Welcome curious minds to another deep dive. Hello.
Today we're journeying into, well, one of the
most foundational tests in Western history, the
book of Matthew. Absolutely. It's huge. Yeah,
this isn't just a collection of ancient stories.
It's a source of really profound spiritual significance.
Rich narrative unforgettable teachings and just
a sweeping account of dramatic events that has
shaped civilizations It's packed it really is
indeed our mission today. Well It's to go beyond
just retelling. We're here to extract the truly
important insights Offering you a concise yet
deep understanding of its key passages characters
and you know those monumental themes Think of
it as a short cut maybe to being genuinely well
-informed exactly uncovering surprising facts
and maybe even a few Aha moments about a life
that well continues to influence billions We're
gonna untack its intricate structure starting
with the ancient genealogies moving through world
-changing sermons and ultimately to those earth
-shattering events at the end So let's jump right
into this fascinating document. Let's do it We
begin right at the start with the book of the
generation of Jesus Christ What's striking here,
I think, is the almost architectural precision
of the genealogy. Very structured. Yeah, it's
broken down into three distinct sets of 14 generations.
Abraham to David, David to the Babylonian captivity,
and then from the captivity right up to Christ.
It's a very deliberate framing device, isn't
it? It absolutely is. This structured approach,
it immediately signals Matthew's intent. to highlight
specific historical progression and sort of a
sense of fulfillment. Right. And it culminates
with Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom Jesus
was born. This establishes a crucial earthly
connection, rooting Jesus firmly within Jewish
history and messianic expectation. Okay, here's
where the narrative takes a truly unexpected
turn. Mary is found to be pregnant through, well,
a miraculous divine conception of the Holy Ghost
before she and Joseph are officially united.
Yeah, that's quite the situation. And Joseph,
being described as a just man, a man of integrity,
and wanting to avoid public disgrace from Mary,
he considers quietly ending their engagement.
What a profound ethical dilemma for Joseph. I
mean, faced with a situation that just defies
conventional understanding. Right. He's planning
to act with quiet compassion. But then, a truly
pivotal moment occurs. An angel appears to him
in a dream. The dream intervention. Exactly.
Confirming the child's divine origin and instructing
him to name the son Jesus, explaining, for he
shall save his people from their sins. This angelic
message is presented as a direct fulfillment
of ancient prophecy, specifically referencing
Isaiah. Ah, the Immanuel prophecy. Precisely.
about a virgin giving birth to a son named Emmanuel,
meaning God with us. It immediately sets this
tone of divine purpose. So after Jesus' birth
in Bethlehem during the tumultuous reign of King
Herod... A difficult time. ...a group of wise
men from the east arrive, guided by a star. They're
seeking the K of the Jews. And when Herod hears
this, he's deeply troubled. Oh, deeply. And frankly,
all of Jerusalem is thrown into a state of alarm
with him, according to Matthew. The whole city's
buzzing. His concern is palpable. He consults
the chief priests and scribes who confirm Bethlehem
as the prophesied birthplace of Israel's governor
So Herod knows where to look now. Yes, but he
plays it cool He secretly meets the wise men
probes them about the star's appearance time
and Deceptively sends them to find the child
claiming he also wishes to worship him classic
Herod move right The star, however, leads them
directly to the house where they find and worship
the child, offering these precious symbolic gifts,
gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But here's a crucial
twist that really underscores the danger Jesus
faced right from birth. Yes. The wise men are
divinely warned in a dream not to return to Herod.
Ah. Another dream warning. Exactly. So they depart
by another route. This subtle act of obedience
to a divine message sets up an immediate threat
to the infant Jesus. Precisely. An angel promptly
warns Joseph, guess how? In a dream. You got
it. Warns him in a dream to flee to Egypt with
Mary and Jesus because Herod is determined to
kill the child. So they escape by night. They
do. Remaining in Egypt until Herod's death. This
swift flight and return is portrayed as fulfilling
another ancient prediction. Out of Egypt have
I called my son. It emphasizes that recurring
theme in Matthew, right? Jesus as the fulfillment
of Israel's story. Exactly. He's weaving it all
together. Herod's fury, though, at being outsmarted,
leads to a truly dark chapter. He orders the
massacre of all male children two years old and
under in Bethlehem and its surrounding areas.
A horrific act, just brutal. And Matthew presents
this as yet another prefigured event, fulfilling
the prophet Jeremiah's words about Rachel weeping
for her children. It's just tragedy layered on
prophecy. It is. After Herod's death, Joseph
is told again in a dream to return to Israel.
But he fears Herod's successor, Archelaus. Understandably.
And, divinely guided again, he settles in Nazareth
of Galilee, which fulfills another prophecy.
He shall be called a Nazarene. This constant
threat of prophecy is really a hallmark of Matthew's
narrative, isn't it? Absolutely. It's central
to his argument. So, from these early perilous
days, the narrative quickly shifts. The stage
is being set for Jesus' public ministry. Right.
Fast forward a bit. And we encounter John the
Baptist, a powerful and... Pretty eccentric figure
who appears in the Judean wilderness. Yeah, it's
memorable. Dramatically proclaiming, repent for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand. His appearance
alone is striking. Dressed in camel's hair, with
a leather belt eating locusts and wild honey.
He truly embodied the wilderness prophet look.
This vivid portrayal directly aligns with the
prophetic description from Isaiah who spoke of
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare
the way of the Lord. And he draws massive crowds.
Huge crowds. From Jerusalem and Al -Jadiyah,
baptizing them in the Jordan River as they openly
confess their sins. His unique and austere lifestyle
only magnified his prophetic authority. And he
doesn't shy away from confrontation either, famously
challenging the religious elite, the Pharisees
and Sadducees. Oh yeah, he calls them out. Calls
them a generation of vipers. Demands fruits consistent
with repentance, making it clear that lineage
or just outward religious observance alone wouldn't
cut it. No shortcuts with John. Right. He then
points to someone coming after him, mightier
than I, who will baptize not just with water
but with the Holy Spirit and with fire. It's
a powerful transition, isn't it? Setting the
stage perfectly. It really is. Then Jesus himself
comes from Galilee to be baptized by John. And
John initially hesitates. He does. feeling unworthy,
he initially objects. But Jesus explains it's
necessary to fulfill all righteousness basically,
to align with God's perfect plan. The moment
Jesus emerges from the water, something extraordinary
happens. The heavens open, the Spirit of God
descends like a dove. And a voice from heaven
declares, this is my beloved Son in whom I am
well pleased. This is a definitive public divine
affirmation of Jesus' identity and mission. Can't
get much clearer than that. You're kidding. But
what follows immediately after this profound
affirmation is equally significant, right? The
wilderness temptation. Yes. Jesus is led by the
Spirit into the wilderness, where he fasts for
40 days and 40 nights, a period of intense preparation.
