Tag: New Testament

  • What Jesus Said. Part Two. Gospel According to Matthew.

    What Jesus Said. Part Two. Gospel According to Matthew.

    The First Words on the Hillside

    When Jesus walked up that Galilean hillside and began to speak, He wasn’t addressing religious insiders or spiritual elites. He was speaking to ordinary people — fishermen, labourers, parents, widows, the bruised, the curious, the sceptical. Some believed already. Some didn’t know what to believe. And some simply wanted to understand why this carpenter’s words carried such weight.

    Matthew records the very first extended block of Jesus’ public teaching in what we now call the Sermon on the Mount. These are not abstract theories. They are the first notes of a new kingdom — a kingdom Jesus said was breaking into the world through Him. And the opening lines, the Beatitudes, are Jesus’ own description of the kind of people God draws near to.

    What’s striking is how different His list is from what we might expect. Jesus does not begin with the strong, the sorted, the confident, or the spiritually polished. He begins with the ones we’d normally overlook.

    Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit

    Jesus’ first recorded words of teaching in Matthew are these: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3, ESV 2007). It is a stunning place to start. To be “poor in spirit” is not to walk around feeling worthless; it is to recognise our need. It’s the opposite of self-sufficiency. It’s the moment a person admits, even quietly, I can’t fix myself.

    For anyone who has ever felt spiritually out of their depth, unsure, doubtful, or painfully aware of their flaws, Jesus’ very first blessing lands like a lifeline: God’s kingdom belongs not to the impressive but to the honest seeker. The doorway to God is lower than our pride but wide enough for our need.

    Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

    “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4, ESV 2007).
    Jesus does not skip over the realities of life. He doesn’t pretend pain isn’t real. Instead, He honours those who carry loss, regret, disappointment, or grief — the kind of emotion we often try to hide.

    In mourning, we sometimes assume God is far away. Jesus says the opposite. Mourning opens us to divine comfort. And this comfort is not about pretending everything is fine. It is God’s presence holding us when everything is not fine. For the seeker who wonders whether God cares about human suffering, Jesus’ words stand as His own answer: He draws close to the broken-hearted.

    Blessed Are the Meek

    Meekness is one of the most misunderstood words in Scripture. It does not mean weak or passive. In the Bible, meekness is strength that refuses to turn into aggression. It is power under control — the posture of someone who trusts God more than their own ability to force an outcome.

    “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5, ESV 2007).

    We live in a world where the loudest are often rewarded and the quietest overlooked. But Jesus says the earth, the renewed, restored creation God will bring, belongs to those who choose gentleness over domination. It’s an upside-down kingdom where the humble stand tall.

    Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

    There is a hunger inside every human being that food cannot fill — a longing for things to be made right. We see injustice in the world, in our communities, even in ourselves, and something in us aches for goodness, fairness, wholeness.

    “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6, ESV 2007).

    Jesus affirms that this longing is not foolish; it is holy. And He promises satisfaction — not always immediately, not always in the ways we expect, but ultimately in Him. For believers, this becomes a deepening desire for God’s life to shape our own. For seekers, this longing is often the first sign that Jesus might be calling.

    Blessed Are the Merciful

    Mercy is costly. It means choosing forgiveness when resentment would be easier, compassion when judgment would feel justified. But Jesus says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7, ESV 2007).

    Mercy transforms relationships, softens conflict, and opens doors that bitterness slams shut. And the more we receive God’s mercy, the more able we become to extend it. Mercy is never wasted. Jesus promises that those who give it will experience it again — from God Himself.

    Blessed Are the Pure in Heart

    A pure heart is not a flawless one; it is a sincere one. It’s a heart not divided between pretending and reality. A heart that wants God more than it wants to appear spiritual.

    “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8, ESV 2007). People often say, “I wish I could see God more clearly.” Jesus gently answers, clarity grows in a heart that is willing to be open, honest, and undefended before Him. Purity brings vision. And the promise — “they shall see God” — is one of the most intimate invitations Jesus gives.

    Blessed Are the Peacemakers

    Finally, Jesus blesses the peacemakers — not the peacekeepers who simply avoid conflict, but the ones who step toward reconciliation.

    “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9, ESV 2007).

