Mike Blogs

Only the Romans had the power to execute convicted prisoners, which is why the Jerusalem leadership took Jesus to Pilate for judgment....

We are nearing the end of Jesus’ ordeal. Accusations are made, Jesus has no answer; or rather Jesus offers no answer. He knows what he is...

The unusual, perhaps even extra-judicial (as in a kangaroo court) proceedings unfold, but who is in charge? The Roman prefect, Pilate? He...

Let’s remember what Jesus was saying and doing as there is an abrupt shift into a new phase of this Passion Week.   “Then he came to the...

It is not difficult to figure out what is heavy on Jesus’ mind. The Passover meal has many layers, but Matthew chose to record mainly...

We come now to one of the foundational moments in our Christian tradition as well as a keystone to our beliefs about who Jesus is...

We left last week with a shocking turn of events. One of Jesus’ hand-picked disciples sneaks away to a secret meeting with religious...

26: 1a..   When Jesus had finished saying all these things, …  Where are we in the story? Which things was Jesus saying? This goes back...

Last week we read this prophecy with a parable only far enough to see what happened to the sheep. The sheep got a good report. How about...

If I had to pick the scariest scene in the Bible, it would not be from the Book of Revelation or from Daniel. It would be this parable....

This third parable is not about female bridesmaids but about male slaves. In some ways, it is reminiscent of the first parable which is...

At the end of the last chapter, Jesus told the first of what will be four consecutive parables to illustrate his points about coming...

Jesus has answered the question that the disciples asked about the destruction of the temple and the signs of these times; or, at least,...

In the first part of this chapter, Matthew has shown us how Jesus responded to the complex bundle of questions that the disciples asked....

When we begin a chapter, we always ask ourselves: Where are we in the story? What is the setting of this new story?   Matthew 19-20....

Oúaì, that’s the Greek word for ‘Woe’. Jesus pronounced seven ‘woes’ on the scribes and Pharisees. However, Matthew wrote in Greek, but...

Jesus has spoken directly to the crowds and the disciples. He warned the people about imitating the behavior of the scribes and Pharisees...

The questioning is over; now Jesus responds to the assault. Three years as a missionary to the natives of Galilee and Judea have given...

As I stated last week, chapters 21 and 22 are structured around a revolving cast of authorities who ask various questions that are meant...

22: 15-17.  Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the...