Bible in a Year: Matthew
Wow, I blew through this gospel which has been my favorite thus far!! So many stories — and so many I now understand better from watching The Chosen! So many great stories of Jesus, his disciples and his work, faith and ministry. Some favorite stories that stayed with me:
The Baptism of Jesus on the Jordan by John the Baptist.
The Gathering of his disciples.
This I learned has even more meaning. At first glance he is taking on people with demons, issues or without faith. You’d think why not gather followers and believers? Later it is revealed and said in the Sheep parable that the lost sheep gets the attention and gets more attention than the 99 sheep that stayed in the field. The one that strays and is found (born again christian) is the prize.
All of the healings. Jesus heals so many of the sick, the blind, brought one back from the dead, the deaf, paralysis and more. He continued to show great power of his father to gain trust and faith that he is the one.
The SErmon on the Mount
I’ve now heard this a few times (via the Chosen) and it holds power.
The Lord's Prayer. He teaches us how to pray with the Lord’s Prayer.
Jesus calming the storm
Jesus walking on water. Again, depicted well in the Chosen series, Jesus at first scared the disciples in the boat but used this to show Peter his own Faith and helped him battle some things.
The Fig Tree. I liked this reading a lot but more so after Father Mike explained it further. It’s about bearing fruit (having faith). If living and thriving but without faith, it’s just like not living at all.
Peter declaring Jesus the Messiah. This was powerful even in the Chosen. Actually more so in the Chosen!
The Tax Collector. The calling of Matthew is about bringing Matthew into the light of the Lord and follow his faith that was left behind. I love this character in the Chosen as well.
The parables!
Of the Sower
Of the Weeds
of Mustard Seed and Yeast
of the Net
of the Hidden Treasure of the Pearl
Of the Two sons
The Last Supper. This is probably the most known part of the bible and visual representation of jesus outside of the crucifition.
Peter Disowns Jesus 3x.
The Crucifixion. This is such a sad part of the story. He did for our sins but was still human and hurt. Humans today as still just as ugly and able to do despicable things to others. Choosing Jesus to be put to death and another man, Barrabas who was a murderer, to be let free is just incredible. Also coincidentally, "Barrabas” also translates to "Son of the father." So the crowd chose the wrong son of the father to live.
The Resurrection. And of course, the beautiful story of him coming to life as he said he would!
Here is an exchange that I replayed a few times to better understand.
In Matthew 19:16–30, a wealthy man asks Jesus:
"Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
After discussing the commandments, the man says he has kept them. Jesus then tells him:
"If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
The man goes away sad because he has great wealth.
Jesus then tells His disciples:
"Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
(Matthew 19:23–24)
The disciples are shocked and ask:
"Who then can be saved?"
Jesus answers:
"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
(Matthew 19:26)
