Matthew, the 30 day challenge

Below are some verses that stood out to me as I read Matthew, part of a challenge to read the NT in 30 days.

January 1

they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”

First thought Jesus has for people after the desertà “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in you brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.[1] (Mt 9:13

“According to your faith will it be done to you” healing of the two blind men.


January 2

do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”

Matt 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.

No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

12:37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

13:22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.

13:58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

14:29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”


January 3

15:27 “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
28 Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

16:11 But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” [2]

16:24“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?[3]

17:20 I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

18:3  And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

18:14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.

18:35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

19:6 So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

20: 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

20:34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

22: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”


January 4
Matt 23:39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

24:23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.

24:44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

25:37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’


26:8 “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

26:38 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

27:12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

27:45 “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” --> see Psalm 22 for the happy meaning, " he has not hidden his face from him, but has listened to his cry for help."

28:18 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”