The signs of Jonah and the Queen of Sheba Matthew 12:38–42 The conflicts of Jesus 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 22 38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, …
Continue reading Opposition by legalism 6: An evil and adulterous generation
A tree is known by its fruit Matthew 12:33–37 The conflicts of Jesus 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 21 33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak …
Continue reading Opposition by legalism 5: By their Facebook status you will know them
Jesus and Satan Matthew 12:22–32 The conflicts of Jesus 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 20 22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of …
Continue reading Opposition through legalism 4: There is no compromise
God’s unlimited servant Matthew 12:15–21 The conflicts of Jesus 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 19 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. 15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all 16 and ordered them not to make him known. …
Continue reading Opposition through legalism 3: God’s chosen servant
It's not what is the Sabbath, it's WHO is the Sabbath Matthew 12:9–14 The conflicts of Jesus 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 18 9 He went on from there and entered their synagogue. 10 And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so …
Continue reading Opposition through legalism 2: The Sabbath is about rest
An opportunity missed? Holy Trinity Church, Huddersfield, Sunday 15th March 2020 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 17 I finished last week's blog about the church service with the quote from a worship song, ""I'm no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God." That has been a theme running through the week. …
Continue reading Are you ambitious enough, or too ambitious?
God loves you enough to take your sins away Matthew 12:1–8 The conflicts of Jesus 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 16 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck ears of corn and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they …
Continue reading Opposition through legalism 1: Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath
Jesus’ reaction to non-repentance is to offer repentance again Matthew 11:25–30 The conflicts of Jesus 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 15 25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, …
Continue reading Opposition by lack of repentance 2: Come to me and I will give you rest
Even the cows repented Matthew 11:20–24 The conflicts of Jesus 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 14 20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you …
Continue reading Opposition through lack of repentance 1: Galilean cities
Elijah and doubt: Why you will never get it right Matthew 11:13–18 The conflicts of Jesus 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 13 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to …
Continue reading Opposition through doubt part 2: When God fails to meet our expectations
Making an ass of myself 