January 23, 2026
“He answered, ‘Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.’” (Matthew 15:13 ESV). Matthew recorded that Jesus spoke these words after the Pharisees were offended by His teaching that true defilement comes from the heart, not from ignoring man-made traditions. The disciples had warned Jesus about the Pharisees’ reaction, likely
January 20, 2026
“But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them.’” (Matthew 13:29 ESV). Matthew recorded that Jesus told this parable to the crowds to explain the nature of the kingdom of heaven in the present age. Later, Jesus explained its meaning privately to His disciples (Matt. 13:36–43). He
January 19, 2026
“For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it” (Matthew 13:17 ESV). Matthew recorded Jesus’ words to His disciples as He explained the privilege they had in witnessing the kingdom of
January 18, 2026
“Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven” (Matthew 12:31 ESV). Matthew recorded Jesus’ warning to the crowds and especially to the Pharisees after they witnessed a clear work of God. They had witnessed the deliverance and healing of a demon-oppressed
January 15, 2026
“And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” (Matthew 11:6 ESV). Matthew recorded that Jesus spoke these words to the disciples of John the Baptist, who had come from prison with John’s honest question about whether Jesus truly was the One who was to come. John, who had boldly announced the Messiah
January 14, 2026
“‘Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves’” (Matthew 10:16 ESV). Matthew recorded that Jesus, speaking to His twelve disciples as He commissioned them for their first mission, warned them that they would be sent into a world often opposed to
January 10, 2026
SCRIPTURE: “He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him” (Matthew 8:15 ESV). OBSERVATION: In Matthew’s gospel, he recorded this quiet but powerful miracle in Peter’s home. After healing a leper and a centurion’s servant, Jesus entered Peter’s house and found his mother-in-law bedridden with a fever.
January 8, 2026
SCRIPTURE: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33 ESV). OBSERVATION: In Christ’s Sermon on the Mount, He addressed people weighed down by anxiety over everyday needs, like food, drink, and clothing. He taught that worry revealed misplaced priorities and a lack
January 3, 2026
SCRIPTURE “But he answered, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’” (Matthew 4:4 ESV). OBSERVATIONMatthew recorded that after forty days of fasting in the wilderness, Jesus was tempted by the devil to turn stones into bread. Jesus deliberately answered the temptation
January 2, 2026
SCRIPTURE “Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins” (Matthew 3:5–6 ESV). OBSERVATIONMatthew recorded that as John the Baptist preached a message of repentance, a remarkable movement took place among the people of