Season 3, Episode 2

From Judgment to Grace: The Miraculous Teachings of Christ

Date: October 17, 2025

Duration: 46:47 minutes

Hosts: Brigette Heller, Andrew Blackwood, Tanja Bentley Ward

Episode Summary

In this episode of Connected in Christ, hosts Brigette Heller, Andrew Blackwood, and Tanja Bentley Ward dive into Matthew 7–12. Together, they reflect on Jesus’ clear teachings about judgment, mercy, and grace while unpacking His miracles - thirteen in these chapters alone. The conversation moves from practical self-reflection to the power of faith, highlighting both the challenges and encouragements of following Christ.

• Judge not, lest ye be judged (Matthew 7:1): Exploring self-reflection, the standards we hold others to, and what judgment really means in the light of grace.

• The Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12): Doing unto others as you’d have them do unto you, and how Jesus repeats timeless truths in multiple ways to reach the heart.

• Pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6): Boundaries, discernment, and knowing when to withhold sacred truths from those not ready to receive them.

• Miracles of Matthew 8: Healing of the leper, the Roman officer’s servant, Peter’s mother-in-law, calming of the storm, and casting demons into swine. Discussion centers on faith, immediacy of healing, and Jesus’ willingness to say “I want to.”

• Faith of the Roman officer: Highlighted as a striking example of belief that went beyond cultural and religious expectations.

• Jesus’ authority: Unlike the scribes, He taught with real power and authenticity that astonished the crowds.

• Jesus heals the paralyzed man (Matthew 9): Unpacking the deeper meaning behind “your sins are forgiven” and the Pharisees’ self-righteous resistance.

• Mercy over sacrifice (Matthew 9:13): Christ’s call for love, mercy, and compassion instead of empty ritual.

• Calling of Matthew and the disciples (Matthew 9–10): How Jesus chooses and equips ordinary people to follow Him.

• Faith in the storm: Lessons from the calming of the storm—whether Jesus heals immediately or calls us to be still with Him in the boat.

• • Discrepancy in demon-possessed accounts (Matthew vs. Luke): Discussion of one vs. two men and what this reveals about gospel perspectives.

  
  

• • The Bible Project – Gospel of Matthew Overview
    

  • New Living Translation (NLT) Bible
    

  • King James Version (KJV) Bible
    

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  Acknowledgments:

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