40 days. That's intense. Extremely. And it's
followed by three very specific temptations from
the devil. Okay, what are they? The tempter challenges
Jesus on three fronts. First, Turn stones into
bread, appealing to his physical hunger. Make
sense after fasting. Second, cast himself from
the temple a test of ego and, you know, forcing
God's hand for protection. And third, worship
the devil in exchange for all the kingdoms of
the world, a direct bid for worldly power. Big
temptations. How does he respond? Each time,
Jesus powerfully rebuffs him. quoting scripture,
demonstrating unwavering reliance on God's word
over material provision, self -exultation, or
worldly dominion. So scripture is his weapon.
Essentially, yes. Angels then minister to him,
underscoring the spiritual victory. Okay, so
after hearing John the Baptist has been imprisoned.
A turning point. Jesus departs to Galilee and
begins his public ministry in Capernaum. And
Matthew highlights this move as fulfilling another
prophecy. He does. About Galilee of the Gentiles,
seeing a great light, His core message mirrors
John's, but with maybe a new emphasis. Repent
for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. It's here
now. Exactly. And that's when his core group
begins to form. He calls his first disciples,
Simon, who he later names Peter, and Andrew.
The fisherman. The fisherman, famously telling
them, follow me and I will make you fishers of
men. Such an iconic line. It is. And the immediate
impact is striking. They leave their nets instantly.
It's like that. Just like that. He then calls
James and John, who likewise leave their boat
and father. It speaks volumes about the compelling
nature of his call. Absolutely. So as Jesus travels
throughout Galilee, he's teaching, preaching,
healing all kinds of sickness. His fame spreads
like wildfire. Drawing immense crowds. He then
ascends a mountain and delivers what is arguably
the most impactful sermon in history. A sermon
on the Mount. This is truly a crucial section.
foundational for understanding the core of his
teachings. It's a complete reorientation of ethical
and spiritual living. How does it start? He begins
with what are famously known as the Beatitudes,
a series of frankly radical statements proclaiming
blessings on those who are poor in spirit, mourn,
are meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness,
are merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and
persecuted. It's a surprising list, almost upside
down. Totally. It's a surprising redefinition
of what it means to be truly blessed, flipping
conventional wisdom right on his head. He calls
his followers the salt of the earth and the light
of the world. Emphasizing their vital transforming
role in society. And he declares unequivocally
that he hadn't come to destroy the law or the
prophets. but to fulfill them. To fulfill them?
What does that mean exactly? Good question. It
means bringing them to their intended purpose
and deepest meaning. This leads to a profound
shift in understanding righteousness, moving
far beyond just mere outward observance. Okay,
like what? Well, he says for instance, anger
versus murder. It's not just the act of killing,
but even harboring unrighteous anger that puts
you in danger of judgment. Reconciliation is
paramount even before worship. So the internal
state matters immensely? Hugely. Then there's
lust versus adultery. Looking with lust, even
without a physical act, is declared adultery
in the heart. He advocates radical self -denial,
like plucking out an eye or cutting off a hand,
metaphorically speaking, if it causes you to
sin. Wow, intense imagery. What about divorce?
He narrows the permissible grounds for divorce
to sexual immorality, the word used as pornea,
stating that marrying a divorced person outside
this specific reason is considered adultery.
It was a much stricter standard than commonly
practiced. And oaths. I remember something about
not swearing oaths. Right. He instructs against
swearing by anything, heaven, earth, Jerusalem,
even your own head. Instead, just let your communication
be as simple, yes or no. Why? It was a powerful
challenge to the casual, sometimes manipulative,
oath -taking of the day. Emphasizing just fundamental
honesty in all speech. No need for elaborate
vows if you're always truthful. Makes sense.
Then there's non -retaliation. Yeah. Moving beyond
the eye for an eye principle, which was originally
about limiting vengeance, not encouraging it,
he teaches turning the other cheek, giving more
than asked, going the extra mile. It's a radical
call to absorb injustice, rather than perpetuate
the cycle. That's hard. Extremely. And then maybe
the most counter -cultural teaching of all. Love
for enemies. Love your enemies. Love your enemies.
Bless those who curse you, do good to those who
hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use
you and persecute you. He ties this directly
to reflecting the character of God, who, you
know, makes his son rise on the evil and on the
good. That's a high standard. It is. He also
talks about secret piety. Things like giving
alms, prayer, and fasting, they should be done
in secret, not for human praise. He gives the
model Lord's prayer here too, and stresses that
forgiving others is intrinsically tied to receiving
God's forgiveness. Okay, so inward motive, radical
love, secret devotion, what else? He then turns
to eternal priorities, advising against laying
up treasures upon earth where they're vulnerable
moth rust thieves, but rather store up treasures
in heaven. And then that fundamental truth about
human motivation. For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also. That really cuts
to the chase. It does. He directly confronts
the tension between worldly pursuits and spiritual
devotion. You can't serve two masters. God and
Mammon. Exactly. You cannot serve God and Mammon,
which is basically wealth or material possessions
personified. He urges against worry about daily
needs. Look at the birds, look at the lilies.
God provides for them. So trust God's provision.
Yes. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness
and all these other things. These necessities
will be added to you. It's about prioritizing.
