The Cursing of The Fig Tree

Matthew's gospel concludes with "the Great Commission," when the Lord sent his disciples to preach and baptize. The passage raises questions about faith and doubt, the mission of the Church to evangelize, the Trinity, baptism, and more. As always, the Fathers will guide us. 

Christ appeared to many people after the Resurrection, but only to his followers. Why didn't he appear to those who crucified him - to Pilate, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin? Wouldn't that be logical? Non-Orthodox sometimes say "God raised Jesus," but Orthodox never do. Why not? 

What are the parameters of an Orthodox Christian funeral? What is allowed, what is disallowed, and why? Should Orthodox parishes create burial societies? What is the purpose and benefit of that ministry? Fr. John Reimann will join us to discuss this! 

Discover how Jesus fulfills and surpasses the Old Testament tabernacle in this in-depth exploration of John 1:14. Pastor Jonny Ardavanis breaks down seven powerful ways Christ is the greater tabernacle, from His incarnation to His second coming. Learn why grace isn't just a conce ... Show More

Friends, we are reading during these weeks of summer from the thirteenth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, which contains many of the great parables of Jesus. But I want to focus just on one today because it’s so rich both theologically and spiritually: the parable of the wheat and th ... Show More

Fr. Mike continues to explain the parables Christ recites in Jerusalem, specifically focusing on the dangers of preaching God's Word without practicing it in our lives. Jesus goes on to speak against the Scribes and Pharisees, reminding us that he's not only the Prince of ... Show More

In this episode, we reflect on the death of Jesus Christ—not just as a historical event, but as the central act of God's redemptive plan. Why did Jesus have to die? What did the crucifixion accomplish? And how should His suffering shape the way we understand God, ourselves, and s ... Show More

Who is Jesus? In Mark 2 and 3, Jesus makes a claim about himself that’s so immense it almost defies categories. In this text, two incidents are detailed and they both have to do with how we observe the Sabbath day. To understand the magnitude of Jesus’ claim here, we have to unpa ... Show More

As we continue studying the Triumphal Entry of Jesus, better known as Palm Sunday, I present a question for you to ponder, What message are you telling the world? Just like the people that lined the streets of Jerusalem and put palm branches and clothes down to make the way for J ... Show More

Fr. Mike recalls the death of Lazarus, and how Jesus not only allowed himself to be broken by the sorrow that breaks us but also how he took that hopelessness and brought forth life. He also explains how the covenants we've seen in the Old Testament are all leading to the ete ... Show More