    To make peace is brave. It often requires listening when we’d rather argue, apologising when we’d rather defend ourselves, and seeking understanding when it would be easier to walk away. But this kind of work reflects God’s own heart. When we make peace, Jesus says we resemble our Father.

    Hearing Jesus for Ourselves

    The Beatitudes are not a list of spiritual achievements. They’re not a set of hoops to jump through. They are a portrait of the kinds of people Jesus blesses — the kinds of people He draws close to and calls His own.

    And here is the remarkable thing: these blessings are often found not in our strengths, but in our struggles. In our honesty. In our longing. In our weakness.

    For believers, this passage reminds us that Jesus meets us where we truly are, not where we wish we were. For seekers, it shows a Jesus who speaks directly to human experience — to grief, humility, longing, and hope — long before He ever asks anything of us.

    This is where Matthew’s Gospel begins its record of Jesus’ teaching. Not with demands, but with blessings. Not with religious systems, but with a new vision of life under God’s care.

    And if these are His first public words, then maybe they’re meant to slow us down and help us listen — really listen — to the One whose voice has reached the ends of the earth without ever needing a microphone.

    This the end of the series. If you want to know why read, Coming Clean. Total Transparency. https://istruthintheway.org/?p=1271

    Leave a comment

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • What Jesus Said. What Jesus Said. Compared to Today.

    What Jesus Said. What Jesus Said. Compared to Today.

    Before I ever believed any of this, I had a long list of questions. Jonah swallowed by a great fish. Really? Miracles, fallen angels, heaven, and hell – it all sounded like something from a storybook.

    But there was one thing I couldn’t shake off.

    A carpenter in a dusty corner of the Roman Empire told a dozen ordinary men that the message He was giving them would go out to the “uttermost part of the earth.” No internet, no phones, no email, no global postal system, and no social media campaigns. Just twelve confused men – and a promise.

    If I said in a canteen on site, “What I tell you twelve men is going to reach the four corners of the earth,” it wouldn’t make it past the lunch break. If it did, the story would be twisted beyond recognition by the time it got to the car park.

    A Modern Comparison Worth Thinking About.

    Today, with the entire internet at our fingertips, the most-followed person on any social platform is Cristiano Ronaldo — around 668 million followers, with every algorithm in the world pushing his face everywhere. Elon Musk sits on enormous platforms too. That’s what happens when you combine global media, smartphones, social networks, advertising, and a world obsessed with celebrities.

    And what do they get famous for?

    Kicking a ball.
    Posting a meme.
    Launching a car into space, allegedly.

    Nothing wrong with any of that, if that’s your thing, but let’s be honest — none of it is going to change the human heart or answer the biggest questions of life.

    Now compare that with Jesus.

    No internet.
    No cameras.
    No global media.
    No marketing budget.
    No private jets, PR teams, sponsorships, or stadium screens.

    Just a carpenter, twelve ordinary men, and a message.

    Ronaldo can reach 668 million people with a single photo because the entire digital world is built to amplify him.

    Jesus reached billions over two thousand years without any of it — and His words are still spreading today, without needing a single algorithm to help Him. If you gave Ronaldo, the entire internet and Jesus none of it…
    Jesus still wins by an ocean.
    And He said it would be that way long before His disciples even understood what He meant. Ronaldo has 668 million followers. Jesus has 2.3 billion today — without Instagram.

    What Did Jesus Actually Say?

    Jesus said things like this:

    “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…” (Matthew 28:19)

    “Ye shall be witnesses unto me… unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

    Two thousand years later, with all our modern tech and global platforms, no one has had the reach, staying power, and influence that this carpenter from Nazareth has had.

    When People Die.

    Normally when someone dies, their influence dies with them. Their friends remember them for a while, the story gets told once or twice, and then it fades.

    That’s not what happened with Jesus.

    The exact opposite happened. He was crucified, buried, and yet His words spread outwards like a shockwave that hasn’t stopped. Different empires have tried to stamp them out. Educated people have mocked them. False teachers have twisted them. But still, everywhere you go in the world, you find people reading, quoting, and living by the words of this carpenter.

