Who is Truly Blessed?
Our world calls people blessed when they're successful, secure, admired and in control. In contrast, in his Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5), Jesus describes people who know their need before God, who grieve over what is wrong with the world and refuse to dominate others with their strength. These are the ones, Jesus says, who are truly blessed and whose reward will be great in heaven.
The Testing of God Reveals the Heart
The testing of God reveals the heart....but, of course, this sentence has a double meaning. Firstly, how will you test God — how will you find out if God is true and good and whether he loves you? But secondly, how will God test you — are you true, are you good and do you love him?
Do We Give to God What Is God's?
In Matt 22, Jesus is publicly questioned by the Pharisees, Herodians and Sadducees: questioning designed to trap him in his words, stir up division and diminish his authority and popularity. Jesus not only avoids their trap, but he exposes the assumptions beneath their questions in order to reveal deeper truths about God, our responsibilities in the world and our hope beyond death.
Come to the Wedding Feast
Who will be chosen by God to be part of his kingdom? In the parable of the wedding feast (Matt 22), Jesus teaches that God wants His kingdom to be full of joyful people and the invitation to come is offered freely, but we can't presume to attend on our own terms.