It sounds incredibly liberating actually. It
can be. He also offers practical wisdom, warning
against judgmentalism, famously telling us to
remove the plank from our own eye before worrying
about the speck in someone else's. Good advice
for any era. Absolutely. And a caution. Do not
give what is holy to dogs, nor cast your pearls
before swine. suggesting some discernment in
sharing sacred truths. Not everyone is ready
or receptive. He then encourages persistent seeking,
right? Ask, seek, knock. Yes. Ask and it will
be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock
and it will be open to you. This promise of God's
responsiveness is immediately followed by the
profound and widely known golden rule. Do unto
others. As you would have them do unto you. Or
as Matthew phrases it, therefore whatever you
want men to do to you, do also to them. What's
truly insightful here is how this rule flips
the script. It's not just avoiding harm. It's
actively seeking to benefit others. It's proactive,
not just passive. Precisely. A radical proactive
ethical framework. He concludes this foundational
sermon with a stark contrast between two paths
the narrow gate and difficult way leading to
life Which few find and the easy way and the
wide gate and Broadway that leads to destruction
which many travel He warns against false prophets
known by their fruits their actions reveal their
true nature actions speak louder than words essentially
He emphasizes that merely acknowledging him as
Lord isn't enough one must do the will of my
father in heaven The powerful parable of building
a house on rock versus sand doing his sayings
versus just hearing them serves as a powerful
practical concluding image. Build your life on
this foundation. Okay, so having laid out this
radical new ethic on the mountain, Jesus immediately
steps into action demonstrating the authority
behind his words. Right. Talk is backed by action.
He cleanses the leper, marvels at the faith of
a Roman centurion whose servant he heals remotely.
Just based on the centurion's word and faith.
Exactly. Noting he hasn't found such great faith
even in Israel. He heals Peter's mother -in -law,
casts out many evil spirits. The power is evident.
And his authority extends to those on the margins,
like Matthew the tax collector. Yes. He calls
Matthew a tax collector, often seen as a traitor,
collaborating with Rome to follow him. And then
he openly eats with many tax collectors and other
sinners. Which causes a stir, I imagine. Oh,
definitely. When the Pharisees questioned this
association, Jesus replies with that profound
statement of purpose. Those who are well have
no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners
to repentance. Setting a clear theme, mercy over
rigid ritual. Precisely. He also addresses fasting,
explaining it's not appropriate while the bridegroom
meeting himself is present. He uses these analogies
about new cloth on an old garment and new wine
into old wineskins. Suggesting his new teachings
require a new framework. Exactly. You can't just
patch his message onto old systems. It needs
a new way of understanding new structures. His
power over life itself is shown dramatically
too. Yes. He raises a ruler's daughter from the
dead and that remarkable story of the woman suffering
from bleeding for 12 years. She just touches
his garment. Just the hem of his garment in faith
and she's instantly healed. Jesus attributes
it directly to her faith. He also restores sight
to two blind men and frees a man from a demon
that had left him mute. The crowds are just marveling.
And his authority extends even to nature, the
storm. Right. He calms a great tempest on the
sea with a single word. The disciples are just
blown away asking, what kind of man is this?
That even the winds in the sea obey him. I mean,
you would ask. You really would. Later, he walks
on the sea toward his disciples, even invites
Peter to join him briefly before Peter's faith
waivers and Jesus catches him. These moments
show a power unlike anything they'd ever seen.
Then there are the massive feeding miracles.
Two of them. Extraordinary demonstrations of
provision that stand out for their sheer scale.
First, feeding 5 ,000 men plus women and children,
with only five loaves and two fish. And leftovers.
Twelve baskets full of fragments remaining. Later,
He feeds 4 ,000 men plus women and children with
seven loaves and a few small fish, with seven
baskets remaining this time. Incredible, undeniable
demonstrations of his ability to provide abundantly.
But the opposition continues, especially from
the Pharisees. The hand -washing incident. Yes,
they challenge him, because his disciples don't
follow the tradition of ritual hand -washing
before eating. Jesus counters brilliantly, asking
why they violate God's direct commandment. to
honor parents through their own traditions that
effectively negated it. He turns it back on them.
He does, calls them hypocrites whose hearts are
far from God despite their outward show, teaching
manmade rules as divine commands. And he clarifies
what truly defiles a person. Yes, explaining
that defilement isn't about external things like
unwatched hands or certain foods. It comes from
within. Those things which proceed out of the
mouth come forth from the heart and they defile
the man. He lists evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,
moral corruptions originating from the heart.
So it's inner purity over external ritual again.
Consistently. Then there's that powerful story
of the Canaanite woman. From Tyre and Sidon,
outside the usual Jewish territory. Exactly.
She persistently appeals to Jesus for her demon
-tormented daughter, even after he initially
pushes back, talking about being sent primarily
to the lost sheep of Israel and using that difficult
children's bread and dogs analogy. That sounds
harsh. It does, but her response is incredible,
humble yet sharp. Yes, Lord, yet even the little
dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their master's
table. Wow, what a comeback. Isn't it? Jesus
has moved, declares her great faith, and heals
her daughter instantly. It's a really insightful
moment about determined, humble faith that crosses
perceived boundaries. But the conflict escalates
after healing a man who was blind, mute, and
demon -possessed. A major miracle. The Pharisees
make a serious accusation. They do. They claim
Jesus cast out demons by the power of Beelzebub,
the Prince of Demons, essentially causing him
of working with Satan, not against him. That's
a heavy charge. Extremely. Jesus confronts their
illogical accusation, how can Satan cast out
Satan? A kingdom divided falls. He then delivers
that solemn warning about blasphemy against the
Holy Spirit. the unforgivable sin. Stating it
will not be forgiven. Contrasting it with words
spoken against the Son of Man which could be
forgiven. It's a stark warning about attributing
God's work done by the Spirit to demonic power.
He reiterates the principle. The tree is known
by its fruit. Actions and words reveal the heart's
allegiance. Okay, so after these confrontations
and miracles, Jesus shifts to teaching in parables
more often. Yes, teaching many things. in parables.
Earthly stories with heavenly meanings. And the
disciples ask him, why? Right. Why speak in parables?
They do. He explains that understanding the mysteries
of the kingdom of heaven is given to them, his
followers, but not necessarily to the crowds
because seeing they do not see and hearing they
do not hear, nor do they understand. So it's
a way of revealing and concealing simultaneously.
In a sense, yes. Revealing truth to those with
open hearts while hardening those who are resistant.
He says this fulfills prophecy too. What are
some key parables here? The sower. The sower
is foundational. It illustrates different responses
to the word of the kingdom based on the soil
of the listener's heart, the heart and path,
rocky ground, thorny ground, or good soil, emphasizing
the need for understanding and bearing fruit.