    That was the thing that started to get under my skin. If His words really have reached the four corners of the earth just as He said – no technology, no PR, no TV, Internet, or  social media for thousands of years – then maybe I needed to stop being distracted for five minutes and actually listen to what He said.

    Not what religious people say about Him.
    Not what angry people on the internet say.

    Not the divided denominations, not middle-class congregations.
    Instead, listen to what Jesus Himself said.

    Why the Words of Jesus Still Matter.

    There’s something different about hearing a person speak for themselves. Many of us have heard the opinions, arguments, and complaints about Christianity, but surprisingly few have ever sat down and listened to Jesus’ actual words. And if what He said two thousand years ago is still shaping lives today – across cultures, languages, and continents – then maybe His voice deserves more than a passing glance.

    For seekers, this can feel risky. What if I get sucked into something I don’t believe? What if I can’t make sense of it? What if this whole thing is just a relic of childhood religion or cultural habit? Those are fair questions. They’re human questions. And they’re questions Jesus wasn’t afraid of. He never told people to switch off their minds or silence their doubts. He invited people to come close, to listen, to weigh what He said, and to see whether His words rang true.

    Believers, too, sometimes drift from the raw, simple power of Jesus’ teaching. We get tangled in rituals, debates, or the pressure to “have it all together.” Yet Jesus’ words cut through noise with a clarity that disarms both cynicism and pride. When He spoke, ordinary people leaned in. Some loved Him, some hated Him, some weren’t sure what to think. But no one shrugged.

    The Carpenter Who Spoke With Authority.

    When Jesus started speaking publicly, people noticed something unusual: He didn’t sound like anyone else. He didn’t quote endless authorities, build philosophical defences, or soften His claims. He spoke directly, personally, and with an authority that startled those listening.

    Even those who doubted Him couldn’t deny that something was happening. A movement formed, not because He built a brand or organised a strategy, but because His words met people where they were and cut straight to the heart. They still do. Words about forgiveness that feels impossible, hope that survives darkness, truth that doesn’t shift with culture, and a God who steps toward us, not away from us.

    And if He really rose from the dead – if His words were not simply good advice but God’s voice breaking into human history – then every one of us has something at stake in listening.

    Where This Series Begins.

    So that’s what this series is about.

    We’re going to walk through the words of Jesus – starting from the beginning of His public life – not as polished religion, but from the point of view of somebody who once thought, “How can any of this be true?”

    We’ll start where the Gospels start: with His baptism, His first public words, and the first time He begins to speak and tells people what God is really like, what’s wrong with us, and what He’s come to do about it.

    A Simple Invitation.

    If you’re curious, sceptical, hurt by church, or just unsure what to make of Jesus, you’re welcome to read along. You don’t have to agree with me. All I’d ask is this:

    Before you decide what to do with Christianity, take a serious look at what Jesus actually said.

    Because if a carpenter’s words really did travel to the ends of the earth without technology, campaigns – perhaps those words deserve a fresh hearing today.

    Part One coming soon.

    Leave a comment

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • The Great Unfolding: Matthew Part 2 of 7.

    The Great Unfolding: Matthew Part 2 of 7.

    The Great Unfolding: How Jesus Fulfils God’s Ancient Promises.

    Have you ever picked up a book and felt like you started in the middle? The characters have histories you don’t know, and events are unfolding based on a backstory you missed. For many, opening the New Testament can feel like this. A man named Jesus of Nazareth appears, and the world is never the same. But where did He come from? Was His arrival a sudden, unexpected event, or was it the long-awaited climax of a story that began thousands of years before?

    The Gospel of Matthew answers this with a resounding declaration: Jesus did not appear in a vacuum. He is the stunning fulfilment of a story God began telling in the very first pages of the Old Testament. This post, the second in the series “The King and His Kingdom,” explores how Matthew builds a powerful bridge between the Old and New Testaments. We will see that Jesus is the ultimate answer to the hopes, the laws, and the prophecies of God’s ancient people. He is not the start of a new story, but the glorious chapter for which the entire world had been waiting.

    A Royal Tapestry Woven Through Time.

