiah, the “standing remnant” idea is stated in the narrative milestones that mark survival through the entire pressure campaign to the realized outcome. They survive to completion: “So the wall was finished…” (Nehemiah 6:15). They survive the intimidation campaign and remain in place: after the plot is exposed and collapses, the work continues and the enemies are put to shame (Nehemiah 6:16). They transition from building under threat to ordered life in the city: once the wall is finished, “the doors were set up,” gatekeepers and Levites are appointed, and watch is established (Nehemiah 7:1-3). They are still there as a gathered people at the end of the building phase: “all Israel dwelt in their cities… and all the people gathered themselves together as one man” (Nehemiah 7:73-8:1). They move from completion to public dedication: “at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem…” (Nehemiah 12:27), culminating in corporate worship and rejoicing (Nehemiah 12:43). Nehemiah doesn't just end with “a wall.” It ends with a preserved community—still present, still assembled, moving from survival under pressure (6:15-16) into established order (7:1-3), unified gathering (7:73-8:1), and dedication/worship (12:27, 43). So the narrative picture of a remnant standing is explicit: some make it through, and they stand in what God established. CONCLUSION: Why This is Controlled Typology In Nehemiah, the question is: Will the returned people truly become God's people again-by truth, separation, and covenant fidelity-rather than by mere structure? In Matthew 16, the question becomes sharper and final: Will Israel discern what their own history meant, reject leavened leadership, confess the true Messiah, accept the suffering plan, and endure to the kingdom? Nehemiah gives the Old Covenant restoration pattern in history. Matthew 16 gives the New Covenant restoration petition in prophecy-picture-centered entirely on Jesus: who He is, what He must do, and what His people must endure in the tribulation period. Nehemiah rebuilds a wall around a city.  Matthew 16 reveals the confession upon which Christ builds His out-calling. Lord God, we thank You for Your word-holy, faithful, and true. Give us discernment for the times we live in. Guard us from leaven-quiet compromise, false teaching, and fear-driven counsel that sounds spiritual but serves another master.  Strengthen us to bear reproach, to deny ourselves, and to endure faithfully until Your purposes are complete.  And may all our confidence rest not in walls, not in strength, not in man-but in the name of the Lord our God. Amen.

