(The Teachings of Jesus)
The Book of Matthew is one of the four Gospels. There are many lessons to learn from it, but in this teaching we will look at the most important ones that will help you in your reading and understanding of Scripture.
Apart from the events and miracles that Jesus performed, we also know that the Lord taught. And it is in His teachings that we find the heart of discipleship.
In His ministry, His teachings can be divided into two parts:
In this study, we shall focus on the five major sermons recorded in the Book of Matthew.
Before looking at them in detail, let us understand what the word “sermon” means. A sermon is a teaching or discourse given by Jesus on a particular subject — a continuous talk by the Lord to emphasize a specific truth.
Now, let’s look at the message of each sermon.
(The Character and Conduct of a Christian) — Matthew 5–7
This was the time when Jesus went up the mountain, and His disciples followed Him. There He began to teach them many things.
The main focus of this sermon was to teach the right conduct of a Christian — a life that pleases God.
He began by saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” and continued with “Blessed are the meek, the merciful, the peacemakers, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,” and so on.
He also taught about:
These are teachings that every believer should read and meditate on daily.
The reason is this — these were not just words Jesus spoke; they were the very life He lived. Before He even began His public ministry, His life already reflected what He taught.
So, if we desire to walk like Christ, we must practice what is written in Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7. It is not enough to sing, “I want to be like You, Lord,” if we do not live as He lived.
(Matthew 10)
In this sermon, Jesus called His disciples and began to instruct them on how to preach when He would send them out.
He told them about:
If you are a worker in the vineyard of God, this sermon will strengthen you in perseverance and obedience. Every believer is called to make disciples.
Therefore, study this chapter carefully — it will equip you to serve faithfully as a messenger of Christ.
(Matthew 13)
This sermon reveals the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus used parables to explain these truths.
Whenever the Bible mentions the Kingdom of Heaven, it points to Jesus Himself and His redemptive work on earth (Luke 4:18–19).
In this chapter, Jesus gave seven major parables, including:
Each parable reveals the greatness and value of the Kingdom of God.
For example, a person who finds the Kingdom of Heaven becomes like one who finds a precious treasure or a pearl of great value — willing to give up everything else for it.
If you study these parables carefully, you will see the worth of following Christ, and you will desire to hold firmly to the Kingdom of God above all else.
(Matthew 18)
This sermon focuses on how believers — the Church — should relate to one another.
It emphasizes:
Jesus illustrated this by telling the story of a shepherd who left ninety-nine sheep to find the one that was lost.
He also taught about forgiving “seventy times seven” and told the parable of the servant who was forgiven a great debt but refused to forgive another who owed him little.
This sermon also gives instructions on church discipline and the proper way to correct a fellow believer.
As you read it, you will understand the spirit of brotherly love and unity that God desires in His Church.
(Matthew 24)
This sermon is about the events of the last days and the return of Jesus Christ.
Jesus explained the signs of the end — moral decay, false prophets, wars, natural disasters, and great tribulation.
He warned about deception and urged His followers to stay alert and ready, saying:
“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” — Matthew 24:42
This sermon is especially important today, because we are living in the last of the last days. Many of the signs Jesus spoke about have already been fulfilled.
Ask yourself — Am I ready for His coming?
When you understand these five sermons, you will gain a deep knowledge of the message of Matthew’s Gospel. Read them repeatedly and meditate on them — they are the foundation of a believer’s life.
There was a reason the Lord chose to speak these teachings at length — because they are the core of discipleship.
May the Lord bless you as you study and live by His Word.
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(Amos 5:23)
“Take away from Me the noise of your songs; for I will not hear the melody of your harps.” — Amos 5:23
The answer is No! Our God delights in songs of praise. The Bible says:
“But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.” — Psalm 22:3
So, if God delights in praise, why does He say, “Take away from Me the noise of your songs”? It is because not all songs are pleasing to Him. There are songs that, though they sound beautiful to human ears, are mere noise before God.