    Matthew begins his Gospel not with a miracle or a sermon, but with a list of names. The genealogy in Matthew 1:1–17 can seem dense, perhaps even skippable. Yet, in this careful tracing of ancestry, Matthew is making one of the most profound claims in history. He opens with, “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” In one sentence, he connects Jesus to the two most significant figures in Israel’s history.

    This is not just a family tree; it is a royal and covenantal lineage. By linking Jesus to Abraham, Matthew asserts that Jesus is the ultimate heir to the covenant promise God made to Abraham—that through his offspring, all the nations of the earth would be blessed. By linking Jesus to David, Matthew declares that Jesus is the long-awaited King, the rightful heir to the throne of Israel, the Messiah who would reign forever.

    The forty-two generations listed are a testament to God’s faithfulness through centuries of victory, failure, exile, and silence. Each name is a stitch in a divine tapestry, a story of God preserving a specific lineage for a singular purpose. This list demonstrates that Jesus’s arrival wasn’t an accident of history. It was a divine appointment, meticulously planned and sovereignly guided from the very beginning. This unbroken line is the first and most foundational plank in the bridge between the Testaments, establishing Jesus not as a rogue teacher, but as the legitimate, long-promised King.

    Whispers of Prophecy, Now a Resounding Voice.

    If the genealogy is the structural foundation of the bridge, the fulfilment of prophecy is its unbreakable support. Throughout the opening chapters of his Gospel, Matthew repeatedly uses a powerful phrase: “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet.” He is showing his readers that the key events of Jesus’s birth and early life were not random. They were, in fact, the echoes of ancient prophetic words coming to pass with breathtaking accuracy.

    Consider the evidence Matthew presents. The miraculous conception of Jesus is shown to be the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel” (Matthew 1:22–23). When the wise men seek the newborn king, the scribes know exactly where to direct them, quoting the prophet Micah: “in Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet” (Matthew 2:4–5).

    The pattern continues with astonishing consistency. The family’s flight to Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath is not merely a desperate act of survival; it is the fulfilment of Hosea’s words, “Out of Egypt I called My Son” (Matthew 2:15). Even the horrific tragedy of the slaughter of innocent children in Bethlehem was foreseen, as Matthew notes, “Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet” (Matthew 2:17). Finally, the family’s decision to settle in the obscure town of Nazareth brings to pass what was “spoken by the prophets, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene’” (Matthew 2:23).

    These are not isolated coincidences. Matthew is building an irrefutable case. He is demonstrating that God was so intimately involved in the details of the Messiah’s arrival that He announced the specifics centuries in advance through His chosen messengers. The entire Old Testament, in this light, becomes a map pointing to one specific person, in one specific place, at one specific time.

    Not to Abolish, but to Complete.

    Lest anyone misunderstand His purpose, Jesus Himself addresses His relationship to the Old Testament in one of the most important passages in all of Scripture. In the Sermon on the Mount, He declares, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfil” (Matthew 5:17).

    This statement is the key that unlocks the unity of the entire Bible. Jesus did not come to discard the Old Testament as something outdated or irrelevant. He came to be its very substance and goal. The moral law given to Moses revealed God’s holy character and the perfect standard of righteousness—a standard no one could perfectly keep. Jesus came and lived that perfect, sinless life, fulfilling the law’s demands in His own person. The sacrificial system, with its intricate rituals, pointed to the need for atonement for sin. Jesus became the ultimate and final sacrifice, fulfilling the purpose of every animal ever offered on the altar.

    The Prophets spoke of a coming King, a suffering servant, a righteous judge, and a merciful saviour. Jesus embodies all of these roles. He is the true and better King David, the prophet greater than Moses, the priest in the order of Melchizedek. He doesn’t erase the old story; He is its intended meaning. He makes sense of it all. He goes on to say that true righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:20), a righteousness that is impossible on our own but is made possible through Him—the very fulfilment of the Law.

    One Story, One King.

    From the first verse of his Gospel, Matthew masterfully demonstrates that the story of Jesus is the story of God’s faithfulness. The genealogy establishes His legal right to the throne. The fulfilled prophecies confirm His divine identity. His own words proclaim His ultimate purpose. Jesus is the bridge that connects God’s ancient promises with their glorious reality.