Saturday, 14 February 2026   Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Matthew 16:28   “Amen! I say to you that they are some of those having stood here who not they should taste death until if they should see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus told His disciples that the Son of Man is about to come in His kingdom, and then He will give each according to his practice. He next says, “Amen! I say to you that they are some of those having stood here.”   The Greek verb is a perfect participle. As can be seen, the NKJV fails to properly elucidate this, saying, “some standing here.” In fact, one would be hard-pressed to find a translation that accurately translates the verb. Instead, they rely on a present tense or present participle rendering. But Jesus' words indicate a completed action, the results of which are still present or relevant, “having stood here.” The same perfect participle is found in the same context in Mark 9:1. Combined with the words, “some...here,” this limits the scope of what is said to those present. Of those referred to, Jesus next says they are those “who not they should taste death.”   A new word is seen, geuomai, to taste. It is used figuratively here to indicate experiencing. It is aorist subjunctive, viewing the whole as a single completed event. In other words, these will not experience death, “until if they should see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”   The meaning of this is widely debated. Is this referring to the transfiguration? Does this speak of the resurrection? Is it the beginning of the church at Pentecost? Is it the destruction of the temple in AD70? Is it referring to the millennial kingdom? And so on. Each of these has its supporters. For example, some believe that Jesus' words in John 21:22 mean that John is still alive and he will be one of the two witnesses. One of several problems with that is that the two witnesses will be killed before the Son of Man returns. Further, Jesus' words in Matthew 16:28 are plural, indicating more than one person. One of many problems with the destruction of the temple view is that Jesus didn't return in AD70. If He did, other words of Jesus would be a complete failure, such as Matthew 24:27.   There is no record of such an event, something that would not be lacking. That is an unbiblical attempt by preterists to dismiss any future prophecy, including the restoration of national Israel as a literal, historical event.   The problem with the Pentecost view is that it was the Holy Spirit, not Jesus, who came upon the people in Acts 2. To conflate the meaning of one with the other is stretching the text like a rubber band, which will eventually snap. As for the resurrection view, as Jesus was not in a glorified state at the resurrection, that also seems to be a stretch of the intent.   The account that is noted next at the beginning of Matthew 17 follows in the same manner in all three synoptic gospels, which is a strong hint that tells us that the transfiguration is what Jesus is referring to. It is a kingdom foretaste for the benefit of the disciples. As it is recorded in the word, it is thus provided as a benefit for all.   This glorified state was then viewed by John when he received the book of Revelation, including Jesus' return in Revelation 19. For a fuller and more complete explanation of the details of Matthew 16, please continue reading the life application section of this commentary.   Life application: Chapter 16 of Matthew is a passage that petitions the Jews of the end times to consider who Jesus is based on their own history, comparing it to how He is portrayed in Scripture.   In verse 1, Jesus was approached by the Pharisees and Sadducees, who asked for a sign from heaven. As in Chapter 15, these types of men represent the same thinking and paradigm as the rabbis of Israel today. Jesus told them that they could read the signs in the sky, but they could not discern the signs of the times.   With the coming of the end times, the Jews of Israel would naturally be expected to understand the situation they are in, but they will be clueless about the matter. In verse 4, Jesus said that the generation was wicked and adulterous, something akin to what Peter calls the Jews who rejected Jesus in Acts 2:40. Jesus continued that no sign would be given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah.   As explained, the sign of the prophet Jonah is the destruction of the temple, it being a year for a day based on Jonah's proclamation, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.”   In the end times, the Jews will have to look to their Scriptures, understand that their temple was destroyed and they were exiled for rejecting Jesus, internalize this truth, and then have faith in Him based on that.   As an explanation of the doctrine of faith in the Messiah, in verse 5, the disciples went across the Sea of Galilee. As such, they crossed the Jordan because the Jordan runs through the sea. Being on the other (east) side signifies those who have not come through Christ to be saved. Jesus told them in verse 6 to take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. They thought He was talking about bread. But He corrected them by recapping the miracles of feeding the five thousand and the four thousand.   These miracles, anticipating the salvation of Jews and Gentiles, testify to His being the Messiah. What He was warning them about was the doctrine of those false teachers, not about bread. Their doctrine is to be equated with the false doctrine of the rabbis and other law teachers of the end times who have returned to law observance, temple worship, etc. It is a warning that the end times Jews are not to follow those Satan-led examples. Faith in Jesus, as represented by the feeding of the masses, is what brings restoration with God.   In verse 13, it is noted that Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi. Caesarea is derived from Caesar. The idea of being a Caesar is the deification of the individual. He is attributed a god-like status. Philippi is from Philip, a lover of horses. But in Scripture, a horse is metaphorically used as a source of military pride –   “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7   Abarim rightly defines Philippi with the lengthy paraphrase, They Who Lean On Their Military Complex. It is exactly the source of pride that Israel of today is heading towards. Their military superiority is their source of pride and is exalted to god-like status. This will only increase after the battle of Gogd/Magog.   It is in this prefigured end-times state that Jesus asks them who He is. The various answers are answers you could expect from Jews. Jesus was a prophet (or false prophet) or whatever. However, Simon Peter proclaims Him the Christ. What was Jesus' response? “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah.”   The same name that was acknowledged as the sign in verse 4 is now noted by Jesus. He is Simon (Hearer) Son of Jonah. In other words, he represents the Jews who have understood (heard) the sign of Jonah. To be a son signifies identity. The end times Jews who acknowledge Jesus as the Christ are “sons of Jonah,” because they have made the connection by understanding the sign. In essence, “We missed Him when He came, but we know now who He is.”   It is on this proclamation that Jesus will build His out-calling of those in the end times. They will receive the keys to the kingdom of the heavens, entering into the millennial reign of Christ. In verse 21, Jesus spoke of His destiny to suffer and die. Peter's words of admonishment stirred Jesus to turn His back on him, call him Satan, and tell him he was not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.   It is a warning to the end times Jews that they are to accept a crucified Savior as the role of the Messiah. Israel looked, and still looks, for a conquering Messiah, but His role as the crucified Messiah is what God highlights in Him more than all else.   From there, Jesus told the disciples the words about denying themselves and losing their souls in order to save their souls. The thought is "losing their souls (meaning their lives) in order to save their souls."  It is exactly what is seen in Revelation –   “Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.” Revelation 14:9, 10  &   “And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.” Revelation 15:2   In verse 27, it said, “For the Son of Man is about to come in His Father's glory with His messengers.” This is exactingly described in Revelation 19:11 –   “And I saw the heaven having been opened. And you behold! Horse, white! And the ‘sitting upon it' being called ‘Faithful and True,' and in righteousness He judges, and He battles” (CG).   Jesus is coming in His Father's glory. In Matthew 24, it notes that in the end times, He will send out His angels (Greek: messengers) to gather His elect.   The final verse of the chapter then said, “Amen! I say to you, that they are some of those having stood here who not they will taste death until if they should see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Again, this is exactly what occurs in Revelation. Some of the end times Jews will make it through the entire tribulation, not seeing death until they behold Jesus coming in His kingdom.   These things are gleaned from Matthew 16, forming a picture of what is coming in the future for Israel.   Lord God, how precious it is to know that You will not reject Israel, even when the whole world is imploding, You will be with them and carry them as a people through the tribulation and into the time promised to them so long ago. Thank You for Your covenant faithfulness, even to those of us who fail You constantly. Amen. Matthew 16   16 And having approached, the Pharisees and Sadducees, testing, they queried Him to show them a sign from heaven. 2And answering, He said to them, “Evening having come, you say, ‘Good weather!', for the heaven, it is red, 3and early, ‘This day... inclemency!', for glowering, the heaven, it reddens. Hypocrites! Indeed, you know to discern the face of the heaven, and the seasons' signs, not you can. 4Generation – evil and adulteress – it seeks a sign, and a sign – not it will be given it – if not the sign of Jonah the prophet.” And having left them, He departed.   5And His disciples, having come to the beyond, they overlooked to take bread. 6And Jesus, He said to them, “You behold, and you caution from the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”   7And they deliberated in themselves, saying, “Because not we took bread!” 8And Jesus, having known, said to them, “Why – you deliberate in yourselves, little-faithed? Because you took no bread? 9You grasp, not yet, nor you recollect the five loaves – the five thousand, and how many handbaskets you took? 10Nor the seven loaves – the four thousand, and how many hampers you took? 11How not you recollect that I spoke not concerning bread to you! Caution from the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12Then they comprehended that not He said to caution from the leaven – the bread, but from the teaching – the Pharisees and Sadducees.   13And Jesus, having come to the allotments – Caesarea, the Phillipi, He entreated His disciples, saying, “Whom they say, the men, Me to be, the Son of Man?”   14And they said, “These, indeed, John the Immerser, and others Elijah, and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”   15He says to them, “And you, whom you say Me to be?”   16And answering, Simon Peter, he said, “You, You are the Christ, the Son of God, the living.”   17And Jesus, answering, He said to him, “Blessed you are, Simon, Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood not it revealed to you, but My Father, the ‘in the heavens'.” 18And I also, I say to you that you, you are Peter, and upon this – the Rock – I will build My out-calling, and Hades' gates, not they will overpower her. 19And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of the heavens. And whatever, if you may bind upon the earth, it will be ‘having been bound' in the heavens. And whatever, if you may loosen upon the earth, it will be ‘having been loosed' in the heavens.” 20Then He enjoined His disciples that they should say to none that He, He is Jesus the Christ.   21From then He began, Jesus, to show His disciples that it necessitates Him to depart to Jerusalem and to suffer many from the elders, and chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be roused.   22And Peter, having clutched Him, he began to admonish Him, saying, “Propitious, to You, Lord! No, not it will be, this to You!”   23And, having turned, He said to Peter, “You withdraw behind Me, Satan! Snare, you are, to Me. For you think not these of God but these of men.”   24The Jesus, He said to His disciples, “If any, he desires to come after Me, let him disown himself, and he took his cross, and he follows Me. 25For whoever, if he may desire to save his soul, he will lose it. And whoever, if he may lose his soul because of Me, he will find it. 26For what it benefits a man if he may gain the whole world and he may lose his soul? Or what will he give, man, equivalent his soul? 27For the Son of Man is about to come in His Father's glory with His messengers. And then He will give each according to his practice. 28Amen! I say to you, that they are some of those having stood here who not they will taste death until if they should see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

