GOSPEL: Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35 When Peter asks about the limits of forgiveness, Jesus responds with a parable that suggests human forgiveness should mirror the unlimited mercy of God. 21Peter came and said to [Jesus], “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” 22Jesus said to...
GOSPEL The holy gospel according to Matthew the 18th chapter. Jesus offers practical advice to his disciples on how individuals—and the church as a whole—should go about restoring relationships when one member has sinned against another. [Jesus said to the disciples:] 15“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault...
Gospel: Matthew 16:21-28 After Peter confesses that Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (16:16), Jesus reveals the ultimate purpose of his ministry. These words prove hard to accept, even for a disciple whom Jesus has called a “rock.” 21From that time on, [after Peter confessed that Jesus was the Messiah,] Jesus began...
Gospel: Matthew 15:10-28 Jesus teaches his disciples that true purity is a matter of the heart rather than outward religious observances. Almost immediately, this teaching is tested when a woman considered to be a religious outsider approaches him for help. 10[Jesus] called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand:11it is not what...
Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33 Matthew’s gospel typically portrays Jesus’ disciples as people of “little faith,” who fail despite their best intentions. In this story, Matthew shows how Jesus comes to the disciples when they are in trouble and sustains them in their time of fear and doubt. 22[Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and...
Matthew 14:13-21 After John the Baptist is murdered, Jesus desires a time of solitude. Still, his compassion for others will not allow him to dismiss those who need him, and he is moved to perform one of his greatest miracles. 13Now when Jesus heard [about the beheading of John the Baptist], he withdrew from there in...
Gospel: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 Throughout Matthew’s gospel, Jesus and his disciples proclaim the good news that “the kingdom of heaven is near!” Here, Jesus offers several brief parables that explore the implications of this announcement for people’s lives. 31[Jesus] put before [the crowds] another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and...
Gospel: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Jesus tells a parable about the coexistence of good and evil in this world. God’s judgment will remove all evildoers and causes of sin, but not until the end of human history. 24[Jesus] put before [the crowds] another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his...
Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 In Matthew’s gospel, both Jesus and his disciples “sow the seed” of God’s word by proclaiming the good news that “the kingdom of heaven is near.” Now, in a memorable parable, Jesus explains why this good news produces different results in those who hear. 1That same day Jesus went out of...
Gospel: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Jesus chides people who find fault with both his ministry and that of John the Baptist. He thanks God that wisdom and intelligence are not needed to receive what God has to offer. [Jesus spoke to the crowd saying:] 16“To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting...
