Athey Creek: Audio Podcast

In Matthew 28:1-8 we see a group of women arriving at Jesus’ tomb only to find it empty and an angel declaring that Jesus was no longer there because He had risen – just as He said He would. As we prepare to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, it is important to understand what this really means and why it matters so much to the Christian faith.

As we arrive at Jesus’ final moments of suffering on the cross in Matthew 27:39-66, we find a series of astonishing events, see various reactions from the witnesses, and watch as the religious leaders think they’ve put an end to Jesus once and for all. And while it may appear so for a moment, what seems to be the end is only the beginning.

A Bible teaching titled “The Veil of the Temple” from Matthew 27:50-54 by Brett Meador.

After hemming and hawing, Pontius Pilate finally gives in to pressure from the mob and sentences Jesus to scourging and crucifixion. As we watch Jesus endure the cross in Matthew 27:15-43, we see what He willingly went through because of His love for us and desire that all may be saved.

Tucked away in Matthew 27:36 is a little verse about people sitting at the foot of the cross and watching Jesus die. We take a similar posture as we look upon the cross and pause to see just how much Jesus endured on our behalf so that we could obtain salvation through His amazing grace.

Jesus is shuffled through a series of pseudo-trials in Matthew 27:1-14 — complete with lying witnesses, disregard for actual law, and judges with minds already made up. As we watch Him face the accusations, we see numerous Old Testament prophecies fulfilled, how Jesus responded, and the horrifying demise of his betrayer, Judas Iscariot.

As Jesus is betrayed, arrested, and faces a sham trial, we find four key players with four very different mindsets within the narrative. As we watch these events unfold in Matthew 26:55-75, we see what these people were thinking about Jesus while we also examine our own minds, hearts, and motives concerning Him.

We find Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26:31-54 in fervent, anguished prayer as He awaits His imminent betrayal, arrest, and what He knows will come after that. As we watch these events unfold, we see a beautiful model of how to face trials from Jesus, learn what not to do from the disciples, and discover how important knowing Scripture is as we put our trust and hope in Jesus Christ.

Poor Peter keeps making mistake after mistake in Matthew 26:31-58. As we study, we see where Peter went wrong and how we tend to fall into the same traps today. But most importantly, we learn how we can all receive the forgiveness of Jesus Christ when we trip up and turn away.

Things are escalating quickly as the religious leaders hatch a plot to kill Jesus — and find assistance in the betrayal of one of His very own disciples. As we watch the beginning of His journey to the cross in Matthew 26:1-30, we see Jesus preparing for this, instituting the act of Communion, and fulfilling numerous Old Testament prophecies.

Mary of Bethany performs a radical act of worship in Matthew 26:6-13 when she anoints Jesus with costly oil— but not everyone is on board with what she is doing. As we learn who Mary is, why she did this, and how others responded, we see how we can emulate Mary’s heart for Jesus and devote ourselves to worshipping Him.

Jesus tells parables in Matthew 25 that illustrate different behaviors and actions of people in the Last Days. As we study, we try to determine who these people may represent and what their conduct means and hear Jesus’ instructions on how to live as the end draws near.

Jesus tells a parable in Matthew 25:14-30 about a man who gave his three servants “talents” before departing on a journey and the outcome of what his servants did with them while he was away. As we look further into this parable, we learn who the master and servants are, what a talent is, and how we can use what has been given to us while we await Christ’s return.

Jesus gives us some details and parables in Matthew 24:32-51 that describe people in the End Times – but there is debate on exactly who and what He is talking about. As we look into the theories, we may not come up with a definitive answer, but we still gain valuable insight into End Times prophecy and how we should live in light of what Jesus is saying.

Jesus remarks in Matthew 24:36-39 that in the Last Days the world will look a lot like it did in the time of Noah. As we search the Scriptures, we piece together a picture of the world’s condition before the flood and see how the circumstances and behavior of the people in that time mirror what we see today.

In Matthew 24:15-31, Jesus tells about a coming time called the Tribulation when the world will experience great calamity, destruction, and turmoil like never before. As we hear what He has to say about this seven-year time of trouble, we learn what will take place and why it will be particularly brutal for the Jews.

Jesus tells us to be ready for His return in Matthew 24:44, and one of the main things we can do to prepare is to understand what is prophetically outlined in the Bible. As we study the End Times, we break down various views, define key concepts and events, examine timetables, and prepare to meet Him at any moment.

As Jesus begins His discourse on the End Times in Matthew 24:1-14, He lists a number of signs to look for that indicate the time is drawing near. So are we seeing these signs today, and if so, how should we respond?

As we prepare to embark on a study of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, it is essential to understand the context of this monologue and the concepts surrounding Bible Prophecy, The Second Coming, and the End Times. We begin in Matthew 24:1-3 by examining the disciples' question to Jesus and investigating key terms, ideas, and events that factor into what Jesus will tell us about the End Times.

Jesus has some harsh, and even shocking, words for the religious leaders in Matthew 23 that seem to be a striking departure from His regular gracious and kind speech. However, through these stern words of truth, He was actually showing great love and His desire to keep them — and us — away from sinful behaviors that ultimately lead to destruction.