Friday, 13 February 2026   For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.  Matthew 16:27   “For the Son of Man is about to come in His Father's glory with His messengers. And then He will give each according to his practice” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus asked what profit it would be for a man to gain the world but lose his soul. He also questioned what a man could give for his soul. Jesus next says, “For the Son of Man is about to come in His Father's glory.”   What is Jesus talking about here? Ellicott says, “The fact that the Son of Man is about to come to execute judgment, clothes its abstract statement with an awful certainty.” The Pulpit Commentary says, “the final judgment would put things in their true light.” Gill says, “either a second time to judgment at the last day ... or in his power, to take vengeance on the Jewish nation.”   These thoughts of judgment essentially sum up the overall thought of what scholars say the verse is referring to. It is true that Jesus is coming in judgment. However, His words place “about” in the emphatic position. Word for word, it reads “About for the Son of the Man to come.”   With the emphasis on “about...to come,” it is a stretch to tie this into the final judgment. The chapter began with the Pharisees and Sadducees testing Him, asking for a sign from heaven. The contents of the chapter focus on faith in God's plans as the overarching theme.   Jesus is speaking to and about Israel under the law. As this is so, the “about...to come” is likely referring to Israel's judgment for rejecting Jesus. Understanding that this was the sign of Jonah Israel was to expect, as detailed in Matthew 16:4, it seems to be the logical explanation.   However, all three synoptic gospels mention this general idea of Jesus' coming (Matthew 16:27, Mark 9:1, and Luke 9:27). After each, the transfiguration is mentioned. The transfiguration is something only seen by Peter and John. They were told to tell no one what they saw until the Son of Man was raised (Matthew 17:9, Mark 9:9). They complied with this as noted in Luke 9:36.   Jesus is ultimately referring to the judgment of Israel in AD70, but His words at this time are immediately referring to the transfiguration. This continues to be seen in His next words, “with His messengers.”   When Jesus is transfigured, who is He with? Though getting ahead in the narrative, He is with Moses and Elijah. Jesus is not referring to angels. He is referring to those who received His word and passed it to the people of Israel.   Moses and Aaron are called messengers of the covenant in Acts 7:53 and Hebrews 2:2 (yes, those verses are referring to Moses and Aaron – see the corresponding Superior Word commentaries). John the Baptist is called a messenger in Malachi 3. Jesus equates him to Elijah in Matthew 11:14, and he is prophesied to come as the Lord's representative in Malachi 4:5.   These are the messengers Jesus is referring to now. Moses represents the law, while Elijah represents the prophets of the law. They will appear with Jesus at the transfiguration. Only then are the next words stated by Jesus. “And then He will give each according to his practice.”   A new word is seen here, praxis, a practice (Sure sounds like the Klingon planet's moon). HELPS Word Studies says, “a function, implying sustained activity and/or responsibility.”   Almost all translations make this thought a continuation of what has already been said in this verse. However, it is likely a separate sentence beginning with “And then.” There will be the transfiguration, something Peter will refer to in 2 Peter 1:18 as a witness to the truth of God in Christ.   With the testimony of these apostles, the nation of Israel can accept or reject their word. In their rejection of it, judgment will come. And it did come, just as Jesus said concerning the sign of Jonah. The temple was destroyed forty years later.   The judgment of Israel came upon each “according to his practice.” Was their practice faith in Jesus or continued trust in the law which He fulfilled? This is what Jesus is speaking about.   Life application: God's messengers are both earthly and heavenly. The context of the passage determines which is being referred to. The law was not received by angels from heaven. It was received by men who then passed it to the people of Israel.   Angels did not come to earth and sleep with human women in Genesis 6. Rather, the ungodly line of Cain intermingled with the godly line of Seth. Over-sensationalizing the word leads to confusion of thought and a misunderstanding of what God is doing in the redemptive narrative as it has unfolded throughout the ages.   If someone is constantly referring to such sensational things, it would be best to avoid their instruction on them. If that is all they speak about, they should be rejected entirely. The Bible's focus is on man's restoration and relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Keep this in focus, and you will do well.   O God, give us wisdom to rightly discern what Your word is telling us. There are many things that are hard to understand, and there are a lot of teachings that contradict each other. We can easily get lost in a sea of disagreement. So, Lord, lead us to the proper evaluation of what is being said so that we will be rightly trained. Amen.

February 13, 2026Today's Reading: John 4:46-54Daily Lectionary: Job 9:1-35 “Jesus said to him, 'Go; your son will live.” (John 4:50)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Isn't it amazing how Jesus can make the most ridiculously absurd statements and no one from among His followers ever questions Him? Pharisees and Sadducees seemingly get paid by the inquiry, but that's for another time. But really, if we made some of the claims Jesus did, people would stare at us and no doubt argue.  Not so, though, with Jesus. Because Jesus does something we cannot do. He backs up every statement He makes with proof, with action. In fact, without fail, everything He says comes to pass!  What a reading we have before us today. In John 4, Jesus heals the official's son. The man desperately searches out the One he has heard could do something for his son—heal him before he dies.  If only we had the faith of this official. While we give lip service to knowing the One who heals the sick, casts out demons, raises the dead, and saves the sinner, all too often our actions don't support that. Deep down, we cling to bits of doubt. Yes, Jesus has healed, but what if He doesn't this time? Sure, He has risen from the dead, but what if I am not worthy enough? I know He has forgiven some sins, but what if He doesn't forgive mine? Surely I have to assist in salvation in some way.  Such thinking is dangerous and does not seem to enter the mind of the official in our text. “The official said to him, ‘Sir, come down before my child dies.'  Jesus said to him, 'Go; your son will live.' The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.  As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering.” (John 4:49-51) Now, here is what we need to remember from this account. First, what faith this man has to believe Jesus would do exactly what He says. Second, Jesus NEVER enters the official's house. He NEVER physically looks upon his dying child. He doesn't need to. His power does not lie solely in seeing or touching… No! What we sing in the hymn “Thy Strong Word” is absolutely true. What breaks the darkness? What bespeaks us righteous?  The strong, powerful Word of God! In Baptism, in the Lord's Supper, Creation, the Word of God holds ALL the power! It does. In His Word, He declares you to be His precious child. In His Word, He declares you forgiven of all your sins! In the Word which became flesh and dwelt among us, who took you who were dead in your trespasses and sins and raised you to new life. Nothing our Lord says is ridiculous, absurd, or untrue. He speaks peace, truth, and life for you. Which is why He urges us to “abide in My word.” (John 8:31) Remain in that which holds all the power. That which creates, gives light, and makes us righteous. The Word of God.    In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Thy strong word did cleave the darkness At Thy speaking it was done For created light we thank Thee While Thy ordered seasons run. (LSB 578:1)Rev. Timothy Chase, pastor at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Truman, MNAudio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.Better understand difficult and overlooked Old Testament passages in this new book by Authors R. Reed Lessing and Andrew E. Steinmann. Their conversational yet academic writing style makes learning about the Old Testament accessible to those at all points in their Bible reading journey. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter invite you to think more in-depth about what you just read and record your answers. To stretch your understanding, a list of resources for further reading is also included at the back of the book.

