Michael Hewat
Michael Hewat is currently serving as the Senior Minister at West Hamilton Community Church, New Zealand
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.
The Epistle of James has had some serious opponents over the centuries, not least, Martin Luther who called it “a...
Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you meet trials of various kinds…
What a way to launch into a letter! No “grace and peace”, thanksgiving or beatitude as in Paul’s letters, rather a bold exhortation to do...
Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?
This is my beloved Son.
Whereas Luke prepares us for John the Baptist’s entry by relating his conception and birth (Lk 1), and John introduces him in his prologue (Jn 1.6-8), in Matthew’s Gospel he appears unannounced.
He needs no introduction...
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…
James has already assured us that God is singularly generous and gives wisdom to those who ask. In these seven verses, he attests to three more of God’s qualities and...
Receive with meekness the implanted word…
Today’s verses are connected to each other, and to the previous verse, by three references to “the word” (vv. 21, 22, 23; cf. v.19). In this context, the directive to “be quick to hear”...
But I say to you who hear… (27)
In Luke’s version of ‘the Sermon on the Mount’ (Matt 5-7) Jesus is on a level place (17). Those who have visited the site where this sermon is commemorated today will...
What have you to do with us, O Son of God?
So far Matthew has told us that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of David (1.16); Immanuel (God with us, 1.23); the beloved Son (3.17); the prophet like...
What sort of man is this, that even the winds and sea obey him? Jesus’ authoritative words are immediately followed by authoritative deeds, demonstrating his power over sickness, diseases, demons and the natural elements.
In the light of his claim...
The Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath (5)
While the crowds continue to be filled with awe, the opposition from religious leaders is mounting. They have already grumbled about Jesus’ fellowship with tax collectors and sinners...