Let us see the types of songs that become noise to the Lord.
These are songs sung loudly and passionately, yet the life of the singer does not reflect what they sing. Their speech, dressing, behavior, and secret life contradict the words of the song.
When such a person stands before God to sing songs of worship—whether the song is their own or someone else’s—it becomes noise before the Lord. Such singing is sin, because God looks beyond the voice—He looks at the heart and the life behind the song.
There are songs that sound so similar to those of the world that, when someone hears them, they immediately associate them with a worldly tune they once heard elsewhere.
Songs of that kind are noise and even an abomination before God. Examples include songs that use beats from reggae, rap, pop, taarab, or other secular styles.
The Scripture calls such music “songs of foolishness.”
“That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of music, like David.” — Amos 6:5
As believers, we should never use worldly rhythms to sing to our holy God.
Worldly artists are those who sing about and glorify the things of this present world—and the world lies under the influence of Satan.
When someone joins such artists, who are used to praising the world or the devil, and gives them lyrics to sing for God, the result is noise and defilement before the Lord.
It does not matter how beautiful the song sounds, how inspiring the lyrics are, or how often God’s name is mentioned — if the singers themselves are not walking in the Spirit, that song does not bear fruit before God.
Songs that glorify God are those that carry the testimony of the Word—from the singer’s own life, to the lyrics, and even the melody. When such songs are sung, they exalt God and bless those who hear them.
May the Lord help us to offer Him songs that are pure, holy, and pleasing before His throne. May our worship rise as a sweet aroma before Him — not as noise, but as true praise from a sanctified heart.
Amen.
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In our Christian journey, we experience different seasons of grace. Early in our walk with God, He often carries us through challenges. Like a child learning to walk, we are helped, guided, and sometimes even carried. But just as a child eventually must learn to walk on their own, there comes a time in spiritual growth when God expects us to make decisions—wise, faithful decisions—on our own. This is a sign of maturity.
In Genesis 19, Lot and his family are rescued from Sodom. At first, they are physically taken by the hand and led out of danger by angels—an act of sheer grace and divine compassion.
“When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them.” —Genesis 19:16
But then, a shift happens. Once they are outside the city, they are given clear instructions:
“Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!” —Genesis 19:17
At this stage, the responsibility shifts to them. The grace that carried them is now calling them to act. Lot’s wife, however, looks back—an act of disobedience and longing for what God had condemned—and she turns into a pillar of salt.
This story illustrates that grace is not just about being saved; it’s also about obeying and growing. It moves from external help to internal responsibility.
In Revelation 3:14–22, Jesus rebukes the church of Laodicea for being lukewarm—not hot or cold. This is symbolic of many Christians today: we know the truth, we’ve heard the sermons, seen the miracles, and read the Word, but real inward transformation is lacking.
“So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” —Revelation 3:16
The danger is in thinking that spiritual knowledge is the same as spiritual growth. But grace in this season requires movement, not just memory. It’s not about how much you’ve heard, but how much you’ve obeyed.
Even Jesus stopped “pulling” people after a point. In John 6:67, when many disciples left, He turned to the Twelve and asked:
“You do not want to leave too, do you?” —John 6:67
In other words: You know enough now. What will you choose?
Hebrews 6 gives one of the strongest warnings in the New Testament:
“It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit… and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” —Hebrews 6:4–6
This passage is controversial but theologically clear: it warns against apostasy—not just making mistakes, but a complete turning away after fully knowing the truth. Such people aren’t ignorant; they’ve experienced the depth of God’s grace and still choose rebellion.
The writer uses an agricultural metaphor to explain:
“Land that drinks in the rain… and produces a crop… receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless… and in the end it will be burned.” —Hebrews 6:7–8
The message? God’s grace is real—but so is His judgment.
Many of us are still waiting to be “pushed” into prayer, reminded to go to church, urged to fast, or begged to avoid sin. But if you’ve already been led out of spiritual darkness—if you’ve tasted God’s goodness—it’s time to walk intentionally with Christ.