Well, if you hadn't quite it together just yet, the book of Acts gets it's name because it is packed with action. The apostles continue to preach, the crowds continue to turn to Jesus, and the leaders of the Israelites (especially those of the Sadducees who deny the resurrection) continue to rage against Christ's followers. The section ahead of covers to unique firsts in the life of the church, including the first installation of deacons and the testimony of Stephen, the church's first recorded martyr. As we pick up our text where we last left off, we'll see what happens when a couple conspires to lie to the congregation (and thereby lies to the Holy Spirit) for the sake of personal gain and notoriety.Acts 5 – 1:10 . Acts 6 – 8:51 . Acts 7 – 11:22 . Proverbs 10 – 22:12 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Matthew 22:34-38  34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[a] 38 This is the […]

Where are the police in the kingdom of God?; Church took the place of the Pharisees; Sadducees; Zealots; Uncovering fraud and corruption; ICE as police; Confronting the perpetrators; John the Baptist; Christ's solution for Judea; Making the word of God to none effect; Reasonable ministry; Who are the policemen?; Citizen's arrest; Legitimate powers of governments; 10th amendment; People's police power?; Understanding common sense of police powers; Ex: government of Sumer; Principles of law; Consent; Taxation without representation?; Chain of consent; English common law?; Police powers connected to the courts; Welfare of the people = supreme law; Use of your property not to injure others; Kingdom police is everybody; Sheriff (Shire reeve); Tithingmen; Aoldermen; Police - health, safety and general welfare; Responsibility of the people; Citizenship of the United States; "We the People"; Q from Katwellair - Biblical Constitution? Limitations on the king/government; Rebels; Kingly powers; Facts vs feelings; Sitting in darkness - eyes have been darkened; Appetite for benefits; Bringing light into society; Power of the Holy Spirit; Individuals; Avoiding blaming others; Organization of police activities; Lacking of faith; Worshipping imaginary Christs; People becoming early Christians; Evidence of non-Christianity; Build the altars first; Gathering to serve like Christ; Codified laws; Tens; "Stoning"; Allowing light into your life; Freewill offerings (charity) alone; Welfare from modern churches?; Desire to save others; Understanding what Moses and Christ were doing; Strength of ancient Israel; Riot in Christ's time; Tens, Hundreds and Thousands; Temple police; Cities of refuge; Christs commands; Freeing others; Q from Mark: Police powers in The Church; Abandoned freedoms and rights; Non-standing of those sitting in darkness; Sacrifice like Christ did; Don't waste time: Make room for Holy Spirit within you.

Jesus is now in Jerusalem, having been welcomed with honor and cries of Hosanna, befitting for the entry of a king. This welcome has not gone unnoticed by the chief priests scribes, and elders who live and work in Jerusalem and in the Scriptures. They are jealous of the attention Jesus gets and doubt that he is the Messiah. In their interactions, Jesus doesn't cut them any slack, but instead, puts their hypocrisy on display and embarrasses those who consider themselves wise. They respond, not with humility and repentance, but with anger. Later, the Sadducees try to troll Jesus concerning the resurrection, but he gives them an authoritative answer that puts them in their place.  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In this Bible study, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the harmony of the Gospels by examining Jesus' teachings on vain worship and the feeding of the 4,000. He discusses Christ's critique of the Pharisees, who prioritized human traditions over God's commandments, highlighting the belief that true defilement comes from the heart, not external rituals. Fr. Matthias explains the significance of the encounter with the Syro-Phoenician woman, illustrating faith and perseverance beyond ethnic boundaries. He also covers Jesus' healing miracles among Gentiles, emphasizing the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies through these acts. The lesson includes a detailed look at the second feeding miracle, drawing parallels with the feeding of the 5,000 to show God's compassion and provision. Finally, Fr. Matthias addresses the Pharisees and Sadducees' demand for signs and Jesus' response about the sign of Jonah's resurrection, calling attention to spiritual blindness and the difficulty some had recognizing the Messiah. Subscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhouston Follow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhouston Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhouston Visit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

In this Bible study, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the harmony of the Gospels, focusing on Jesus' warning about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees and its spiritual implications. He explains the symbolism of leaven as sin and how exposure to corrupting influences affects believers. Fr. Matthias then examines Peter's profession of faith, discussing the meaning of “the rock” on which the Church is built, contrasting Orthodox and Catholic interpretations, and clarifying the authority given to the apostles. He further unpacks Christ's teaching on discipleship, including the cost of self-denial, taking up the cross, and the promise of eternal life. The healing of the blind man in stages is also discussed as a metaphor for gradual spiritual enlightenment. Throughout, Fr. Matthias addresses key Gospel passages, the significance of sacraments, and the nature of Church authority, emphasizing the spiritual depth behind Christ's words and actions. Subscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhouston Follow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhouston Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhouston Visit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the harmony of the Gospels by examining Jesus' response to the Sadducees' challenge on resurrection and marriage in eternal life. He explains how Christ clarifies that earthly institutions like marriage do not continue in heaven, where believers are like angels, united in a spiritual community beyond exclusive earthly relationships. Fr. Matthias then unpacks the greatest commandments, emphasizing loving God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving one's neighbor as oneself. He highlights the connection between these commandments and Christian life, focusing on self-sacrificial love expressed through actions rather than emotions alone. Finally, he discusses Jesus' teaching on the Messiah's identity, revealing the divine nature of Christ as Lord and Son of David, drawing from Old Testament prophecies. Throughout, Fr. Matthias connects Scripture to practical faith, encouraging deeper understanding of resurrection, love, and Jesus' mission. Subscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhouston Follow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhouston Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhouston Visit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

Jesus silences the Sadducees by proving resurrection from the very books they accept, teaching that denying life after death is really a failure to believe Scripture and to grasp the power of God.

The Sadducees got God wrong. Can we get God wrong today? Pastor Derrick Lynch continues Part 3 of our Gospel of Luke series, "The Passion of Jesus", preaching from Luke 20:27-44. Notes in this sermon: Jesus confronts our assumptions Jesus clarifies the afterlife Jesus claims his authority Visit www.bluevalleychurch.org for more information about Blue Valley Church in Overland Park and Olathe, Kansas.

The Sadducees got God wrong. Can we get God wrong today? Pastor Micah Hayes continues Part 3 of our Gospel of Luke series, "The Passion of Jesus", preaching from Luke 20:27-44. Notes in this sermon: Jesus confronts our assumptions Jesus clarifies the afterlife Jesus claims his authority Visit www.bluevalleychurch.org for more information about Blue Valley Church in Overland Park and Olathe, Kansas.

