“By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” That is the question the chief priests and elders ask Jesus. And it is a good question. Authority matters. We entrust people with authority over enormous parts of our lives. Parents have authority. Teachers have authority. Doctors have authority. Judges have […]

Matthew tells us that Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. It is a sweeping sentence, almost like a refrain. This is what Jesus does. He teaches, proclaims and heals. But then Matthew slows down. Jesus […]