The New Testament urges us to “make your calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10). This means taking responsibility for your spiritual growth. Lukewarm Christianity doesn’t work in these last days. Jesus is returning—and the time to be serious is now.
“Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.” —Revelation 22:11
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” —Revelation 22:12
If you’ve already been saved, don’t long for the things God rescued you from. Don’t assume grace will always “pull” you along. This is the season of action.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses… let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” —Hebrews 12:1
You’re outside the city now. Run. Don’t look back.
Shalom.
Galatians 5:19–21
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
In the New Testament, the Greek word translated as “impurity” is akatharsia, which literally means “uncleanness” or “filthiness.” It refers to moral corruption, especially of a sexual nature. It goes beyond physical actions and includes impure thoughts, desires, and attitudes (see Matthew 5:28).
While all sin separates us from God (Romans 3:23), Scripture makes it clear that certain behaviors are especially defiling, described as “perversion” or “abomination” due to their deeply corrupt nature.
To better understand what kinds of behaviors qualify as this deep impurity, we can look at the Old Testament, where God provides clear examples:
“Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it. A woman must not present herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it; that is a perversion.”
“If a man has sexual relations with his daughter-in-law, both of them are to be put to death. What they have done is a perversion; their blood will be on their own heads.”
These verses deal with bestiality and incest, which God labels not just as sin but as “perversion” (Hebrew: tebel – meaning confusion or corruption of divine order). These acts violate both moral law and natural order, and thus are called “impurity” of the highest level.
Paul’s warning in Galatians is clear: “Those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:21). This is not just about individual acts, but about a lifestyle of unrepentant sin.
Jesus came to cleanse us from all impurity (1 John 1:9), but continued willful sin—especially of this severe kind—shows a heart that is not submitted to God (Hebrews 10:26-27). Impurity affects both our relationship with God and our eternal destiny.
The good news of the Gospel is that no sin is beyond God’s forgiveness. Paul himself reminds the church in Corinth:
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.“
Impurity, as mentioned in Galatians 5:19, includes all forms of moral and sexual corruption, especially those that pervert God’s design for human relationships. These sins not only defile the body but also grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). However, through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, anyone can be cleansed, forgiven, and restored.
May the Lord help us to pursue purity of heart, mind, and body, and to walk by the Spirit rather than the flesh..
Answer: To understand the significance of Tyrannus and his lecture hall, let’s read the key passage in context, using the **New King James Version (NKJV):
“And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God. But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul…” — Acts 19:8–11, NKJV
After arriving in Ephesus, Paul began his ministry by preaching in a local Jewish synagogue. His central message was about “the kingdom of God” (v. 8), which refers to the reign of God established through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (cf. Luke 4:43; Matthew 6:33). Paul remained there for three months, teaching and reasoning from the Scriptures (cf. Acts 17:2), trying to show that Jesus was the promised Messiah.
However, despite his efforts, many of the Jews hardened their hearts and began publicly maligning “the Way” — an early name for the Christian faith (cf. Acts 9:2; 22:4). As a result, Paul withdrew the disciples (i.e., the believers) and relocated his teaching ministry to the school (or lecture hall) of Tyrannus.
The Bible does not offer extensive detail about Tyrannus. His name is of Greek origin, and it is possible he was a Gentile teacher or philosopher, possibly a former rhetorician or professor. Many scholars believe that Paul used the lecture hall during the off-hours, perhaps in the heat of the day, when Greek philosophers typically paused their public teachings.
According to some early manuscripts (such as the Western Text), Paul taught from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., hours typically reserved for rest in Greco-Roman culture. This implies Paul was both strategic and tireless, possibly supporting himself through tentmaking in the mornings (cf. Acts 20:34; 1 Thessalonians 2:9), then teaching the gospel in the afternoon.
Tyrannus himself may have been a believer who allowed Paul to use his hall, much like Simon the tanner who hosted Peter in Acts 9:43. Whether he was a convert or simply sympathetic to Paul’s mission, his facility became a central hub for gospel expansion.