Discussion Questions: Sermon Overview Receive the Christ and receive the resurrection.Digging Deeper    Read Luke 20:27-441. There are aspects of life in this broken world that can cause us to long for “the resurrection.”  What would be some of those things for you?   2. In this passage, Jesus is confronted by some “who deny that there is a resurrection.” (v. 27) There are some who do the same thing today.  How important is belief in the resurrection from the dead for true, biblical Christianity? Support your answer.  (Please read 1 Cor. 15:12-20, to see the apostle Paul's answer to this question.)3. This passage teaches us that human marriage will not be a part of the age to come in the new heavens and the new earth. How does that land on you?  4. Human marriage points beyond itself to the marriage of Christ and his bride, the church. Why is the marriage we will enjoy for all eternity something worth looking forward to?  In what ways will it be better than even the best of human marriages? 5. It is good to live with all our might while we do live, and it is good to eagerly long for the day when we enter our eternal home. What might it look like to live well now, and yet long with eager anticipation for the resurrection?  6. There are many today who (as did the Sadducees) think Jesus is little more than a “good teacher” (v. 28). Why is it not a viable option for us (or anyone else) to see Jesus as simply a good teacher (and nothing more)?  How might we respond to those who see Jesus this way?  7. What is Jesus' line of reasoning in support of the resurrection from “the passage about the bush” (v. 37)?    8. What is the significance for us that Jesus (“the Christ,” v. 41) is both David's son and David's Lord?   9. How might the truths from this passage help you grow in your love for Christ and in your pursuit of a life that is pleasing to him? Prayer

Friday, 30 January 2026   When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” Matthew 16:13   “And Jesus, having come to the allotments – Caesarea, the Phillipi, He entreated His disciples, saying, ‘Whom they say, the men, Me to be, the Son of Man?'” (CG).   In the previous verse, the disciples finally clued in to what Jesus was trying to teach them. His words about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees were speaking of their evil doctrine. Matthew now continues the narrative of their time after arriving on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, saying, “And Jesus, having come to the allotments – Caesarea, the Phillipi.”   A new word, Kaisareia, Caesarea, is introduced. It is derived from Kaisar, Caesar, a Latin word referring to the title of the Roman Emperor. Caesarea refers to two places in the area of Israel. The first is this location, Caesarea Philippi. Of this location, Albert Barnes says –   “There were two cities in Judea called Caesarea. One was situated on the borders of the Mediterranean (See the notes at Acts 8:40), and the other was the one mentioned here. This city was greatly enlarged and ornamented by Philip the tetrarch, son of Herod, and called Caesarea in honor of the Roman emperor, Tiberius Caesar. To distinguish it from the other Caesarea the name of Philip was added to it, and it was called Caesarea Philippi, or Caesarea of Philippi. It was situated in the boundaries of the tribe of Naphtali, at the foot of Mount Hermon.”   Having come to this general area, “He entreated His disciples, saying, ‘Whom they say, the men, Me to be, the Son of Man?'” Translations consider His words in one of two ways. One is “Whom do men say that I am? The Son of Man?”, or “Whom do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”   The latter is correct. Jesus has referred to Himself as the Son of Man nine times already, making this the tenth. Peter's answer will also show that He is not asking if people say He is the Son of Man. Rather, He is asking what He, the Son of Man, is called by others. He is preparing them for a great pronouncement by asking this probing question first.   Life application: Jesus came to His own country in Matthew 13:53-58. He was rejected by them. In Matthew 14:1-12, the account of the beheading of John the Baptist was given. That was followed by the feeding of the five thousand in Matthew 14:13-21.   Jesus then walked on the sea, as is recorded in Matthew 14:22-33. From there, they came to the area of Gennesaret, at which time He fully saved all who simply touched Him. In Matthew 15:1-20, it then noted the traditions of the Jews which Jesus condemned, explaining that what comes out of a man is what defiles, not what enters into him.   That was then followed by His journey to the allotments of Tyre and Sidon, where the faith of the Canaanite woman was noted, and her daughter was saved. After that, Jesus went around the Sea of Galilee to the eastern side of it. There, He healed many and eventually fed four thousand. After feeding them, they crossed the Galilee, coming to the region of Magdala.   While there, He was accosted by the Pharisees and Sadducees who looked for a sign from heaven. He told them no sign would be given but the sign of Jonah. Once that was complete, they once again crossed the Sea of Galilee to the eastern side, being instructed on the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Now in the account, they have remained on this eastern side and gone north to the area of Caesarea Philippi.   This crisscrossing of the land and the Sea of Galilee all has a purpose. Jesus' movements are being used as a walking instructional tool in what God is doing in redemptive history. It is good to stop and reconsider where He has gone and where He is at any given time. By considering these things, we can follow what God is doing in reconciling the world to Himself through Jesus.   Each area visited, each topographical marker that is mentioned, and each thing Jesus does is being woven into a marvelous tapestry for us to ponder and learn from. Keep paying attention to the details, both from a micro and macro viewpoint. God is telling us a story of humanity's long trek back to Him, and it is all centered on Jesus.   Lord God, it would make no sense for You to send Your Son into the world unless there was something to be gained from it. His life of trials and burdens, culminating in His cross and resurrection, tells us that there is a great plan that has been put in place to bring Your people to a place we cannot even imagine at this time. We are grateful to be on this journey because of Jesus! Thank You for the sure hope we possess. Amen.