And the one about weeds? The terrors among the
weeds. An enemy secretly sows weeds among good
grain. Jesus says, let them grow together until
the harvest, symbolizing the end of the age when
angels will separate the wicked, tears for judgment,
and gather the righteous wheat into God's kingdom.
It speaks to the reality of evil existing alongside
good in this age with a final separation. What
about the mustard seed and leaven? They seem
similar. They are. Both illustrate the surprising
growth and pervasive influence of the kingdom
of heaven. Starting small, almost hidden, but
growing into something vast and impacting everything,
like yeast and dough. Then there's the hidden
treasure and the pearl of great price. Yes, these
emphasize the immense incomparable value of the
kingdom. It's portrayed as something worth finding,
worth sacrificing absolutely everything else
to obtain. The joy of discovery leads to Tobol
commitment. And the net. The parable of the net
shows the kingdom gathering all kinds of people,
like a fishing net hauling in all sorts of fish.
But there's a final sorting. a separation of
the good from the bad at the end of the world,
highlighting ultimate accountability. So these
parables offer different facets of the kingdom.
It's reception, it's growth, it's value, it's
eventual judgment. Exactly. It's a rich tapestry
of teaching through story. Okay, moving on. There's
a really crucial moment when Jesus asks his disciples
about his identity. Yes, near Caesarea of Philippi.
He asks them, who do people say that I, the Son
of Man, am? And they give various answers, John
the Baptist back from the dead, Elijah, Jeremiah.
Right, popular opinions, but then he asked them
directly, but who do you say that I am? And Peter
steps up. Peter declares, you are the Christ,
the Son of the living God, a profound confession
of faith. How does Jesus respond? He commends
Peter, calls him blessed, attributing this insight
not to human wisdom, but to revelation from God.
He calls him Peter, Petrus meaning rock or stone,
and states, on this rock, I will build my church
and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.
That's a hugely significant statement about the
church's foundation. Absolutely. He also gives
Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven, symbolizing
authority to bind and loose, essentially, to
teach and define the community's life based on
his teachings. But what's striking is what happens
immediately after this high point. It really
is. Right after Peter's great confession, Jesus
begins to reveal a difficult, unexpected truth
that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many
things and be killed and be raised to And Peter
doesn't take it well. Not at all. Peter, likely
still thinking of a conquering Messiah, actually
rebukes Jesus. Tells him this should never happen.
How does Jesus react to that? Charply. Wow. That
leads directly into a critical teaching on the
cost of following him, right? Yes. Jesus states
plainly, It was. Crucifixion was a Roman reality.
It meant being willing to face suffering, shame,
even death for his sake. He explains that whoever
tries to save their earthly life, clinging to
comfort and security, will ultimately lose their
true life. But whoever loses their life for his
sake will find it. And he asks that piercing
question. For what profit is it to a man if he
gains the whole world and loses his own soul?
It forces us even today to consider our ultimate
values and priorities. What are we really living
for? Heavy stop. Definitely. He reinforces this
with the idea of future judgment and reward according
to one's deeds. And then he provides his profound
experience for his inner circle. The Transfiguration.
Whereas appearance changes. Dramatically, on
a high mountain, Jesus' divine nature is visibly
revealed. His face shines like the sun, his clothes
become dazzling white. He's seen talking with
Moses and Elijah representing the law and the
prophets. Wow, what's the significance of that?
It shows Jesus as the fulfillment of both. And
then a bright cloud overshadows them, and a voice,
a God's voice proclaims, this is my beloved son
and whom I am well pleased to hear him. It's
another powerful divine affirmation meant to
strengthen the disciples for the difficult road
ahead. It deepens the mystery and confirms his
identity. Precisely. But back down the mountain
there are practical challenges. The disciples
fail to heal a boy suffering from seizures. Why
couldn't they do it? Jesus attributes it to their
unbelief. or perhaps little faith. He states
that, with faith, even as small as a mustard
seed, they could move mountains, metaphorically
speaking, overcome huge obstacles. He adds that
this particular kind of demonic opposition requires
intense spiritual focus, prayer, and fasting.
So faith and spiritual discipline are key. Yes.
Then Jesus addresses that perennial question
among followers. Who then is greatest in the
kingdom of heaven? How does he answer? Not what
you might expect, I bet. Definitely not. He calls
a little child, sets the child in their midst
and says, unless you are converted and become
as little children, you will by no means enter
the kingdom of heaven. Become like children,
meaning? Humble, trusting, dependent. Not childish,
but childlike in their reliance on God. He states,
whoever humbles himself as this little child
is the greatest. True greatness is humility.
He also warns severely against causing these
little ones not just children, but humble believers
to stumble. That leads into the parable of the
lost sheep, doesn't it? Beautifully. It illustrates
God's intense care and passionate pursuit for
even one lost soul. The shepherd leaves the 99
safe sheep to find the one that strayed. God
rejoices over one sinner who repents. Which then
connects to forgiveness, Peter's question. Right.
Peter asks how often he should forgive a brother
who sins against him. Suggests maybe up to seven
times? Which probably sounded generous to him.
And Jesus' answer. A striking, I do not say to
you, up to seven times. but up to 70 times 7.
Essentially, limitless forgiveness don't keep
count. And he tells a parable to drive it home.
The powerful parable of the unforgiving servant.
A servant is forgiven in an impossibly huge debt
by his king, but then refuses to forgive a tiny
debt owed to him by a fellow servant. He throws
the fellow servant in prison. Ouch! What happens
to the first servant? The king finds out, retracts
his forgiveness, and hands him over to be tortured
until he pays back the original massive debt.
The takeaway is crystal clear, and Jesus states
it directly. So, my heavenly Father also will
do to you if each of you, from his heart, does
not forgive his brother his trespasses. Wow.
That's a very clear connection between receiving
forgiveness and getting it. Unmistakable. He
also revisits divorce, reiterating God's original
design for marriage as a lifelong bond, with
that specific exception for Pornia. sexual immorality.
And the rich young ruler. That's another famous
encounter. It is. A wealthy young man asks what
good thing he must do to gain eternal life. Jesus
initially points into the commandments. The man
says he's kept them all. So Jesus challenges
him further. Yes. If you want to be perfect or
complete, go. Sell what you have and give to
the poor and you will have treasure in heaven
and come follow me. How does the young man react?
