
Who Were Your Ancestors?
Read: Matthew 1:1-17 Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah. (v. 16 NIV) Thanks to online resources, more people than ever are researching their ancestry. A
Have you ever read a passage in the Bible and thought, “What does that even mean?”
You’re not alone. Some parts of Scripture are deeply challenging—whether because of cultural distance, unfamiliar religious context, or just plain hard sayings from Jesus himself. Difficult Passages in Matthew is a devotional series designed to walk you gently but honestly through those tricky verses that often raise more questions than answers.
Written by scholar Craig Blomberg, these daily reflections blend theological insight with pastoral care. Each devotion engages one of Matthew’s tough texts—from Jesus’s genealogy, to confusing parables, to the meaning of the “unforgivable sin,” and more. Rather than skimming over these sections or twisting them to fit easy answers, Blomberg invites us to explore the richness, nuance, and ultimately the hope embedded in them.
Whether you’re a long-time Bible reader or someone still exploring faith, this series offers a safe space to bring your questions and doubts. With clarity and compassion, you’ll be encouraged to wrestle with Scripture—not to undermine your faith, but to deepen it. These aren’t just academic explanations; they are invitations to trust Jesus more fully—even when we don’t fully understand.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make sense of hard sayings or why certain passages are even in the Bible, this devotional will offer insight, encouragement, and a renewed appreciation for the depth of God’s Word. Come and discover how faith grows in the wrestling.

Read: Matthew 1:1-17 Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah. (v. 16 NIV) Thanks to online resources, more people than ever are researching their ancestry. A

Read: Matthew 2:13-23 Out of Egypt I called my Son. (v. 15 NIV) I know believers in Jesus whom God has consistently guided in major decisions through sermons. Others have

Read: Matthew 3:1-17 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” (v. 15 NIV) I have Christian friends and

Read: Matthew 4:1-11 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. (v. 1 NIV) I came to Christ as a teenager out

Read: Matthew 5:13-20 I have not come to abolish [the Law and the Prophets] but to fulfill them. (v. 17 NIV) I’ve been told it’s a sin to get a

Read: Matthew 6:25-34 Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (v. 33 NIV) As a seminary professor, I often

Read: Matthew 7:1-12 Do not judge, or you too will be judged. (v. 1 NIV) Is all judgment wrong? We often hear people reassure each other with the two words

Read: Matthew 8:23-34 What kind of man is this? (v. 27 NIV) It’s one of Jesus’s most famous miracles—stilling the storm on the sea of Galilee after his disciples rouse

Read: Matthew 9:1-8 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” (v. 2 NIV) Maybe it’s because I grew up in
Craig L. Blomberg is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Denver Seminary. He has written or edited more than 30 books, including a recently revised and expanded commentary on Matthew. He teaches regularly in churches, including his home church of Centennial Covenant in Littleton, CO. He and his wife Fran have two daughters and three grandchildren.