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I’m discovering that it’s hard to summarize each of these chapters because everything is interesting and important. But, if I go by that I’m just rewriting the whole chapter. So I am just going to focus on one or two things that really stand out to me at the time of reading. I’m sure these things will change from time to time depending on my stage of life and what I have going on. I suppose that’s why it’s important to read and reread. Anyway, I think that’s how I’m going to proceed for now, with just a few stand out points of interest.
Matthew 11
Jesus tells the people about John the Baptist, who was in prison at the time, and how he was the messenger to come before Jesus. In verse 11 Jesus says, “ Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” Noteworthy verses: 28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (NIV translation)
Matthew 12
In chapter 12 the Pharisees criticized Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. When Jesus entered the synagogue there was a man with a shriveled hand there. Jesus responded to the Pharisees. He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” (NIV translation) Later in the chapter a demon-possessed man was brought to Jesus. Jesus cast out the demons and the Pharisees accused him of working with Satan. In verses 35-37 Jesus said, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Matthew 13
There are a lot of parables covered in this chapter. They are: The Parable of the Sower, The Parable of the Weeds, The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast, The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl, and The Parable of the Net.
Matthew 14
What a chapter! Herod had John the Baptist beheaded. Jesus healed more sick and fed 5,000 men with five loaves and two fish. Later Jesus went off on a mountainside to pray and the disciples remained in the boat. Verses 25-31: Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Matthew 15
Jesus challenged the Pharisees about tradition. Because of her great faith, Jesus healed a Canaanite woman’s daughter that was demon-possessed. Jesus later went to a mountainside along the Sea of Galilee to teach and heal. He again fed thousands of men with just a few loaves and fishes.
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