Thursday, 29 January 2026   Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Matthew 16:12   “Then they comprehended that not He said to caution from the leaven – the bread, but from the teaching – the Pharisees and Sadducees” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus explicitly told the disciples that He didn't speak to them about bread, but about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. With His words spoken to them, the light bulb came on. Matthew says, “Then they comprehended.”   Jesus took the disciples through an instructional process to help them learn how to think clearly. Instead of just saying what He was talking about, He asked them questions that would help them to think through the matter.   With the questions complete, He then told them what He was talking about while still using the leaven metaphor. From there, they would have to make the final leap from the metaphor to the matter He was addressing, which was, “that not He said to caution from the leaven – the bread.”   They now know it isn't leaven of bread. Jesus told them He was referring to the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. As Pharisees and Sadducees are not loaves walking around, either leavened or unleavened, Jesus had to be referring to something else while using a metaphor.   With this understood, they were able to deduce that it wasn't really leaven He was addressing, “but from the teaching – the Pharisees and Sadducees.”   This is their lightbulb moment. Jesus has successfully schooled them on a matter while giving them a warning about that matter. What the Pharisees and Sadducees had asked from Jesus was hypocritical, wicked, and adulterous according to Jesus' words to them.   Understanding this, Jesus then let the disciples know that such people, who ask for signs when there are already signs galore to confirm what they had wanted, are false teachers. As false teaching comes from a sinful heart, their doctrine itself is sinful.   Jesus told the disciples to beware of their doctrine, meaning concerning the things of God, because the source of what they taught was corrupt. This is essentially the message Jesus conveys to them. It is somewhatone analogous to what He said to them earlier concerning false prophets –   “From their fruits you will recognize them. Not any, they gather from thorns a grape or from thistles figs? 17Thus, every good tree, it produces good fruit. And the rotten tree, it produces evil fruit. 18Not, it can, a good tree, bad fruit produce, nor a rotten tree good fruit produce. 19Every tree not producing good fruit, it is exscinded, and it is cast into fire. 20Hence, from their fruits you will know them.” Matthew 7:16-20   Life application: These leaders in Israel were to be obeyed in accordance with the law. Jesus will make this explicit in Matthew 23. However, the disciples were told to beware of what they taught, as it was an infection that would only lead people away from a sound relationship with God.   Nothing has changed with Israel's religious leaders since then. The rabbis teach what is contrary to what God has determined, meaning salvation by faith through grace, as is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is what God is doing. If they are teaching contrary to that, they are not teaching what God is doing.   This is such a sad situation for the people that many rabbis over the years have been proclaimed the Messiah. Today in Israel, there are billboards and banners along the highways proclaiming one person or another is the Messiah.   Until they get this right, as a nation, they will remain under the curse of the law. However, isn't this what has happened in Christian circles many times as well? Throughout church history, a litany of false teachers has claimed they were God's representative on earth.   There are people who have started aberrant cults and sects. There are those who claim the Messiah is alive today and he lives in the Philippines, Russia, Miami, and elsewhere. Why is this the way it is? It is because in both Israel and throughout the rest of the world, people don't take the time to learn the Bible.   In not knowing the Bible, we cannot know if what we are being told is true or not about what God is doing. All we have to lean on is what we are told and whatever discernment we possess. Unfortunately, quite often those who claim the “gift” of discernment are the ones lacking even a modicum of it.   It is important for us to read the Bible. It has been given to keep us from being led down the primrose path. Be sure to use wisdom, pick it up, and read it!   Lord God, You have said in Your word that there is a proper path leading to restoration with You. If there is a proper path, then not being on it will not lead to that restoration. Help us to be wise and discerning concerning such things. May we be willing to put in the effort necessary to hold fast to You alone by knowing how to do so through Your word. Amen.

Wednesday, 28 January 2026   How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Matthew 16:11   “How not you recollect that I spoke not concerning bread to you! Caution from the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus continued His reminders to the disciples concerning His miracles, specifically the giving of the bread to four thousand, which was followed by collecting seven large hampers of leftovers. Because of this, He incredulously asks, “How not you recollect that I spoke not concerning bread to you!”   He had multiplied bread to feed many thousands on two separate occasions. And more, there was enough bread left over that people could have grabbed a snack for the journey on the way. So why would He care about the disciples not bringing bread? He wouldn't. Something entirely different was on His mind. That is stated with the words, “Caution from the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”   There are two small changes in some of the texts –   How not you recollect that I spoke not concerning bread to you, but to caution from the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. How not you recollect that I spoke not concerning bread to you! Caution from the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.   Either way, the sense is understood. In the second example, there seems to be a bit of impatience implied in the response, something that would be completely understandable. Jesus' words in verse 6 said, “You behold, and you caution from the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”   Not getting the metaphorical nature of His words, they had assumed He was upset that they hadn't brought bread. But now, after reminding Him that He could multiply bread at will, He restates what He had originally said to them, if not a bit more impatiently. He wants them to contemplate the metaphor without His having to explicitly explain it.   Life application: What Jesus is doing is instructional. Instead of just outright telling the disciples what He means, He gives them a chance to think through the words. Teachers may do this in class.   Instead of saying what the answer to a problem is, they may restate it as a question. In doing this, it forces the students to think through what the teacher intends to say. Otherwise, the students may hear the information in one ear, and it will go right out the other.   However, when confronted with the chance to appear smart or refrain from looking uninformed, the question will cause each person to pay attention and contemplate what is on the teacher's mind.   An even more subtle approach is what Jesus did. He didn't ask a question. Instead, He said something intending for a metaphor to be considered, but knowing that probably wouldn't be understood at first.   Then, after seeing the frustration of the disciples, He takes time to explain why their thinking is askew, and then He restates the original question, implying a demand for them to think again about what they had originally considered.   Suppose a person who owns a bell factory is getting married. He walks into the company and says, “I hear bells ringing soon.” The employees may say, “We are working on the whole new line. They should be ready soon!”   But the owner repeats his original statement, “I hear bells ringing SOON.” By repeating the same thing, he is letting them know he didn't mean what they thought he meant. By adding stress, he asks them to reconsider the entire paradigm. Searching the recent past, they remember that the boss has been doting on Polly Pretty a lot lately.   Suddenly, the bells in their own minds ring clearly. The boss is talking about getting married. The metaphor is not only understood, but it has also been highlighted for them to joke about and reconsider in the years ahead. Jesus has used such a tool. That has now been reiterated to us in millions and millions of copies of the Bible for the past two thousand years.   We have learned, explicitly, what leaven is to be equated to when we read the Bible.   Lord God, we love how Your word instructs us. Again and again, teaching techniques are used that are intended to help us perfect our doctrine and also remember lessons that may otherwise escape our memories. But because of the way the word is laid out, we will remember many details as clearly as the ringing of a bell. Thank You for this. Amen.  

Tuesday, 27 January 2026   Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? Matthew 16:10   “Nor the seven loaves – the four thousand, and how many hampers you took?” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus reminded the disciples about the five loaves of the five thousand, asking them to recollect how many handbaskets they had taken up. He next reminds them of the second feeding of a multitude, saying, “Nor the seven loaves – the four thousand.”   If the chronology is as recorded by Matthew, this was a very recent event. It is recorded in Matthew 15:32-38, as the chapter closed out. Therefore, unless the events are not chronological, it has been an extremely short period of time since then.   They went to the area of Magdala, had an interaction with the Pharisees and Sadducees, and then they departed. Upon their departure to the other side, Jesus warned them about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The implication is that all of this was in a very short time span. And yet, Jesus is questioning them about what happened, as if they had completely forgotten. He continues with, “and how many hampers you took?”   The answer is seven hampers, meaning big basketfuls, of leftovers. How they could have forgotten that and worried about not having taken bread is a bit astonishing.   Life application: Despite being incredible that the disciples forgot the great thing Jesus did, how can we look down on them for having done so? Do we remember what Jesus did for us? He saved us from the power of sin and the hand of the devil.   One would think we would be constantly and eternally grateful for this. And yet, how often do we forget as we go through our daily lives? We may go back and do some of the stupid things we once did, or we may find some other thing that we never did before and pick up that habit.   Instead of living holy lives and honoring Him, we fail Him often. Imagine the words He would say to us! “Don't you remember the pit you were in? Don't you remember the joy of the day you first believed? How can it be that you have forgotten those things and have picked up the ways of the world again?”   The good news is, Jesus didn't say, “You guys can't be my disciples anymore. Your memory is short, and your level of understanding isn't up to par.” Rather, He continued to work with them despite their many faults and limitations. And He will continue to work through those He has saved throughout the ages.   We are fallible creatures doing an imperfect job in telling the world about the goodness of God in Christ. This is how Jesus has set things up, and it is how God is being glorified as the years pass. When people point their finger at you and say, “You aren't a good Christian because of XXX,” you can respond, “XXX is why I am a Christian. Jesus saved imperfect me. I understand my faults, and Jesus does too. We are in the process of getting me to be more like Him. That is why I need Jesus!”   If we were all perfected when we came to Christ, there would be no need for us to grow in Him. We wouldn't be dependent on Him for our walk. But just as the universe is being held together by the power of His word, we are continually being saved by the power of His all-sufficient atonement.   Thank God for Jesus Christ, who has accepted us and granted us eternal life. How great He is! Let us not forget the great thing He has done and is doing for us. Praise God for His goodness to us.   Lord God, thank You for the surety we possess because of Jesus. We are ever-unfaithful, and yet You are ever forgiving of it because You have saved us through the fully sufficient sacrifice of Jesus. Despite our faults and waywardness, we are Yours. Hallelujah! Hooray for Jesus! Amen.  