Paul’s transition from the synagogue to the hall of Tyrannus marks an important theological and missional shift. The Jewish synagogue, meant to be a place of learning and revelation, became a place of resistance. Their rejection of truth echoes Jesus’ own experience among His people (cf. John 1:11; Matthew 23:37).
By contrast, the lecture hall of a Gentile becomes the site of revival and massive gospel outreach. Over the next two years, Paul’s consistent teaching led to all who lived in Asia Minor (modern-day western Turkey) hearing the word of the Lord — both Jews and Greeks. The gospel was no longer limited to ethnic or religious boundaries. This is a powerful example of the universal scope of Christ’s mission (cf. Romans 1:16; Galatians 3:28).
This passage highlights a few key theological principles:
Even in modern churches or religious systems, tradition and pride can sometimes hinder the move of the Holy Spirit. People may resist the truth even when it is clearly presented. Leaders might uphold human customs over Scripture. Just like in Paul’s time, the gospel often bears more fruit outside the traditional walls—in homes, workplaces, universities, or online spaces.
Therefore, we are called to:
May God help us walk humbly in His truth and be vessels for the spread of His Word. Maran atha—Come, Lord Jesus!
Question: How can you tell if your understanding has been taken captive by the enemy? What are the signs?
Blessed be the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Before evaluating whether our understanding has been taken or influenced by spiritual darkness, we need to first understand what the Bible defines as true understanding.
Let’s look at Job 28:28
“And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
Biblically, true understanding is not just intellectual knowledge or common sense—it is moral and spiritual discernment. It’s the ability to recognize evil and to turn away from it. According to this verse, someone who does not or cannot separate themselves from evil lacks understanding. In a spiritual sense, their mind has been taken captive.
This echoes Romans 1:21
“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
When a person continues in sin and refuses to separate from evil, their thinking becomes futile and darkened—this is evidence of a captive or corrupted mind.
To “shun evil” (as Job 28:28 says) means more than resisting temptation in the moment—it means actively distancing yourself from sin and anything that leads to it.
Here are a few examples:
But if someone continually participates in or is comfortable around these things, it reveals that their spiritual discernment is either weak or taken over. They are no longer led by the Spirit of God but are operating under the influence of the ruler of darkness—Satan.
As Paul warns in 2 Corinthians 4:4
“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.”
This kind of spiritual blindness or confusion can affect anyone—regardless of position or title. Whether you’re a pastor, bishop, prophet, choir member, president, or a highly respected public figure—if you cannot depart from sin, your understanding has been taken captive.
As Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
Yes—but not by human effort alone. Restoration is only possible through God’s grace, beginning with genuine repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
Acts 3:19– “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.”
When we turn to Christ with sincere repentance, God gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit, who renews our minds and restores our ability to discern right from wrong.
Romans 12:2– “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God.”
The Holy Spirit enables us not just to resist sin but to hate and avoid it—to shun it as Job 28:28 describes. This is how we know our understanding is being restored.
If you find that you are unable—or unwilling—to distance yourself from sin, it may be a sign that your spiritual understanding has been compromised. But there is hope. Through repentance and surrender to Jesus Christ, your mind can be renewed, and your understanding restored.
Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
May the Lord bless you, open your eyes, and restore your understanding.
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We live in a world that values knowledge. From academic degrees to endless online information, we are constantly pushed to know more, learn more, and accomplish more. But here’s a deep and sobering question: What does God consider true wisdom or scholarship?
King Solomon, the wisest man to ever live (1 Kings 4:29-34), addressed this question after a lifetime of study and reflection. In the book of Ecclesiastes, written toward the end of his life, Solomon evaluates human pursuits—including the pursuit of knowledge—and comes to a powerful conclusion:
Ecclesiastes 12:12–13 “Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to [God’s words]. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”
This is not a rejection of learning or study—after all, Scripture calls us to grow in knowledge (Proverbs 4:7; 2 Peter 1:5–6). But Solomon’s point is that true wisdom is not just about accumulating information; it is rooted in a relationship with God. The Hebrew phrase translated “fear God” (yirat Elohim) refers to reverence, awe, submission, and worship. It’s an attitude of the heart that leads to obedience.
