Category Archives: kingdom of God

only Jesus: way to God’s coming city

Hebrews 13:1-19.  Jesus is the only one who has finished the race.  He now stands at the finish line, encouraging us to endure the race, so that we can get to the goal: the city that is to come (14).  … Continue reading

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only Jesus: first to finish God’s race

Hebrews 11:1-12:2.  The hall of faith contains a great cloud of witnesses.  The typical understanding of this idea – mentioned in 12:1 – is that these witnesses are now in heaven looking down at the rest of us as we … Continue reading

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only Jesus: rewarder of God’s faithful

  Hebrews 10:19-39.  Jesus is Lord of our future.  What he has done for us only makes sense in the light of what he will do.     As we see the day of his coming drawing near, it only … Continue reading

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only Jesus: builder of God’s house

Hebrews 3:1-6.  The author of Hebrews urges his Jewish brothers not to cling to the traditions associated with Moses and slip away from their confidence in Christ.  Just as some were tempted to get sidetracked on worshipping angels (chapters 1-2), … Continue reading

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responding to heaven’s king

Matthew 28.  To Matthew, the resurrection of Jesus was such an obvious reality that he didn’t even  describe it.  Instead, he focused on the various responses to the resurrection that first Easter morning.  The angel came down with such force … Continue reading

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children of hell and heaven’s king

Matthew 23.  Jesus pronounces judgment upon the religious professionals in Jerusalem and warns his disciples not to follow their hypocrisy.  With seven prophetic woes, he condemns them for seven sins:       They shut the kingdom of heaven in … Continue reading

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the source of heaven’s king

Matthew 21:28-22:14.  Jesus had been confronted by the chief priests and elders at Jerusalem. While he was teaching in the temple courts they demanded that he reveal the source of his ministry.  He would not tell them outright, but he … Continue reading

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humility and heaven’s king

Matthew 18.  The disciples had just asked a stupid question.  They wanted to know who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Jesus called a child, and presented him as an example to the disciples.  He told them that … Continue reading

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the future and heaven’s king

Matthew 13.  This chapter consists mostly of parables and is directed towards the crowds – not the disciples.  The disciples were privy to insider information that served as a key to interpreting the parables (10-17).  In two passages, Matthew records … Continue reading

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blasphemy and heaven’s king

Matthew 12.  The scribes and Pharisees condemn Jesus for what he is doing.  They do not realize it, but they are committing the unpardonable sin.  They are attacking the work that God is doing through his chosen servant (15-21), empowered … Continue reading

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