Jesus celebrates the Passover meal with his disciples. Far from being just a nice tradition that they do mindlessly, this meal carries with it a story; a story of God's salvation and evil's destruction, of suffering and joys, of triumphs and trials. What does it mean, then, for all of us to come to the table and partake of the same meal?

What gets Jesus' attention is whole-hearted devotion. Despite cultural pressures, criticism, and losing a valuable possession, the woman in Bethany takes the first step, pours it out, receives criticism, and is defended by Jesus. Her unreasonable devotion can disciple us all into seeking one thing: Jesus.

Jesus doesn't just care for the poor and marginalized, he identifies with them. In this passage, Jesus declares that whatever we do for the "least of these", we actually do to him! Listen in as we see God's heart for the poor across the pages of Scripture and reflect on the shocking words of Jesus.

Jesus continues his discourse to the disciples, this time pivoting to the timing of His return. Jesus' answer: no one knows! Instead of trying to figure out when Jesus is going to return, His disciples should be ready, lest they are taken away in judgment. So how can I be ready? Be responsible, wise, and caring.

Jesus sits with his disciples, on the Mount of Olives, and taps into the prophetic tradition of Isaiah and Daniel, quoting their poetic and cosmic language to describe the events about to happen: Jerusalem and the Temple will be destroyed because of the rebellion of God's people.

Immediately after leaving the temple, Jesus tells everyone it's going to be destroyed. Alarmed and confused, the disciples come up to him in private and ask him when these things will happen. Jesus gives them an answer in very dense imagery to tell them that Jerusalem will fall within the generation. His message to the disciples, and to us, is the same: don't be alarmed, endure, and bear witness.

In Matthew 23:25-39, Jesus uses symbols from the surrounding culture to reproach the Pharisees. These sharp words will be his last to the Pharisees and constitute his final visit to the temple before he is crucified. Jesus minces no words to warn of the dangers of self justification and external religion. He warns them to turn their attention from external purity to internal purity and from external life to internal life. But even these difficult words come from his deep love and are meant to draw them to repentance. Finally, Jesus declares His great love for Jerusalem and yearns for their freedom and protection. But they would not listen. This moving passage calls across the centuries declaring Jesus's love and desire to be our refuge. Is Jesus a threat to you or a refuge?

This section of Matthew 23 starts the Woes to the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus proclaims seven woes, each one calling out the hypocrisy and failings of the dead man-made religion the Pharisees advocated for. This week, we explore the first four woes of Jesus.

In Matthew 23, Jesus starts his rebuke of the religious leaders of his day. This chapter is filled with seven woes, oracles against the hypocrisy and performative religion of the Israelite leaders. However, this passage acts as a mirror in our lives and hearts. Before we can change the world, we must first follow Jesus' call to self-examination and humility. Listen in and reflect.