The Apostle Paul echoes this when he says:
1 Corinthians 8:1 “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.”
In other words, knowledge without love and humility can become dangerous. It can inflate the ego but fail to transform the soul. That’s why Solomon concludes: the ultimate goal is not intellectual mastery but spiritual surrender.
As Christians, we understand that the law and the prophets point to Christ (Matthew 5:17; Luke 24:27). Therefore, to “keep God’s commandments” in the New Covenant means to follow Jesus—obeying His teachings and walking in His love.
John 13:34–35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
This is not just a suggestion—it is the central command of the Christian life. Jesus is clear that love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10). To walk in love is to walk in obedience. And this love is not mere emotion—it’s sacrificial, selfless, Christlike love (agape).
Therefore, you may have read a thousand books, but if you haven’t learned how to love like Jesus, you’ve missed the most important lesson.
Today, many pursue education thinking it will lead to fulfillment, success, or even a deeper understanding of God. But Solomon warns that endless study can become wearisome, especially when it lacks a God-centered foundation. The New Testament affirms this:
2 Timothy 3:7 “…always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
True knowledge isn’t just mental—it’s relational. It involves knowing God personally through Jesus Christ (John 17:3). And this knowledge transforms our hearts and leads to practical obedience.
Even the apostle John, reflecting on the overwhelming richness of Jesus’ ministry, says:
John 21:25 “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”
That verse reminds us that the message of Christ is vast, yet accessible to all. Though the world couldn’t contain all the books about Him, His essential message is simple: believe, follow, and love.
A scholar, in the biblical sense, is not simply someone who knows much but someone who lives out God’s truth. Someone who doesn’t just study the Word but obeys it (James 1:22).
Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
God measures scholarship not by academic titles, but by a heart that fears Him and a life that reflects His character.
Don’t misunderstand—there is value in education and learning. Scripture encourages growth in wisdom and understanding. But never let your pursuit of knowledge replace your pursuit of Christ. As the saying goes, “You can be educated and still be lost.”
So here’s the challenge: Let’s not just be readers of the Word—let’s be doers. Let’s not just seek information—let’s seek transformation.
Put your greatest effort into living out the truths of the Bible, especially the command to love. That is the mark of a true disciple and, in God’s eyes, a true scholar.
James 3:13 “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
May God bless you as you grow not just in knowledge, but in obedience, love, and Christlike wisdom.
Question:
Matthew 21:19 says the fig tree withered immediately after Jesus cursed it:
“Immediately the fig tree withered away.”
But Mark 11:20 says the fig tree had withered the next day, not the same day it was cursed:
“Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.”
Which account is correct?
The Bible is internally consistent. Apparent contradictions often come from misunderstandings or reading the text without context (2 Timothy 3:16). Both Matthew and Mark present truthful accounts, just from different angles.
Jesus, hungry in the morning, sees a fig tree with leaves but no fruit. He curses it, saying no fruit will ever grow on it again. Then the tree immediately withers. The disciples marvel at how fast it happened.
This miracle illustrates Jesus’ authority over nature and symbolizes judgment against unfruitfulness (cf. John 15:2). The immediate withering signifies God’s swift judgment on those who appear outwardly righteous (like the leafy but fruitless fig tree) but are spiritually barren.
Mark records that Jesus approached the tree but it was not the season for figs. After Jesus curses it, the disciples see it the next morning completely dried up.
Mark emphasizes the visible result of the curse appearing the following day, showing a natural progression—yet still miraculous because trees don’t usually wither overnight.
The Greek word translated as “immediately” (εὐθέως, euthéōs) can mean “soon after” or “without delay,” but not necessarily “within seconds.”