He goes away sorrowful. for he had great possessions.
His wealth was his stumbling block, the thing
he couldn't let go of. Which leads to Jesus'
surprising statement about camels and needles.
Right. The famous, and probably hyperbolic, statement,
it is easier for a camel to go through the eye
of a needle than for a rich man to enter the
kingdom of God. The disciples are shocked. If
the rich can't make it, who can? Exactly their
reaction. But Jesus clarifies, with men this
is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
It's not about condemning wealth itself, but
about the attachment to wealth, the trust placed
in it over God. Salvation is God's work. The
parable of the laborers and the vineyard also
seems to challenge conventional ideas of fairness.
It really does. Workers hired at different times
of the day, early morning, noon, late afternoon,
all receive the same standard day's wage from
the vineyard owner. The early workers complain
naturally. It doesn't seem fair by human standards.
But the owner points out he paid them what they
agreed upon and asserts his right to be generous
with his own resources. It's a powerful lesson,
challenging human notions of merit and reward,
emphasizing God's sovereign grace and generosity.
It's not strictly about what we earn. It subverts
expectations again. Constantly. Jesus then directly
teaches about the true nature of greatness again,
connecting it explicitly to service, as James
and John's mother asks for places of honor for
her sons. Jesus says that's not how it works
in his kingdom. Right. He tells them, and points
to his own example. Crucially, just as the Son
of Man did not come to be served, but to serve
and to give his life a ransom for many. This
is a radical redefinition of leadership. Downward
mobility, self -giving service, culminating in
his own sacrificial death. That theme of his
impending death becomes more prominent now. A
somber note is introduced with the flashback
to John the Baptist's execution. Yes, Matthew
includes it here. Perhaps his Herod hears about
Jesus and mistakenly thinks he's John risen from
the dead. It recalls John's imprisonment for
condemning Herod's unlawful marriage to Herodias.
his brother's wife. And the gruesome story of
the party, the dance, the oath. Right. Herodias'
daughter dances, pleases Herod, he makes a rash
oath to give her anything. Prompted by her vengeful
mother, she demands John's head on a platter.
And Herod does it. He does. The regretful, Matthew
says, he grants it because of his oath and his
dinner guests. A tragic story underscoring the
dangerous, often cruel, political realities of
their world. And foreshadowing the danger Jesus
faces. As Jesus approaches Jerusalem for the
final time, the opposition intensifies, but there
are still moments of recognition. Yes. He heals
two blind men near Jericho who cry out to him
as son of David, a powerful messianic title they
recognize. And then comes the triumphal entry
into Jerusalem. A pivotal moment. He enters Jerusalem
riding on a donkey in a cult. deliberately fulfilling
ancient prophecy from Zechariah about the humble
king arriving. And the crowd. The crowds are
ecstatic, spreading cloaks and branches shutting.
Hosanna to the son of David. Blessed is he who
comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the
highest. It's a royal welcome, albeit perhaps
misunderstood by many. Upon entering the temple
courts, he acts. Decisively. Very decisively.
A forceful, dramatic display of authority. He
drives out those who are buying and selling,
overturns the tables of the money changers, and
the seats of those selling doves. Why such a
strong reaction? He declares, quoting scripture,
It's a powerful indictment of the commercialization
and corruption of sacred space, hindering true
worship, especially for Gentiles. This action
must have provoked the authorities. Immediately.
The chief priests and elders confront him right
there in the temple, demanding, by what authority
are you doing these things and who gave you this
authority? How did he respond? He definitely
deflects their question with one of his own.
about John the Baptist's authority. Was John's
baptism from heaven or from men? Putting them
in a bind. Exactly. They can't answer. If they
say from heaven, Jesus will ask why they didn't
believe John. If they say from men, they fear
the crowds who held John as a prophet. So they
plead ignorance. Jesus then refuses to tell them
his authority. Masterful. He then tells several
parables that seem aimed directly at them. Yes.
Clearly foreshadowing judgment on those rejecting
him and highlighting the spiritual blindness
of the religious leadership. Like the parable
of the two sons. Right. One son initially says
no to working in the vineyard, but later repents
and goes. The other says yes, but never goes.
Jesus asks, which of the two did the will of
his father? They answer the first. And the application.
Jesus states that tax collectors and prostitutes,
those who initially said no to God, but repented
at John's message, are entering the kingdom ahead
of the religious leaders who said yes outwardly,
but didn't truly obey. Out. Then the wicked husband
men. even more pointed. A landowner leases his
vineyard to tenants. He sends servants repeatedly
to collect his share of the fruit, but the tenants
beat, kill, and stone them. Finally, he sends
his son, thinking they'll respect him. But they
don't. No, they kill the son too, hoping to seize
the inheritance. Jesus asked the leaders what
the owner will do. They reply he'll destroy those
wicked men and lease the vineyard to others who
will give him the fruit. And Jesus applies it
directly. Yes. He quotes Psalm 118 about the
rejected stone becoming the cornerstone and declares
the kingdom of God will be taken from them and
given to a people bearing its fruits. The leaders
knew he was speaking about them. And the wedding
feast. Another parable of rejection and judgment.
A king prepares a wedding feast for his son.
The invited guests make excuses, ignore the invitation,
and even mistreat and kill the king's servant
sent to remind them. So the king gets angry.
Furious. He destroys the murderers and sends
his servants out to the highways to invite everyone
they can find, good and bad, to fill the wedding
hall. But there's a twist at the end, the wedding
garment. Yes. The king comes in and sees a guest
who isn't wearing a proper wedding garment symbolizing
readiness, or perhaps the righteousness provided
by God. The man has no excuse and is cast out
into darkness. The parable ends with that chilling
line. For many are called, but few are chosen.
highlighting both the wide invitation and the
need for genuine prepared response. They keep
trying to trap him, though, the question about
taxes. Yes, the Pharisees and Herodians team
up unusual allies to entangle him in his talk.