Ancient Roots of Life Ep 32In this episode of the Ancient Roots of Life and Wellness podcast, hosts JT and Josh delve into the intriguing genealogies found in Genesis, particularly focusing on the kings of Edom mentioned in Genesis 36. They discuss the implications of these genealogies, questioning the authorship of Genesis and whether Moses could have known about future kings in Israel, especially since he died before entering the Promised Land. The conversation shifts to the significance of the Septuagint and the Masoretic text, exploring how different translations can alter interpretations of biblical events. They also touch on the historical context of the Israelites and their relationship with surrounding nations, pondering the timeline of events leading to the establishment of kings in Israel and the implications of these narratives on modern beliefs about lineage and faith. In this episode, Josh and JT delve into the intriguing connections between ancient civilizations, pyramids, and their cultural significance. They discuss the retrofitting of Egyptian tombs and the possibility that pyramids served as altars for sun worship rather than mere burial sites. The conversation shifts to the architectural similarities between pyramids in the Americas and those in Egypt, suggesting a deeper connection between ancient cultures and their worship practices. They also explore the influence of lunar and solar worship in various civilizations, including the Sadducees and the Ottoman Empire, and how these beliefs have permeated modern interpretations of scripture. The discussion then transitions to the impact of color and frequency on health and well-being. Josh shares insights on the benefits of copper, its role in the body, and how it can influence pH levels and inflammation. They touch on the significance of colors in clothing and their psychological effects, as well as the importance of sound frequencies in promoting plant growth and overall health.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jt-s-mix-tape--6579902/support.Please support our sponsor Modern Roots Life: https://modernrootslife.com/?bg_ref=rVWsBoOfcFJESUS SAID THERE WOULD BE HATERS Shirts: https://jtfollowsjc.com/product-category/mens-shirts/WOMEN'S SHIRTS: https://jtfollowsjc.com/product-category/womens-shirts/JT's Hats: https://jtfollowsjc.com/product-category/hats/

ScriptureMatthew 22:34-40 (NIV)The Greatest Commandment34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 

Sunday, 25 January 2026   But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? Matthew 16:8   “And Jesus, having known, said to them, ‘Why – you deliberate in yourselves, little-faithed? Because you took no bread?'” (CG).   In the previous verse, the disciples reasoned that Jesus' words concerning the Pharisees and Sadducees were because they had taken no bread. Matthew continues the narrative with, “And Jesus, having known.”   Matthew doesn't say how He knew. Mark doesn't provide any extra info. He may have known their thoughts, reasoned it out by watching them, or He may have overheard them. Whatever transpired, He knew and “said to them, ‘Why – you deliberate in yourselves, little-faithed?'”   Notice how He didn't rebuke them for not reasoning the matter through, but for their lack of faith. In this case, the two do complement each other, but they are distinct enough to show where their true problem resided, which is a lack of faith.   They had failed to consider Jesus, what He had done, and the outcome of the things He did. He will explain this to them in the next few verses, but for now, this verse finishes with, “Because you took no bread?”   Jesus gets to the heart of their faith problem. They are worried that they failed to bring bread, not having taken the time to think through Jesus' words about leaven. If their faith in Jesus and His capabilities was properly directed and sufficiently strong, they would have either reasoned through what He was talking about or come and asked Him to explain things.   Life application: Jesus' words concerning faith are, at times, taken to unintended extremes. This is quite common among charismatic denominations. They make claims based on their supposed faith concerning healing, financial success, obtaining a goal, etc. They will even make claims about changing the weather, such as not being harmed by a hurricane, earthquake, tornado, etc.   As ridiculous as that may sound, it is as common as drumbeats on a Beatles album. This unbalanced faith-driven mentality is used to demonstrate a supposed superiority over others who don't make such claims, such as “You got sick because you are lacking faith” or “You didn't get the promotion you wanted because you lacked faith.”   This type of attitude demonstrates a lack of understanding of the true purpose of faith, and it dismisses many facts, both from a scriptural sense as well as from the perspective of how things work in the world.   Claiming something you want, like a financial breakthrough, is not a demonstration of faith. It is a self-centered attitude that does nothing to glorify God. The fact is that God uses troubles, trials, and hardships in our lives to mold us and instruct us.   It may be that our affliction is intended to lead others to a relationship with God or a right understanding of His word. When we have a desire, we should pray about it, knowing that God is fully capable of granting it, but we should also understand that He is not obligated to make it come about.   All people suffer loss. One cannot faith-claim away death from those around him. To blame God after our little demands aren't granted is also a nonsensical way of handling our relationship with Him.   If you sit down with people who have this faith-claim attitude and explore their knowledge of the Bible or doctrines that stem from the Bible, you will normally find that they are lacking in real biblical understanding.   Don't feel like your level of faith isn't what it should be based on such people. You will never win at that game. Rather, let your faith be directed to what is reasonable and in accord with the words of Scripture. With this attitude, you will have a proper balance in your relationship with God.   Lord God, help us to rightly direct our faith as we walk in this fallen world. It is true that faith can move mountains, but it is also true that You may not want us to move a particular mountain. Help our faith to be properly directed and motivated through the desire to glorify You. Amen.

