Jeremy R. Geerdes Posts

Matthew 25 presents three parables answering how believers live while awaiting Christ’s return. The wise prepare faithfully, stewards boldly invest what God entrusts, and the righteous love compassionately. Readiness is shown not by timing knowledge, but by loving God, trusting his character, and living obediently for his kingdom today always.

Herod the Great’s magnificent temple, under construction for decades, stood nearly complete during Jesus’ final visit. Yet Jesus foretold its destruction, fulfilled by Rome in 70 CE. This prophecy prompted questions about the end of the age and messianic expectations, reshaped by Christian understanding of Jesus.

Jesus’ critique of the scribes and Pharisees exposes the dangers of hypocrisy, pride, and external religion. True followers of Christ must respect authority but discern truth from error, pursue inward transformation, practice justice, mercy, and integrity, and lead with humility and compassion, pleading for others’ restoration rather than condemning them.

Jesus confronts religious leaders with parables, exposing their rejection of God’s invitation and their hypocrisy. He explains that God would provide righteousness, warns against flattery, and reframes allegiance through Caesar’s coin. He silences Sadducees and Pharisees, teaching resurrection, love of God and neighbor, and Messiah’s true identity, overturning legalism and misplaced expectations.

Growing up, my family would often camp on the shores of the Mississippi River or a Minnesota lake, and one of our favorite parts of camping was always the campfire. Every night, we would cook over the fire and then sit up to watch the flames dance in the dark, and every morning, the first […]

Matthew’s account of Jesus’ triumphal entry contrasts his kingdom with earthly power. Instead of overthrowing Rome, Jesus challenged corrupt religious practices, welcomed the marginalized, and redefined true fruitfulness as obedience, justice, and faith. Through parables and prophetic acts, he exposed leaders’ hypocrisy, warned against fruitlessness, and affirmed God’s ultimate authority.

Jesus taught that God’s grace gives the same eternal reward to all, regardless of timing or sacrifice. He foretold his coming death, exposed human misconceptions about power, and redefined leadership as humble service. Through compassionately healing the blind, he revealed his true identity and the radical nature of his kingdom.

During Holy Week, religious leaders tried to trap Jesus with theological questions, including a Sadducean challenge about levirate marriage in Matthew 22:23-33. Jesus exposed their misunderstanding of resurrection and God’s power, revealing that in His kingdom, relationships transcend earthly hierarchies—women will not be bound to subordination but share equal dignity.

Jesus’ ministry near the Jordan placed Him in the Roman region of Judea, though Matthew included areas east of the river traditionally belonging to Reuben. With priests living in nearby Jericho, Pharisees crossed over to test Him. Their intent reflected malicious temptation, echoing the very offenses Jesus warned against.

1        The disciples’ question, So who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?, was a natural outflow of the honor-shame culture in which they lived. In such a culture, people’s worth “was established through an elaborate system of valuing and devaluing.”[83] Consequently, every aspect of how one related to another person was governed by their status, and people […]