They ask if it's lawful to pay taxes to Caesar,
a political minefield. Say yes, alienate zealous
Jews. Say no, risk charges of sedition against
Rome. How does he handle it? He perceives their
malicious intent, asks for a Roman coin, a denarius,
points to Caesar's image and inscription on it
and delivers that famous line, render therefore
to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to
God the things that are God's. Brilliant. It
acknowledges earthly authority while upholding
ultimate allegiance to God. Exactly. They marvel
at his wisdom and are silenced on that point.
Then the Sadducees try their hand. They deny
the resurrection, right? Correct. They pose a
hypothetical question about a woman married sequentially
to seven brothers under the Levirit law. They
ask whose wife she will be in the resurrection
trying to make the idea seem absurd. How does
Jesus respond to them? He tells them they're
mistaken because they know neither the scriptures
nor the power of God. He explains that in the
resurrection people neither marry nor are given
in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. The
nature of existence changes. And he proves the
resurrection from the Torah, which they accepted.
Yes. He quotes God's words to Moses at the burning
bush. I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac,
and the God of Jacob. Jesus points out God is
not the God of the dead, but of the living. Implying
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are alive with God,
thus affirming resurrection. The crowds are astonished.
Finally, a lawyer, an expert in the law, asks
a genuine question, perhaps. It seems so. He
asks Jesus to identify the great or most important
commandment in the law. And Jesus gives two.
Yes. He summarizes the entire law with two core
principles. First, you shall love the Lord your
God with all your heart, with all your soul,
and with all your mind. And this ends is like
it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
And he says everything hangs on these. On these
two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
A remarkably concise and incredibly impactful
summary of ethical and spiritual living. Love
God completely. Love others as yourself. That's
the essence. After silencing his opponents, Jesus
turns the tables and issues strong warnings against
the strives and Pharisees. Yes, the famous woes.
A series of denunciations exposing their deep
hypocrisy. He calls them blind guides, criticizing
them for meticulously tithing tiny herbs while
neglecting the weightier matters of the law.
Justice, mercy, and faith. Focusing on the trivial,
ignoring the essential. Precisely. He condemns
their love of public recognition and titles.
And... He uses that powerful image, comparing
them to whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful
outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's
bones and all uncleanness, a scathing indictment
of religious pretense covering intercorruption.
Then he shifts to prophecy about the future,
the destruction of the temple. Yes. As they leave
the temple, his disciples admire its buildings.
Jesus makes the shocking prediction. Do you not
see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you,
not one stone shall be left here upon another
that shall not be thrown down. Which happened
historically. It did in 8070. Later, on the Mount
of Olives, his disciples ask him privately about
the sign of his coming and of the end of the
age. And he gives a long discourse. He does.
Describing signs and events leading up to it.
False Christs and false prophets performing great
signs. Wars and rumors of wars. Famines, pestilences,
earthquakes. He speaks of intense persecution
and tribulation for his followers, but also the
gospel being preached to all nations before the
end comes. And he... emphasizes readiness. Absolutely.
He warns them repeatedly to watch therefore and
be ready because his return will be unexpected
like a thief in the night. He uses parables like
the Ten Versions, Five Wise with enough oil,
Five Foolish Without, and the Talents, where
faithful servants invest what their master gives
them while the wicked servant buries his talent
out of fear. all emphasizing vigilance and faithfulness.
Yes. And perhaps one of the most powerful and
thought -provoking parts of this section is the
final judgment scene. The parable of the sheep
and the goats. Where the Son of Man separates
nations. Exactly. Like a shepherd separating
sheep from goats. The criterion for judgment
for entering the kingdom is surprisingly practical
and grounded in selfless service to others, especially
the needy. The righteous sheep are welcomed because
they fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty,
welcomed the stranger, clothed the naked, visited
the sick and imprisoned. They asked, Lord, when
did we see you? And the king replies, I surely,
I say to you, in as much as you did it to one
of the least of these my brethren, you get it
to me. Conversely, the cursed goats are sent
away because they failed to do these things,
failing to recognize him in the needy. That's
a profound and very memorable insight. Our treatment
of the least of these is our treatment of him.
A powerful takeaway for you. for anyone to consider
about how our faith translates into tangible
action in the world. So the narrative is building
inexorably towards the climax. Jesus tells his
disciples that in two days it's Passover and
he will be delivered up to be crucified. He knows
exactly what's coming. Meanwhile, the chief priests
and elders gather at the palace of Caiaphas,
the high priest, plotting how to arrest Jesus
secretly and kill him. They decide not to do
it during the feast itself, fearing a riot among
the people who favored Jesus. And then there's
the anointing at Bethany. Yes, a poignant moment.
A woman comes to the house where Jesus is dining
and anoints his head with very costly, fragrant
oil. The disciples object, see it as waste. Some
do, likely Judas' vocal here. They argue it could
have been sold and the money given to the poor.
But Jesus defends her action profoundly. What
does he say? He says she has done a good work
for him. For you have the poor with you always,
but me you do not have always. He interprets
her act prophetically, for in pouring this fragrant
oil on my body, she did it for my burial. He
even declares that wherever the gospel is preached,
her act of devotion will be remembered. A beautiful
moment contrasted sharply with what happens next.
Immediately after. One of the twelve, Judas Iscariot,
goes to the chief priests. Hen makes the deal.
Yes. He asks, what are you willing to give me
if I deliver him to you? They agree on a price.
Thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave
in the Old Testament, a truly chilling detail.
Then comes the Last Supper, the Passover meal.
A deeply significant meal. Jesus shares a profoundly
difficult truth. Assuredly, I say to you, one
of you will betray me. The disciples are sorrowful,
asking one by one, Lord, is it I? How does he
identify the betrayer? He says it's the one who
dips his hand with him in the dish. When Judas
asks Rabbi, is it I? Jesus responds with that
somber affirmation. You have said it. The betrayal
is now openly though perhaps subtly acknowledged.
And during this meal he institutes the Lord's
Supper. Yes, a new profound ritual. He takes
bread, blesses, and breaks it. Gives it to the
disciples saying, take, eat, this is my body.
