In the letter to the church in Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7-13, we read the second of two letters that contains only praise and encouragement from Jesus for the church. Although the church in Philadelphia looked weak, it was actually strong, because it had done the one simple thing that all churches and all Christians must do: keep Christ’s word. Jesus’ instruction to them (and to us) was correspondingly simple: hold on to what you have.
Disorderly members can wreck a church, but a firm and loving response by other members can save them and the church.
Because they questioned and rejected Jesus’ authority, the chief priests were removed from their post and replaced by others from all the nations.
Although not exactly a parable, the judgment scene that concluded Jesus’ public teaching in Matthew brings together important themes of his parables of the...
