Learning Zone

It is generally considered that the term “Maundy Thursday” came from the Latin version of the Bible. Most scholars consider that it came from the phrase “novum mandatum” in John 13v34 which in English is, “A new commandment I give you: Love one another.” It is also...

Do you have something nagging on your mind? Jesus heads up a mountain with his favourite three – Peter, James & John. We don’t know what the three were expecting, but it turns into a huge event. Jesus starts shining (we can only imagine) and then Elijah and Moses,...

While our government debates the issues of Brexit (!), Tony highlighted to me earlier in the week that in China, they are increasingly using financial rewards to encourage citizens to report religious meetings or evangelism which are not officially recognised by the...

This passage begins with the religious people challenging Jesus because his disciples are not following the religious tradition of hand-washing. Jesus points out that their emphasis on tradition causes them to act against what the Bible teaches. He calls them...

This account in Matthew is another popular bible story with children. The disciples head across the Lake of Galilee and a storm comes on. During the storm, Jesus comes to them on the water and the disciples freak out thinking they see a ghost. Jesus confirms who he is...

Jesus wanted some space alone to mourn the beheading of John, his second cousin and partner in the gospel (see last time). Just as he got to his “space”, the crowds found him (v13). What is Jesus to do? He chose to “have compassion on them and heal their sick” rather...

Last week, at the end of chapter 13, we saw how the people at Nazareth were offended by Jesus’ miracles. Today, we find that Herod is offended by John the Baptist’s statement of truth. 1)      Positively, Herod recognises and believes in miracles and even resurrection...

After Jesus’ parables about the kingdom which we have looked at these last weeks, Jesus moves to his hometown (Matthew 13v53-58). Their first response is inquisitive, “Where did he get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?”, but the story’s conclusion is an...

Jesus told yet another two parables in Matthew 13v47-52 concerning the “kingdom of heaven” which is best understood as the reign of God. In the first, a net is let down and catches many fish. While the net is in the water, it is impossible to separate the good from...

Jesus told another two parables in Matthew 13v44-45 concerning the “kingdom of heaven” which is best understood as the reign of God. In the first, when a man finds treasure hidden in a field, he hides it again and goes with joy to sell all he has to buy that...