Then he takes a cup, gives thanks, gives it to
them saying, drink from it, all of you. For this
is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed
for many, for the remission or forgiveness of
sins. Establishing a new covenant through his
sacrifice. Precisely. He also predicts that all
of them will stumble and scatter that very night
fulfilling prophecy. And he specifically tells
Peter, despite Peter's confident protests. That
Peter will deny him. Assuredly, I say to you
that this night, before the rooster crows, you
will deny me three times. These intimate moments
are filled with both profound revelation and
immense impending sorrow. After the meal, they
go to Gethsemane. The Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus
takes Peter, James, and John deeper into the
garden and begins to experience profound anguish
and sorrow even to death. And he prays. Three
times he prays, withdrawing a short distance
asking if it's possible for this cup of suffering
to pass from him. But each time he submits to
God's will, All my father, if this cup cannot
pass away from me unless I drink it, your will
be done. And the disciples. He finds them asleep
each time he returns. He urges them, watch and
pray lest you enter into temptation. The spirit
indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Yeah.
Highlighting their human frailty in the face
of this immense spiritual conflict he is undergoing.
Then Judas arrives. Yes, Judas arrives with a
great multitude with swords and clubs, sent from
the chief priests and elders. And identifies
Jesus with a kiss. The pre -arranged signal,
a horrific symbol of betrayal, when one of Jesus'
followers, John's gospel, identifies him as Peter
draws a sword and cuts off the ear of the high
priest's servant. Jesus stops him. Yes, tells
him to put the sword away. For all who take the
sword will perish by the sword. He adds that
he could call on his father for more than 12
legions of angels, but chooses not to, so the
scriptures predicting his suffering must be fulfilled.
At this point, all the disciples forsook him
and fled. He's arrested and taken to the high
priest. Led to Caiaphas, the high priest, where
the scribes and elders were assembled. They seek
false testimony against Jesus to put him to death,
but struggle to find consistent accounts. What
finally sticks? Finally, two false witnesses
come forward claiming he said, And Caiaphas questions
him directly. Yes. The high priest stands up
and asks him directly, I put you under oath by
the living God. Tell us if you are the Christ,
the Son of God. And Jesus answers. He does. It
is as you said. Then he adds a powerful declaration
of his future vindication. Nevertheless, I say
to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man
sitting at the right hand of the power and coming
on the clouds of heaven. How does the high priest
react? He tears his clothes, cries blasphemy
and asks the council what they think. They condemn
him, he is deserving of death. They then begin
to spit on him, beat him and mock him. And while
this is happening inside, Peter is outside. Yes,
Peter is waiting in the courtyard. A servant
girl identifies him as being with Jesus. He denies
it. A second time another girl points him out.
He denies it again, this time with an oath. A
third time, bystanders comment on his Galilean
accent. And he denies it again. He denies it
a third time, cursing and swearing, I do not
know the man. Immediately, Arusta crows. And
Peter remembers. Peter remembers Jesus' words.
He goes out and wept bitterly. A powerful, raw
human moment of failure and regret. In the morning,
the council delivers Jesus to the Roman governor.
To Pontius Pilate. Meanwhile, Judas, seeing Jesus
condemned, is seized by remorse. He tries to
return the 30 pieces of silver to the chief priests
and elders saying I have sinned by betraying
innocent blood. How do they respond callously?
What is that to us you see to it? They refuse
the money Judas throws the silver down in the
temple departs and tragically hangs himself.
What happens to the money? The chief priests
decide they can't put it in the temple treasury
since it's blood money, so they use it to buy
the potter's field as a burial place for strangers
fulfilling another prophecy, Matthew notes. It
becomes known as the field of blood. Back before
Pilate, Pilate questions Jesus. Asks him, are
you the king of the Jews? Jesus replies cryptically,
it is as you say. But he answers nothing to the
many accusations brought by the chief priests
and elders, astonishing Pilate. Pilate has a
custom of releasing a prisoner a Passover. Yes.
He offers the crowd a choice. Release. Barabbas
described as a notorious prisoner or Jesus whom
he calls Christ. Pilate seems to sense Jesus
is innocent and that the leaders acted out of
envy. His own wife even sends him a message warning
him from a dream she had. Have nothing to do
with that just man. But the crowd is swayed.
Yes. The chief priests and elders persuade the
multitude to ask for Barabbas and demand Jesus
be crucified. Pilate tries to reason with them.
He asks what evil has he done. But they just
shout louder, let him be crucified. Seeing a
riot brewing and that he couldn't prevail, Pilate
takes a basin of water. And washes his hands.
Dashes his hands before the multitude declaring,
I am innocent of the blood of this just person
you see to it. A symbolic but ultimately ineffective
gesture of disavowal. And the people's response.
Chillingly, they reply, his blood be on us and
on our children, accepting the responsibility.
Pilate then releases Barabbas, has Jesus scourged
to brutal flogging and delivers him to be crucified.
The Roman soldiers then mock him. Terribly. They
strip him, put a scarlet robe on him, weave a
crown of thorns and press it onto his head, put
a reed in his right hand as a mock scepter. They
kneel before him, hailing him derisively. Hail,
king of the Jews. They spit on him, take the
reed and strike him on the head. Utter humiliation.
Complete degradation. He is then led away to
Golgotha, place of a skull. for crucifixion.
They compel a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, to carry
his cross. And he's crucified. Crucified between
two common criminals, robbers or bandits. They
offer him sour wine mixed with gall to drink,
a painkiller perhaps, but... He refuses it after
tasting it. His garments are divided among the
soldiers by casting lots, fulfilling prophecy
again. And the mocking continues even on the
cross. Yes. Passersby, the chief priests, scribes,
and elders all mock him, wagging their heads,
challenging him. He saved others. Himself, he
cannot save. If he's a king of Israel, let him
now come down to the cross and we will believe
him. He trusted in God. Let him deliver him now
if he will have him. Even the robbers crucified
with him, revile him. Then darkness falls. A
profound unnatural darkness covers the entire
land from the sixth hour, noon, until the ninth
hour, 3 p .m. And at the ninth hour, Jesus cries
out with a loud voice, quoting the beginning
of Psalm 22 in Aramaic. Eli, Eli, lemma sabhaktani,
meaning. My God, my God, why have you forsaken
me? A cry of deep anguish and identification
with human desolation. Some bystanders misunderstand,
thinking he's calling for Elijah. He's offered
sour wine on a sponge. Then, after crying out
again with a loud voice, he yielded up his spirit.
