By calling a tax collector as a disciple and eating a meal with his friends, Jesus sparks a debate: What sort of people should God's people associate with? His response uses metaphors about weddings, garments and wine to reframe the whole question. Rejecting simplistic binaries like righteous vs. sinners, fasting vs. feasting, or new vs. old, Jesus centers everything on his own person and work. Before we can decide which people to associate with, we must ask what sort of people we ourselves are, and how Jesus is working in our lives.
Company He Keeps
The Master and His Mission
February 12, 2023 • Walter Henegar • Matthew 9:9–17
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The Master and His Mission
The King Arrives
April 2, 2023 • Joe Parker • Matthew 21:1–11
Like Facebook or One Drive attempts to do, considering the evil, misery, and sadness we all face in our lives, this story of Jesus entering Jerusalem is meant to bring hope through seven pictures, pictures that give us subtle, but important details of God’s love for us.
Rupture and Reward
March 26, 2023 • Walter Henegar • Matthew 10:34–42
Following Jesus means our supreme allegiance belongs to him alone. This commitment can generate conflict in our relationships, even within our own families. However, it does not leave us alone with Jesus against the world. Rather, we express our allegiance to him by “receiving” or welcoming into relationship everyone who belongs to him, from great prophets to the “littlest” disciple. Jesus underscores this reality by promising to eternal reward for those who do so. These rewards are not earned by works but gifts, a grace upon grace.
Fears and Promises
March 19, 2023 • Walter Henegar • Matthew 10:26–33
What frees us from fear of people is the fear of God. Fear of people paralyzes us, whereas fear of God energizes us. Here Jesus names four particular fears and counters each with a powerful promise of God: 1. Fear of exposure with the promise of public vindication 2. Fear of death with the promise of bodily resurrection 3. Fear of meaningless suffering with the promise of providential care 4. Fear of abandonment with the promise of permanent belonging in his family Ultimately, Jesus pays infinitely more to associate with us than we ever pay to associate with him.