John Piper on Matthew 12:20: The Expansive Gentleness of Jesus The spirit of the ministry of Jesus is the spirit of tenderness with people who are broken and weak. Verse 20 is a beautiful stroke in the portrait of our Lord: “He will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick.” Picture an … More The Expansive Gentleness of Jesus – Dr. John Piper on Matthew 12:20
“For I am gentle … you shall find rest … and My load is light” (11:29b-30) J. Hampton Keathley, III , Th.M. comments at Bible.org: This, as far as I know, is the only place where the Lord tells us what His person is really like, but this description tells us why taking His yoke … More The Yoke of Jesus
From “The Question of John the Baptist” at bible.org, Allen Ross , Th.D., Ph.D. says: It is interesting that in each section there are quotations to answer the questions. The first question was John’s about Jesus, and Jesus answered it with a collection of quotations from the Book of Isaiah about what the Messiah should be … More Q & A with Jesus in Matthew 11:1-19
Hymn writer Civilla Martin writes: Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle—true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bed ridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable … More His Eye is on the Sparrow…and I know He watches me
John Piper encourages us from Matthew 10: Then Jesus adds one other ingredient to this argument for fearlessness: namely, verse 30: “Even the hairs of your head are all numbered.” God knows us minutely. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He has counted and named every hair, even though they are of little … More Ingredients for fearlessness and peace (Matthew 10:30)
As someone passionately active in missions (vvmi.org), I am still NOT on the frontlines. I experience the joys of being involved and seeing God at work, but I do not yet personally suffer any of the costs of frontier missions. John Piper explains the COSTS and the BLESSINGS of frontier missions, in his sermon, “I … More The Costs and Blessings of Frontier Missons…John Piper on Matthew 10
John Calvin, in the 16th century, said, Let us say something about fasting, because many, for want of knowing its usefulness, undervalue its necessity, and some reject it as almost superfluous; while, on the other hand where the use of it is not well understood, it easily degenerates into superstition. Holy and legitimate fasting is … More Calvin and Luther on Fasting (Matthew 9)
From Scripture Studies New Testament Study: Jesus declared His mission: “For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” This statement was surprising to the Pharisees. Presently, they expected the Messiah, I suppose, to come and pick out the righteous, beginning with themselves, and lead them into the throne room to rule the earth with … More Jesus Calls Sinners….Matthew 9
In my volunteer work with Vernacular Video Mission International (vvmi.org), we are seeking to partner with and equip ethnic Christians who proclaim the Gospel through video in their common language. One tool that is being used in many countries around the world is the Visual Bible, dubbed into the heart-language (vernacular) of the people in a … More Jesus Calms the Storm- from the Visual Bible
In his sermon, “The Dangers of Following Jesus,” John Piper says: The days will soon be gone, if they aren’t already, when you can assume that it is safe to follow Jesus—to stand for his majesty and his commandments. So I have been thinking much about whether I am willing to pay the price. And … More Following Jesus- safe? John Piper on Matthew 8:14-22
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 