He dies. And Matthew records supernatural events
at that exact moment. Yes, truly astonishing
phenomena. The massive veil of the temple, separating
the holy place from the most holy place, is torn
in two from top to bottom, a profound symbol
of new access to God through Christ's death.
An earthquake too! A violent earthquake occurs,
rocks split, tombs are opened, and remarkably
many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep
were raised. Matthew says they came out of the
graves after his resurrection and went into the
holy city and appeared to many. Wow, even the
Roman soldiers react. Yes. The centurion and
the soldiers guarding Jesus seeing the earthquake
and all these things happening are filled with
awe and fear declaring, truly, this was the Son
of God. A remarkable confession from unlikely
witnesses. After his death, what happens to the
body? Joseph of Arimathea described as a rich
man and a disciple of Jesus, though perhaps secretly
before. Boldly goes to Pilate and asks for the
body. Pilate grants permission. And Joseph buries
him respectfully? Yes. Joseph takes the body,
wraps it in clean linen cloth, and lays it in
his own new tomb, which he had carved out of
the rock. He then rolls a great stone across
the entrance of the tomb and departs. Mary Magdalene
and the other Mary are there, observing where
he was laid. But the chief priests are still
worried. They are. The next day, the Sabbath,
they go to Pilate, reminding him that Jesus had
claimed he would rise after three days. They
asked Pilate to secure the tomb until the third
day, fearing his disciples might steal the body
and claim he had risen, making the last deception
worse than the first. Does Pilate agree? He tells
them, you have a guard, go your way, make it
as secure as you know how. So they go, set a
guard of soldiers, and seal the stone, convinced
this would prevent any fraud. But it doesn't
work out that way. Not at all. Early on the first
day of the week, at dawn, Mary Magdalene and
the other Mary come to see the tomb. And something
dramatic happens. A great earthquake occurs.
An angel of the Lord descends from heaven, rolls
back the massive stone from the entrance, and
sits on it. His appearance is like lightning.
His clothing white as snow. What about the guards?
The guards are terrified. They shake and become
like dead men from fear. And the angel speaks
to the women? Yes. Tells him not to be afraid.
He announces the world -changing news. He is
not here. for he is risen, as he said. Come,
see the place where the Lord lay, the empty tomb.
The angel then instructs them to go quickly and
tell his disciples that he is risen from the
dead and is going ahead of them into Galilee.
They will see him there. How do the women react?
They depart quickly from the tomb with fear and
great joy, an amazing mix of emotions, and run
to bring the disciples word. And they meet Jesus.
Yes. As they are going, Jesus himself meets them,
greeting them. They follow his feet and worship
him. He tells them not to be afraid and reiterates
the instruction. Go and tell my brethren to go
to Galilee, and there they will see me. A powerful,
tender reunion and confirmation. What about those
terrified guards? Some of them go into the city
and report everything that had happened to the
chief priests. How do the priests respond to
this news? They convene with the elders, take
counsel. and decide on damage control. They give
the soldiers a large sum of money. A bribe. Essentially,
yes, instructing them to spread a false story.
Tell them, his disciples came at night and stole
him away while we slept. They promised to protect
the soldiers if the governor hears about them
sleeping on duty. And the soldiers take the money.
They do, and spread the fabricated story. Matthew
notes this false report is commonly reported
among the Jews until this day, explaining the
counter narrative to the resurrection. Finally,
the disciples obey and go to Galilee. Yes. The
eleven remaining disciples go to the mountain
in Galilee where Jesus had appointed them. And
they see Him there. When they see Him, they worship
Him. Though Matthew honestly includes the detail
that some doubted, even in the face of the resurrected
Christ, human doubt lingered for some. And Jesus
gives them their final instructions. the Great
Commission. He does. He comes, Neal, and speaks
to them, giving this definitive charge that is
echoed through history for his followers. All
authority has been given to me in heaven and
on earth. Based on that authority. Go, therefore,
and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe
all things that I have commanded you. It's a
comprehensive mission. It is. Make disciples,
baptize them, teach them obedience. And he concludes
with this incredible promise, and lo, I am with
you always, even to the end of the age. A truly
impactful and memorable way to conclude this
remarkable narrative, launching a global movement
empowered by his authority and presence. Wow,
what a journey through Matthew. It really is.
What truly stands out from this deep dive, I
think, is the sheer density. The density of foundational
concepts, dramatic events, all packed into this
single source. It presents this comprehensive
narrative from that detailed lineage tying back
to ancient promises through these transformative
teachings that just redefine righteousness to
incredible demonstrations of power over nature,
sickness, even death. And ultimately to that
pivotal sacrifice and the world -changing resurrection,
Matthew's so meticulous, isn't he, weaving in
prophecy and fulfillment constantly? Constantly.
emphasizing Jesus' identity as the long -awaited
Messiah, the King, the fulfillment of Israel's
hopes, but in ways they often didn't expect.
Exactly. And it's a text that it doesn't shy
away from human failings either. You see Herod's
cruelty, the disciple struggles to understand.
Tostling misunderstanding. Peter's profound betrayal
and denial, Judas' tragic choice, all set against
this backdrop of just astonishing miracles and
these really radical moral instructions. It's
such an honest portrayal, I find, of both the
divine and the very human elements at play. That's
a great way to put it. And that consistent thread
of prophecy and fulfillment provides this powerful
sense of a larger unfolding divine narrative.
It advises you, the listener, to consider the
enduring questions this text raises about faith,
about authority, about what it truly means to
live a life aligned with a higher purpose. Yeah,
it really challenges us to look beyond just the
surface actions, doesn't it? To the intentions
of the heart, to a kingdom that operates on principles
often completely counter to the world's way of
thinking, humility, service, enemy love. Exactly.
So what does this all mean for you listening?
Well, perhaps it's an invitation to explore the
depth of this ancient source further. Maybe delve
into specific parables or those teachings from
the Sermon on the Mount that resonated with you.
Or maybe it's just a call to reflect on how these
principles. Humility, service, that radical love
and forgiveness might apply to your own understanding
of purpose and human connection right here, right
now in today's world. Absolutely. This deep dive
into Matthew, it really offers a wealth of insights
no matter what your background or perspective
might be. It's a story that continues to shape
conversations and lives. It certainly does. A
foundational text for a reason. Thanks for diving
deep with us today. My pleasure.