Matthew 13&14

If a good seed fails to germinate is it the fault of the seed? Of course not. The seed is potential new life. When it comes in contact with the soil, the soil becomes the incubator of new life. If the soil is rocky, the seed will not sprout. If it is shallow, no roots will form. The seed is fine. The sower's job is to cast the seed. He is not responsible for the results. Many seeds do not turn into crops. That is the nature of the nature of sowing and reaping. The seed that takes root produces much more than what was sown.
The feeding of the 5000 is the only miracle that appears in all four gospels. This is the first account.

Matthew 11 & 12

It is so easy to be misunderstood and misrepresented. John the Baptist needed some reassurance that Jesus was the real deal. After all, John was in prison because he was proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah. When Jesus was asked if He was for real, He didn't show His Messiah card. He just pointed to the results of His ministry. "Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see. The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor."" (11:4-5) Jesus seldom proclaimed Himself. He let His results speak. People could misinterpret His message, but they had to realize the reality of His miracles.

Matthew 9&10

It seems odd in our day and age that Jesus wasn't building a big organization to facilitate His ministry. He called people to follow Him. Then He sent them out. The issue wasn't and still isn't a lack of funds or organization. It was a lack of willing hearts who will give of themselves to share the Good News. "Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (9:37&38)

Matthew 7&8

Someone who reads Matthew honestly will have a difficult time understanding how we come to the place where Christians are characterized as hypocritical and judgmental. Jesus honors simple and strong faith in Him. He doesn't need us to make it complicated. He doesn't need us to make a big show out of serving Him. He is the Judge. He is the Healer. He is our Supply. He just wants us to rely on Him. "Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be as you believed it would."And his servant was healed at that very hour." (8:13)

Matthew 5&6

Take your time as you read these two chapters. Read them several times if you can. The Sermon on the Mount is more than just a good sermon or tips for a nice life. It sets a standard for life that cannot be attained by our own strength or character. The Law was incapable of bringing a person to the standard Jesus lays out. Only by submitting control of our lives to Jesus can we ever hope to stand before Him. The answer is not to say "No" to sin. The answer is to say "Yes" to Jesus.

Mathew 3&4

John the Baptist is an intriguing character. Born to tell people about the coming Messiah, his calling was to announce someone whose ministry would be greater than his. Jesus recognized and valued John's ministry and anointing by asking to be baptized by him. Jesus was fully man while on earth and relished the opportunity to be with others who were strong in faith. His temptation in the desert shows us the power of knowing God's Word and the effect of calling on it in the time of temptation. Jesus didn't try to defeat Satan's devices through His own will; He quoted the Word. "Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him." (4:11)

Matthew 1&2

Matthew is one of the 4 accounts of Jesus' life, or gospels. It was written for a Jewish audience to make the case that Jesus is the promised Messiah. It begins with a genealogy from Abraham to Joseph, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Matthew gives the details of Jesus' birth, including the visit of the "Three Kings" or wise men.

Don't get bogged down in the first chapter genealogy because there is much to be enjoyed in this wonderful book. "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet; "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"- which means, "God with us.""