Once again, we see the spiritual blindness and hostility of the Pharisees. These religious men are so puffed up with their own righteousness that they would demand signs from the Son of God Himself. They cry, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign!”—as if Christ had not already healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, and preached the …

Let us tremble at knowing that nothing escapes the eyes of our Holy God. Every word shall be weighed. And yet, for those who are in Christ, this judgment is not unto condemnation but unto reward, for Christ has borne our guilt, even for every idle word. But for the unrepentant, the tongue that now accuses others shall, on that …

Christ now warns of the unpardonable sin—the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. This is not every doubt or blasphemous word, but a specific and settled rejection of God’s truth when it has been made known through the Spirit’s clear testimony. When a man, with full knowledge, calls the Spirit’s work demonic, he reveals a heart that is not only hostile …

Here is a picture of Christ; not as one who is weak, but one who is meek. He is full of mercy for theweak, the faint-hearted, and the broken – that is, those who are weary by their sin. He does not quench the smoking wick, but fans it into flame. He does not break those who arealready bending, but …

All knowledge, power, and revelation are entrusted to Christ. Jesus is the sole Mediator. “No one knows the Father except the Son and those he chooses to reveal him to…” The knowledge of God is obtained solely through the Son, and outside of Christ, there is nothing but blindness. Furthermore,the text says, “to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.” …

Christ declares that from the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. This does not mean that men can wrestle the Kingdom from God’s hands, but rather that true conversion always involves earnestness, spiritual struggle, and holy zeal. Salvation is not gained by sloth, but by …

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword…” Matthew 10:34 Jesus, heralded by angels as bringing peace (Luke 2:14), now claims he brings a sword. This is not a contradiction, but a clarification: Peace with God comes through Christ, but this often brings division with …

Pastor Michael Belch teaches from Matthew 9:35-38.

Matthew 9:27-34 intentionally contains a theological irony: the physically blind recognize Jesus as Messiah, while the religious leaders in Israel remain spiritually blind. In other words, these blind men see more than the sighted. Specifically, they see Jesus as the promised King from David’s lineage (2 Samuel 7; Isaiah 11). “Son of David” was an explicit messianic title. Lastly, their …

Jesus responds to the accusation of blasphemy by proving that he really does have the authority to forgive sins. He does this by presenting a question to his critics, “Which is easier to say: ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Get up and walk’?” In reality, it is much easier to “say” that a person’s sins are forgiven. But instantly and …