Read OnlineWhen Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee… From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:12, 17When John the Baptist was arrested, his followers were likely overcome with fear and grief. The man they revered as a prophet, who fearlessly proclaimed the coming of the Messiah and called for repentance through baptism, had been imprisoned. John was arrested by Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, infamous for ordering the massacre of infants in Bethlehem. Like his father, Herod Antipas was ambitious and morally corrupt. As tetrarch of Galilee and Perea under Roman authority, Herod's political survival depended on maintaining Roman favor. He often used religion to secure legitimacy among the Jewish people, though his actions routinely violated Jewish law.Though nominally Jewish, the Herodian dynasty was of Idumean descent, tracing its lineage to Esau rather than Jacob. The Idumeans were forcibly converted to Judaism between 135–104 BC. While this history granted the Herods a claim to Jewish identity, their foreign lineage and collaboration with Rome made them unpopular with many Jews. Herod Antipas, like his father, prioritized political cunning and personal ambition over genuine adherence to Jewish law.When John the Baptist emerged on the scene, he proclaimed his message with fearless conviction. His central call was one of repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins, urging the people to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. Yet John did not shy away from addressing the moral and spiritual corruption of his time. He famously denounced the Pharisees and Sadducees as a “brood of vipers,” rebuking their hypocrisy and lack of genuine repentance. John also boldly condemned Herod Antipas for violating Jewish law by divorcing his wife and marrying Herodias, the wife of his half-brother, Philip. This marriage not only violated Mosaic Law but also reflected Herod's ambitions to consolidate power and status. John's fearless denunciation of sin, even among the powerful, ultimately led to his arrest and eventual martyrdom.This historical context surrounding John's arrest is crucial because it helps us understand God's providence—how He permits certain evils to occur in order to bring about a greater good. Jesus Himself later affirmed John's greatness, saying, “Among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11). If the Son of God declared John's greatness shortly after John's arrest, why didn't God miraculously free him from persecution? The answer lies in John's mission. He had fulfilled his primary role: preparing the way for the Lord, the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Once John's mission was complete, God permitted him to seal his testimony with his own blood, offering his life as a martyr for the Lord and for the Truth that sets all people free.Reflect today on John's arrest and consider how you might have reacted if you had been one of his disciples. From an earthly perspective, martyrdom is difficult to comprehend or accept, especially in our own lives or in the lives of those we love. Though John's arrest and subsequent martyrdom likely brought fear and grief to his disciples, shaking their sense of security, from an eternal perspective, John's martyrdom was his greatest act of witness. It fulfilled his mission by pointing his disciples—and all of us—toward the true Prophet and Messiah, Jesus Christ. John is forever glorified in Heaven, and in the end, that is all that truly matters. As we honor John's unwavering faith, seek to embrace God's permissive will in your own life. Even in the face of suffering or evil, trust that God, in His providence, can bring about a greater good if we surrender ourselves fully to Him.My provident and loving God, You permit evil to touch the lives of Your faithful followers, knowing that in Your perfect Wisdom, You can bring forth a greater good. Grant me the heart of a martyr, filled with courage and trust, whenever I face injustice in my life. Help me to unite my every trial to Yours, in imitation of Saint John the Baptist and Your own Passion and Death. Jesus, I trust in You.ImageSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Saturday, 24 January 2026   And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.” Matthew 16:7   “And they deliberated in themselves, saying, ‘Because not we took bread!'” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus said to the disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Because of Jesus' words, not understanding the metaphor He spoke to them, Matthew records, “And they deliberated in themselves.”   A new word, dialogizomai, to reckon thoroughly, is seen. When one reckons a matter, he deliberates. HELPS Word Studies says, “properly, go back-and-forth when evaluating, in a way that typically leads to a confused conclusion. The term implies one confused mind interacting with other confused minds, each further reinforcing the original confusion.”   This word is only found in the synoptic gospels. At times, such as in Luke 1:29, it signifies an internal pondering or musing over a situation. In this case, however, any internal musing spilled over into dialogue where they deliberated the words of Jesus, “saying, ‘Because not we took bread!'”   Not understanding Jesus' intent concerning His words about the Pharisees and Sadducees, they could only grasp at straws about what He meant. Eventually, they came to the faulty conclusion that He must be scolding them for not bringing bread. Thus, they assumed Jesus meant their shortsightedness would leave them hungry on their journey.   Life application: The definition concerning the word dialogizomai given by HELPS words studies spoke of a confused conclusion, which resulted from one confused mind interacting with other confused minds. Because they have started with the wrong premise, their conclusions will be faulty.   This pretty much sums up any rapture discussion board you may go to. People start with a faulty premise. In doing so, their analyses will always end with faulty conclusions. Jesus' last words to His disciples were based on a question they proposed to Him –   “Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, ‘Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' 7 And He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.'” Acts 1:6-8   Paul, when referring to the timing of the rapture, uses Jesus' words to explain end times matters –   “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1, 2   The Lord, through His word, has told us that we are simply not going to know when the rapture will take place. That is the end of the matter... well, unless you think you are smarter than God. And so people constantly and nauseatingly come up with a constant stream of predictions as to when the rapture will take place.   This has been going on for two thousand years. Eventually, some false prediction is bound to correspond to the day, merely because every day, someone has a false prediction about the rapture.   There will be no reward for “getting it right” by such a person. In fact, there will be no rewards for having wasted one's life sitting on rapture boards with other ill-informed people, deliberating a day that we are told we will not be able to identify. Instead, there will be many who stand before the Lord and have absolutely nothing of value to present to Him for the lives they lived.   It is even questionable if many of these rapture seekers are even saved. The best way to avoid coming to faulty conclusions because of debating with confused-minded people is to not bother debating with them.   Instead, read your Bible, study it carefully, and be ready to tell people about the goodness of God in Christ. This is what we have been tasked with, so be about that good business. The Lord will come when He comes. Let's leave that to Him.   Lord God, help us not to get caught up in sensationalism, predictions about things we are told we will not know, and focusing on the nothingness of useless banter about unproductive things. Instead, may our deliberations be based on what is sound, reasonable, and glorifying of You. Amen.

Will marriage exist in heaven? Why did Jesus say that people will "neither marry" nor be "given in marriage" in the resurrection?In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. Bernard examines Jesus' response to the Sadducees' question about marriage and the resurrection in Matthew 22:23–33. Dr. Bernard explains the theological significance of this passage and what it reveals about the nature of eternal life and the resurrection body.Dr. Bernard also thoughtfully explores what Scripture does—and does not—say about relationships in eternity, offering careful biblical insight along with informed reflection on how our connections may be transformed in the world to come.This episode provides a hopeful, Scripture-centered perspective for anyone seeking to understand Jesus' teaching on heaven, resurrection, and life everlasting.Visit PentecostalPublishing.com to shop Dr. Bernard's full catalog of published works. Enter promo code DKB10 at checkout to save 10 percent on your order.If you enjoy this podcast, leave a five-star rating and a review on iTunes or your preferred podcast platform. We also appreciate it when you share Apostolic Life in the 21st Century with family and friends.