Jesus began a period of His ministry in which He spoke only in parables. His most famous of these is the Parable of the Sower. Most of us are familiar with this teaching, as we’ve likely heard it preached on many times. There is one verse that is probably less known in this account. In…
Posts Categorized: Sin
Genesis 39:3 – The Lord’s Favor
When bad things happen to us, we cry out with the age-old question, “Why me, Lord?” Perhaps we’ve served God well and faithfully and haven’t deviated from Him. It could even be said that we walked in His righteousness; we’ve lived and been upright in the Name of Christ. Then the roof caves in over…
Genesis 37:18 and Matthew 12:14 – Conspiracy
When the prophet tells us in Jeremiah 17:9 that “the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”, the truth he speaks is from of old, arising from the very first sin and the fall of man. Yet, many people don’t believe this about the human condition. They choose to…
Genesis 35:9-11 & Matthew 11:20-24 – Which God?
There’s a deep connection between Genesis 35:9-11 and Matthew 11:20-24. In Genesis we read: “God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him. And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.” So he called his name…
Matthew 10:25 – Rejecting Jesus
Upon Jesus calling His disciples, He soon sends them out to the towns and cities of Israel so as to gather her “lost sheep” (Matthew 10:6). He instructs the men to proclaim the Good News by telling everyone that “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:7). Jesus gives them the power and authority…
Genesis 28:8-9 – Rebellion’s Legacy
In today’s reading, along with several prior passages, we see the root of the everlasting animosity between the Jews and Arabs. Jacob with the help of his mother Rebekah deceived his father Isaac to receive the first-son blessings in place of his brother Esau (Genesis 27:36). Previously Jacob had negotiated with Esau and stolen his…