And He Walks With Me: Thoughts and comments on the Bible

In Matthew 9, Jesus heals a paralytic, demonstrating His authority to forgive sins, which challenges the scribes’ beliefs. He then calls Matthew, a tax collector, highlighting His mission to reach sinners. These actions reveal Jesus’ divine identity and His commitment to addressing both spiritual and physical needs.

This reflection on Matthew 8 explores Jesus’ compassionate healing of a leper, emphasizing His willingness to transcend societal norms by touching the marginalized. It highlights the immediate nature of the healing and discusses Jesus’ instruction for discretion to prevent misunderstandings about His mission. The piece underscores the profound impact of Jesus’ actions on both the individual and the broader community.

This reflection on Matthew 7 emphasizes self-examination before judging others, highlighting the importance of addressing one’s own faults to gain moral authority. It underscores God’s responsiveness to sincere requests aligned with His will and warns against false prophets, advocating for discernment based on their actions. The piece concludes by stressing the necessity of not only hearing but also acting upon Jesus’ teachings to build a solid foundation of faith.

​In this reflection on Matthew 6, the author emphasizes the importance of sincere devotion over outward displays of righteousness. They highlight Jesus’ teachings on prayer, encouraging believers to seek genuine connection with God rather than public recognition. The Lord’s Prayer is presented as a model, focusing on adoration, supplication, confession, and guidance. Additionally, the commentary underscores the communal aspect of faith, urging believers to embody holiness and align their actions with God’s will.

In Matthew 5, Jesus delivers the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing the Beatitudes, which highlight the blessings bestowed upon those who embody humility, mercy, and righteousness. He calls His followers to be the salt of the earth and light of the world, urging them to uphold and teach God’s commandments, surpassing the righteousness of the Pharisees. Jesus also addresses issues like anger, adultery, divorce, oaths, retaliation, and love for enemies, advocating for a deeper, heart-centered obedience to God’s law.

This reflection on Matthew 4 examines Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, emphasizing that while God allows testing, He does not tempt us directly. It highlights Jesus’ use of Scripture to counter Satan’s challenges and underscores the importance of knowing and applying God’s Word to resist spiritual attacks.

This reflection on Matthew 3 examines John the Baptist’s call for repentance, emphasizing a transformative change of mind leading to altered behavior. It highlights John’s simple lifestyle, contrasting with religious leaders’ hypocrisy, and underscores the significance of Jesus’ baptism, symbolizing the coming of the Holy Spirit and foreshadowing Pentecost.

This reflection on Matthew 2 explores the journey of the Magi, highlighting their likely origins as astrologers from Persia or Babylon. It contrasts their earnest search for the Messiah with the indifference of Jerusalem’s religious leaders. The narrative also delves into King Herod’s paranoia, the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt, and the tragic massacre in Bethlehem.

Matthew 1 emphasizes Jesus’ lineage, tracing His genealogy from Abraham through David to Joseph. This lineage includes notable women—Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba—highlighting God’s inclusive plan. The chapter underscores Jesus’ rightful place in Jewish history and prophecy, establishing His messianic credentials and divine purpose.

The book of Genesis the book is traditionally attributed to Moses, though it likely compiles earlier oral traditions and underwent later editorial updates. Written during Israel’s desert wanderings, it serves to preserve their heritage. Genesis encompasses various genres—history, genealogy, poetry—and addresses themes like creation, sin, and redemption.