    For the believer, this truth provides an unshakable foundation for faith. Our hope is not in a recently invented philosophy, but in a God who makes promises and keeps them across the span of human history. It allows us to see the Bible not as a collection of disconnected books, but as one beautiful, cohesive, and perfect story of redemption, culminating in Christ.

    For the seeker, this presents a compelling truth. The Christian faith is deeply rooted in history and prophecy. The claims about Jesus are not made in a vacuum; they are presented as the intentional, sovereignly orchestrated climax of a story God set in motion at the dawn of time. He is the answer to the questions the Old Testament raises, the hope it looks forward to, and the King it promises. He is the great unfolding of God’s perfect plan.

    Coming Soon.

    Part 3: The Global Rescue Plan.

  • Walking in the Truth: A Study of 2 John— Walking in Truth in a World of Lies

    Walking in the Truth: A Study of 2 John— Walking in Truth in a World of Lies

    Introduction.

    In our journey through the New Testament, we come across the brief yet profound letter of 2 John. This letter, though short, is rich in theological insights and practical applications for our daily walk with Christ. In this blog post, we will delve into the core theme of 2 John, which is “walking in the truth.” We will explore the essential biblical passage, the main teaching point, and the key elements that support this theme.
    The phrase “the dear lady” or “the elect lady” is found in 2 John 1:1 and is used to address the recipient of the letter and her household, with interpretations suggesting she might have been a literal woman or a symbolic reference to a local church. The author, identified as “the Elder,” expresses love for this “lady” and her children, emphasizing their shared belief in the truth of God’s word.

    The Core Theme: Walking in the Truth.

    The core theme of 2 John is encapsulated in the phrase “walking in the truth.” This theme is introduced in the opening verses of the letter, where the elder commends the chosen lady for the commitment to the truth. The truth, as defined in this context, is the gospel of Jesus Christ and the teachings that flow from it.

    Key Elements and Theological Truths.

    1. The Essential Biblical Passage: The letter begins with a greeting that emphasizes truth and love. The elder writes, “The elder to the chosen lady, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth—because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever” (2 John 1:1-2). This passage sets the stage for the entire letter, highlighting the importance of truth in the life of a believer.
    2. The Main Teaching Point: The main teaching point of 2 John is the call to walk in the truth. The elder urges the recipients to continue in the teachings of Christ and to love one another. He writes, “And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands” (2 John 1:5-6). This teaching underscores the inseparable connection between truth and love in the Christian life.
    3. Supporting Scripture Verses: The elder warns against deceivers who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. He writes, “Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist” (2 John 1:7). This warning highlights the importance of holding fast to the truth and guarding against false teachings.
    4. Personal Stories and Analogies: The elder uses the analogy of walking to illustrate the Christian life. Just as walking requires continuous effort and direction, so does living in the truth. The elder’s personal concern for the recipients is evident in his desire to visit them and speak face-to-face, as he writes, “I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete” (2 John 1:12).

    Expanding on Key Points.

    1. Truth and Love: The elder’s emphasis on truth and love is a reminder that our faith is not just about intellectual assent but also about practical living. Walking in the truth means living out the teachings of Christ in our daily interactions, showing love and obedience to God’s commands.
    2. Guarding Against Deception: The warning against deceivers is a call to vigilance. In a world where false teachings abound, it is crucial for believers to be grounded in the truth of the gospel. This involves not only knowing the truth but also living it out and being discerning about what we accept as true.
    3. The Importance of Community: The elder’s desire to visit the recipients and speak face-to-face underscores the importance of Christian fellowship. In-person interactions provide opportunities for mutual encouragement, accountability, and the deepening of relationships within the body of Christ.

    Conclusion.

    In conclusion, 2 John calls us to walk in the truth, a journey that involves both knowing and living out the teachings of Christ. This walk is characterized by love, obedience, and vigilance against deception. As we strive to live in the truth, let us remember the elder’s words and seek to embody the truth in our daily lives, fostering genuine relationships within our Christian community.

    Final Thought.

    Walking in the truth is not a solitary endeavour but a communal journey. Let us encourage one another to stay true to the gospel, love one another deeply, and remain vigilant against false teachings. In doing so, we will experience the joy and completeness that comes from living in the truth.