Today we are going to look at the relationship between a rabbi and his followers. Schools were associated with the local synagogue in first century Galilee. Apparently, each community would hire [...]
The term rabbi in the time of Jesus did not necessarily refer to a specific office or occupation. That would be true only after the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D. Instead, rabbi was [...]
On Day 14 we talked about students who finished Beth Sefer either continued their training in Beth Midrash or went to learn the family trade. After completing Beth Midrash, a student either [...]
On Day 15, we learned that one thing that was common with the rabbis was that they would travel from place to place and visit local synagogues. By the first century, a synagogue was found in most [...]
We have talked about how God had a plan and placed Jesus’ ministry in Galilee on the crossroads of the world, the Via Maras. As Matthew records the beginning of Jesus’ preaching ministry, we must [...]
Today we are going to look closely at Matthew 5:3. “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” Poor in spirit means not thinking more of yourself than your should. In Day 18, we said that we must realize [...]
Today we are going to look closely at Matthew 5:4. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” When we humble ourselves before God, and try to see ourselves as He sees us, we start [...]
The third beatitude from the Sermon on the Mount is found in Matthew 5:5. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Meekness refers to an inner attitude: a mind and heart that [...]
The fourth beatitude from the Sermon on the Mount is found in Matthew 5:6. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” It is hard for us to truly [...]
The fifth beatitude from the Sermon on the Mount is found in Matthew 5:7. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” If you were to ask people what showing mercy means, you might [...]