Consider Mark 1:28
“Immediately His fame spread throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.” It’s clear this took time, yet it’s described as “immediately” to express rapid spread, not instantaneous.
Similarly, the fig tree began to wither at Jesus’ spoken word (immediate spiritual effect), but the visible withering took until the next morning (natural timeline accelerated supernaturally).
Both Matthew and Mark give accurate accounts from different perspectives. The fig tree’s withering began immediately at Jesus’ word (spiritually and supernaturally), with the visible effects appearing the next day. There is no contradiction.
Do you accept Jesus’ authority in your life? The fig tree warns us about bearing spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). Jesus is coming soon (Revelation 22:20). Now is the time to believe and bear fruit that lasts.
Some people claim the Bible contradicts itself in the story of Jairus’ daughter. In Mark 5:23 and Luke 8:42, it says the daughter was at the point of death, but in Matthew 9:18, it says she was already dead. Which account is correct?
Answer: The Bible does not contradict itself. The difference is due to where each Gospel writer begins the narrative. Understanding the context and the inspired nature of Scripture helps clarify this.
Mark 5:23
“My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she may be healed and live.” Jairus approaches Jesus while his daughter is still alive but critically ill.
Mark 5:35-36
“Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Here, the daughter’s death is reported after Jairus seeks Jesus’ help.
Matthew 9:18
“Your daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.”
Matthew begins his account after the news of her death.
The Gospels are inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16) and therefore do not contradict each other. Each writer emphasizes different aspects of the story for their audience.
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”
Thus, both accounts describe the same event but focus on different moments within the story.
This passage powerfully reveals Jesus’ divine authority over life and death and calls us to faith in Him, even when situations seem hopeless.
If you have not yet accepted Jesus as your Savior, know that He invites you to receive Him today (Revelation 3:20). Baptism in His name (Acts 2:38) is the next step to receive forgiveness and the Holy Spirit.
This message is especially for women who desire favor—whether in marriage, relationships, or fulfilling their God-given purpose.
If you’re a woman hoping to be chosen by the right person or to step into divine destiny, there’s a powerful example in Esther. She stood out not because of outward beauty or wealth—but because of her inner character. Esther teaches us an important principle: favor is more about your heart than your appearance or possessions.
Many assume that being a virgin or having external beauty guarantees favor, especially in romantic relationships or marriage. But the book of Esther challenges that assumption.
“Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.” — Esther 2:17
There were many virgins brought before King Ahasuerus, but only Esther was chosen. This shows us that purity alone, while important, was not the only factor. Something deeper made Esther stand out.
When it was her turn to meet the king, Esther didn’t demand fancy items or elaborate adornments. Instead, she trusted the guidance of Hegai, the king’s attendant.
“When the turn came for Esther… she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch… suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her.” — Esther 2:15
This reveals a heart posture of humility and teachability. In 1 Peter 3:3–4, we are reminded of what God values in women:
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment… Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” — 1 Peter 3:3–4
Esther exemplified this “unfading beauty” that wins both human and divine favor.
Esther didn’t try to become someone else to win the king’s approval. She didn’t imitate others or exaggerate her appearance. She simply showed up as herself—with dignity, wisdom, and grace. She trusted that what God had placed within her was enough.
In today’s world, where many are pressured to change their looks, enhance their bodies, or constantly chase material things, Esther’s story reminds us: you don’t need to pretend or perform to be favored by God or others.
This is echoed in Proverbs 31:30
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
True favor comes from walking in your God-given identity and cultivating a heart that honors Him.
If you’re a young woman or wife longing for favor—don’t chase trends, attention, or possessions. Don’t let materialism define your worth. Instead, focus on growing in character, humility, and faith. Be content. Be teachable. Be real.
Favor follows those who are authentic, humble, and God-fearing.
Just like Esther, let your light shine from within—and trust God to place you where you belong.
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” — Psalm 37:4
May the Lord bless you with favor and grace, as you walk in the fullness of who He created you to be.