Matthew 16:15-16

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

From Background Notes [BN] for the 28th & 1st written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Watching Jesus up-close, they are in the ideal position to assess Jesus’ genuineness, his lucid words, and his restorative power.

 

Matthew 16:14

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

From Background Notes [BN] for the 28th & 1st written by Pastor Bob Brown:

John the Baptist, without question, had been the most exciting development in Israel’s public life for a long time. He had all the marks of a prophet. Indeed, he had all the marks of looking like Elijah, who is also on the list!

Matthew 16:13

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

From Background Notes [BN] for the 28th & 1st written by Pastor Bob Brown:

At one level, Jesus is checking the opinion polls to discover public perceptions of his person and his work. He does this, not because...

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

From Background Notes [BN] for Feb 21st & 22nd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Note the key terms: “penetrates … dividing soul and spirit … judges … nothing hidden … everything uncovered … laid bare before His eyes.”

Psalm 139:19-20

If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty! They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name.

 

From Background Notes [BN] for Feb 21st & 22nd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

 

Such persons are without question viewed as evil, being unquestionably guilty of crimes against God and others.

 

Matthew 12:20-21

A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.”

From Background Notes [BN] for Feb 21st & 22nd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

We are “smoldering wicks,” and Lent knows this. The Lenten Jesus proclaims the justice of God, and that means God’s determination to make the world right again — a world that we know is terribly wrong.

 

Matthew 13:44

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."

From Background Notes [BN] for Feb 21st & 22nd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

The liturgical calendar is not a piece of legalistic structure which binds us against our wills to follow a certain path through time. Instead, celebrating the great feasts...