<p><b>"and many knew him".  </b> They had met Jesus before, listened to His gracious words and teaching. Many would have witnessed His miracles and so when His boat drew into the shore they recognised Him and spread the word around. Once you have met Jesus there is no problem recognising Him again. His presence and ... Read more

<p><b>"and enjoy it".  </b> The whole world needs to know this! There is enjoyment, deep and lasting joy, in serving the Lord. It was so for the Children of Israel in the Old Testament and it is just so for the followers of Jesus in the New. To be a Christian and be miserable about ... Read more

<p><b>"they were astonished".  </b> The words of Jesus made the greatest impression though we can easily think His miracles made the greatest impact. Moses, Elijah and the prophets performed miracles but no-one spoke like Jesus. 'Astonishment' is the word Matthew uses to describe the reaction of the crowd. They heard the spoken word from God ... Read more

<p><b>"so that people are without excuse".  </b> An omniscient God knows what we are like. Ever since Adam and Eve, we have always had a reason, an excuse for our wrongdoing. We are quick to pass the blame when things go wrong. And we are no different with God. Adam even blamed God along with ... Read more

<p><b>"you are like unmarked graves" .  </b> This was Christ's indictment of the Pharisees. When trusted, they turned out to be traps! And those falling into those traps found escape difficult. All who care for others should take great pains not to abuse any trust or confidence placed in them. Not only is there need ... Read more

<p><b>"the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand".  </b> We may admire the all-conquering Nebuchadnezzar but must remember that the true victory is the Lord's. We may mourn the demise of Judah under Jehoiakim but know that it was God's judgment upon the nation. The reign of Jehoiakim was unhappy and his conduct ... Read more

<p><b>"Lydia … heard us".  </b> When God calls and you obey, you usually soon find out what He is about to do. Remember, it is God working in your life: you are not left on your own. Paul and his companions came to Europe for the first time. They had no planned course of action ... Read more

<p><b>"all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps".  </b> In Jesus' Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, all of them woke up and all trimmed their lamps, that is, they all attempted to be ready. There is a day coming when we shall all wake up - wake up to find there is ... Read more

<p><b>"I had nearly lost my foothold".  </b> The Psalmist tells us that he felt his feet slipping from under him when he considered the prosperity experienced by godless men. It seems that he listened to the evil suggestion that there was no point in following the Lord. This is his description of the wicked: Prosperous: ... Read more

<p><b>"but now he has become useful".  </b> The useless slave became a useful and dear brother. When we have something that is useless, we throw it away. There is no reason to keep it. It is of no use. In the same way, our sin has made us useless to God. Our relationship with Him ... Read more