Author: Norm

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 21:18-22 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:22)At first glance, Jesus seems to lose His temper when He curses this fig tree.Yet I wonder, does He recognize that this is a permanently fruitless…

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 21:12-17 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves… The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them.” (Matthew 21:12,14)I am noticing the contrast in how Jesus…

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 21:1-11 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey” (Matthew 21:5)Matthew says that Jesus’s arrival on a donkey fulfills what Zechariah said.In Zechariah 9, he promises that the Lord will come to save the people.He will come…

“One of the most remarkable things about the Bible is that in it we find the narrative told from the perspective of the poor, the oppressed, the enslaved, the conquered, the occupied, the defeated. This is what makes it prophetic. We know that history is written by the winners. This is true—except in the case…

This week (May 5-11, 2025) we are focusing on Matthew 21. Pray for the Spirit of Jesus to speak to your heart. Watch the Bible Project video below (Part 2) to review the big picture. Read this chapter through a few times, with silent reflection. Make note of any words or sentences, thoughts or questions that arise….

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 20:29-34 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “What do you want me to do for you?” (Matthew 20:32)If Jesus asked me this question, how would I answer?Each day there might be more specific requests.My current daily prayer is for meaningful employment.It is not wrong to ask…

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 20 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you.” (Matthew 20:25-26)Jesus is contrasting His leadership style with the world’s.Though Jesus is Lord, He does…

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 20 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “You don’t know what you are asking.” (Matthew 20:22)James and John, and their mother, want to have the best seats.They want to rule with Jesus, and to be in charge over the others.Their motives may be pure, but they…

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 20 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “The Son of Man will be delivered over…” (Matthew 20:18-19)Why does Jesus refer to Himself in the third person, as ‘the Son of Man’?For the Jews, ‘the Son of Man’ was an important hope for God’s victory.Daniel had seen…

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 20 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “Are you envious because I am generous?” (Matthew 20:15)This parable reminds me of the older brother in the prodigal son (Luke 15).He was jealous for how the father eagerly welcomed back his brother.The father was being generous, motivated by love…