… your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Summary: “Why pray?” is a question with a million answers. We look at a few of them in today’s meditation.
Continue reading “Matthew 5: 8 — Why Pray?”Matthew 6: 9 — Should or Shall?
This, then, is how you should pray …
Summary: People “should” take a daily vitamin but not everyone does. We don’t die right away if we choose not to take one but there might be consequences. The Lord’s Prayer is the same. If we don’t use it, there could be consequences.
Continue reading “Matthew 6: 9 — Should or Shall?”Matthew 6: 9 — Give Us
This, then, is how you should pray …
Summary: In this meditation, we look at the second part of the Lord’s Prayer. Where the first part reminds us to acknowledge God, the second part focuses on our needs.
Continue reading “Matthew 6: 9 — Give Us”Matthew 6: 9 — Echos
This, then, is how you should pray …
Summary: Here we begin to take a look at the Lord’s Prayer. Why is it structured the way it is? Let’s begin to take a look.
Continue reading “Matthew 6: 9 — Echos”Matthew 6: 5 — How Not to Pray
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites…”
Summary: Knowing Jesus provides us with reasons to trust what he tells us. Knowing how to pray also requires knowing how not to pray.
Continue reading “Matthew 6: 5 — How Not to Pray”Matthew 7: 28-29 — Jesus’ Authority
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Summary: As we prepare to study the Lord’s Prayer, it is helpful to conclude our mediation on who is teaching us this prayer with a look at Jesus’ authority to teach.
Continue reading “Matthew 7: 28-29 — Jesus’ Authority”Matthew 5: 3-11 — The Model of Meek
Blessed are the meek …
Summary: Is Jesus really as “meek” as he preaches we should be? It turns out, the answer is “yes.”
Continue reading “Matthew 5: 3-11 — The Model of Meek”Matthew 5: 2 — Who is Jesus? Part VII
Priest
… and he began to teach them.
Summary: The priesthood of Jesus is a gargantuan topic that could fill volumes all by itself. In this short passage, we look at the historic covenants with God and Jesus’ role as priest.
Continue reading “Matthew 5: 2 — Who is Jesus? Part VII”Matthew 5: 2 — Who is Jesus? Part VI
Healer
… and he began to teach them.
Summary: Jesus demonstrates his authority over Creation in several ways. He has authority over nature, over the spiritual realm, over our physical health, and over death itself.
Continue reading “Matthew 5: 2 — Who is Jesus? Part VI”Matthew 5: 2 — Who is Jesus? Part V
Brother
… and he began to teach them.
Summary: The word “brother” carries a special meaning. A brother is different than a father. Understanding this difference helps us understand who Jesus is.
Continue reading “Matthew 5: 2 — Who is Jesus? Part V”