Later in chapter six we are told to "Seek first His kingdom..." Why? Because we want our needs met.

If we are seeking the kingdom of God, He will provide for us. We don't have to worry about anything.

Verses 1-6 of chapter 7 are famous. Every unbeliever out there knows "Do not judge so that you will not be judged" (NASB). This is a problem because the church has just handed this scripture over to them and let them take it. We have lost the meaning of this passage to the pagan world. This passage isn't even talking about unbelievers. He wouldn't need to say this about them. They are already "by nature, children of wrath." This is said for believers. Lets get our scripture back from the world! The point of this is not that we shouldn't point out sin to our brothers, its that we should examine ourselves first. Get it out of your own life and then you will be able to judge clearly.

Chapter 7 verses 15 through 23 does not refer to someone who was a Christian, did bad things and therefore was no longer a Christian. It is speaking about false prophets (preachers). A good prophet will produce good fruit and a false prophet will produce bad fruit.

In chapter 9 the Pharisees get on to Jesus and His disciples because they are eating with "tax collectors and sinners." Jesus' response to them is very interesting to me especially since it comes up again in a later chapter.

The NASB says "I desire compassion and not sacrifice." Jesus didn't want their false relgion. He wanted them to love their neighbor.

Does anyone else find it interesting that, in chapter 10 verse 1, Jesus gives power to the "twelve" to heal the sick and cast out demons? Who is in the twelve? Judas had this power? What do you make of that?

In chapter 11 Jesus calls John the Baptist "Elijah who was to come" (NASB). In Malachi, the coming of Elijah was associated with judgement. What judgement can John the Baptist be associated with. When was the great and terrible day of the Lord that was to accompany him?

In chapter 12 the Pharisees get on to Jesus and His disciples again. This time it was for "working" on the sabbath. Jesus gives them this response.

He gave them the same reply, only this time, He said "if you had known." The first time, He told them to "go learn what this means." They didn't find out. They didn't listen to what He said, so in a way, this is a double rebuke.

In chapter 12 verses 22 through 37 we see what happens when the Pharisees commit the "unpardonable sin." The Pharisees got mad because, as Jesus was casting out demons, the people began to recognize Him as the Messiah. They told the people that Jesus was casting out demons by the prince of demons. Jesus then basically told them they were stupid and said a "house divided against itself will not stand."

They saw the evidence. Knew that the conclusion they should have reached was the same as the people reached and then proceeded to call the Son of God the devil. They were saying that the power of God that had driven out demons was really the power of Satan at work. This, my friends, was their unforgivable blasphemy.

There are so many things in this passage of scripture. There are so many blogs, sermons, etc. that could come from this. Sadly I cannot cover it all. If there is anything that you wish I had addressed and did not, I will be glad to come back to it...just let me know. I think this will probably be a pattern...