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Lent for Everyone: Matthew, Year A
Lent for Everyone: Matthew, Year A provides readers with an inspirational guide through the Lenten season, from Ash Wednesday through the week after Easter. Popular biblical scholar and author N. T. Wright provides his own Scripture translation, brief reflection, and a prayer for each day of the season, helping readers ponder how the text is relevant to their own lives. By the end of the book, readers will have been through the entirety of Matthew, along with Psalm readings for each Sunday. Suitable for both individual and group study and reflection, Wright's Lenten devotional will help make Matthew's gospel your own, thoughtfully and prayerfully, and your journey through Lent a period of discovery and growth.
162 pages, Paperback
First published December 23, 2010
77 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Tom Wright
119 books241 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
He also publishes under N.T. Wright.
He also publishes under N.T. Wright.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 21, 2017
NT Wright definitely has his place in Christian literature. His books that explain what the 'Kingdom of Heaven' means and what the Bible is really saying about what eternity will look like are needed parts of Christian theology.
However, there were two instances that brought up questions for me.
First, on page 45 (Week 2: Friday) NT Wright states, "But what was the real battle? For Jesus, it wasn't the battle they all expected him to fight - with the occupying Roman troops, or with Herod and his supporters, or perhaps even with the Sadducees and their would-be aristocratic clique in charge of Jerusalem and the temple. [...] In fact, as gradually becomes clear, the real battle is against violence itself, against normal human wickedness that shows itself in the desire for brute force to win the day. If you fight fire with fire, fire still wins. And Jesus has come to win the victory over fire itself, over the rule of the bullies and the power-brokers, in favour of the poor, the meek, the mourners, the pure in heart." I believe that the Bible states the real battle Jesus waged was against sin and death, not violence. Violence certainly is a product of sin, aka 'human wickedness', that Jesus overcame, but let's not forget that Jesus will fight a final battle against his enemies when he returns (that will be quite bloody!). In that instance, the violent battle will produce final justice, not more wickedness. This just sounds to me like the "Non-violent Identification" theory, in which Christ didn't die for our sins, but died to show us a non-violent way to overcome our enemies.
Secondly, a theme I saw throughout the book can be summed up by this quote from page 149 (Easter Tuesday): "Jesus' followers are to implement his kingdom by going and making disciples, learners, students, followers who will be shaped by Jesus' example and teaching." Obviously, we are supposed to make disciples, and disciples will follow Jesus' example! But, there is a big skipping over of personal conversion. In this book and another I've read by Wright, the thought goes: Jesus showed us how to live in the Kingdom, so look at what he did and imitate it (follow him). But, how can we see Jesus example for what it is? Do we have the power to imitate Jesus on our own? Jesus himself said, "Truly, I say to you, without a new birth no man is able to see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3). Nowhere does NT Wright make sure his readers understand the personal repentance and faith that lead to the new, spiritual birth of a believer. Without this, we won't be able to see, imitate, or build the kingdom NT Wright explains so thoroughly!
However, there were two instances that brought up questions for me.
First, on page 45 (Week 2: Friday) NT Wright states, "But what was the real battle? For Jesus, it wasn't the battle they all expected him to fight - with the occupying Roman troops, or with Herod and his supporters, or perhaps even with the Sadducees and their would-be aristocratic clique in charge of Jerusalem and the temple. [...] In fact, as gradually becomes clear, the real battle is against violence itself, against normal human wickedness that shows itself in the desire for brute force to win the day. If you fight fire with fire, fire still wins. And Jesus has come to win the victory over fire itself, over the rule of the bullies and the power-brokers, in favour of the poor, the meek, the mourners, the pure in heart." I believe that the Bible states the real battle Jesus waged was against sin and death, not violence. Violence certainly is a product of sin, aka 'human wickedness', that Jesus overcame, but let's not forget that Jesus will fight a final battle against his enemies when he returns (that will be quite bloody!). In that instance, the violent battle will produce final justice, not more wickedness. This just sounds to me like the "Non-violent Identification" theory, in which Christ didn't die for our sins, but died to show us a non-violent way to overcome our enemies.
Secondly, a theme I saw throughout the book can be summed up by this quote from page 149 (Easter Tuesday): "Jesus' followers are to implement his kingdom by going and making disciples, learners, students, followers who will be shaped by Jesus' example and teaching." Obviously, we are supposed to make disciples, and disciples will follow Jesus' example! But, there is a big skipping over of personal conversion. In this book and another I've read by Wright, the thought goes: Jesus showed us how to live in the Kingdom, so look at what he did and imitate it (follow him). But, how can we see Jesus example for what it is? Do we have the power to imitate Jesus on our own? Jesus himself said, "Truly, I say to you, without a new birth no man is able to see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3). Nowhere does NT Wright make sure his readers understand the personal repentance and faith that lead to the new, spiritual birth of a believer. Without this, we won't be able to see, imitate, or build the kingdom NT Wright explains so thoroughly!
February 12, 2016
I read this one off the YouVersion app.
April 9, 2024
Fantastic Lent devotional. Not fluffy but practical and thought provoking, gave me a lot to pray on and think on during the Lent season.
April 22, 2019
This is exactly what I expected: A solid, thoughtful book that took me through the season of Lent, with a focus on Matthew.
Wright is nothing if not prolific, but he makes it seem effortless, as every book he writes is a feast of wisdom. I always enjoy his books, and this was no exception.
Wright is nothing if not prolific, but he makes it seem effortless, as every book he writes is a feast of wisdom. I always enjoy his books, and this was no exception.
April 28, 2025
I thought these devotions were okay. Sometimes he makes interesting points but often I found his language and translation a hindrance rather than a help.
May 3, 2020
Solid devotional reading alongside the Gospel of Matthew. Wright simplifies the big thoughts on the Kingdom to which he is known. One of the marks of a great Christian writer is to write academically/scholarly, pastorally, & devotionally, for the ordinary lay leader.
Having now read more of his works, there is nothing that makes me go “WOW” or “I’ve not thought much about that” but that should be the nature of a devotional. This does its job. I still extracted some important thoughts from the Gospel of Matthew that served as good reminders.
Having now read more of his works, there is nothing that makes me go “WOW” or “I’ve not thought much about that” but that should be the nature of a devotional. This does its job. I still extracted some important thoughts from the Gospel of Matthew that served as good reminders.
May 30, 2015
For some reason, I didn't review this one when I read it before during Lent. Anyway, yet another excellent Wright work in the For Everyone series. I highly recommend it.
April 6, 2014
Lent for Everyone Year A
Title: Lent for Everyone, Matthew, Year A
Author: NT Wright
Publisher:Westminister John Knox Press
Year: 2011
Pages: (e-book) 162
NT Wright Page
NT Wright on Facebook
[I want to make life easier for you, and I don't want the federal government knocking on your door in the middle of the evening asking why you are reading a book review that didn't inform you that the author of said review received a free copy of the book being reviewed in exchange for a review on his blog, so there you go; you have been told. Now you are safe.]
The thing I appreciate the most about NT Wright's work is that he knows full well how to keep the focus on a text as a whole. In other words, even though this devotional focuses on specific passages of the Gospel of Matthew, what we call pericopes, Wright has an amazing ability to keep all of these stories of Jesus focussed in on the one particular and important point he believes Matthew is making: "From start to finish, Matthew's story is about the strange way in which Jesus became king" (64). And Wright does this over and over and over again in this book--which makes the book easy to read, easy to understand, and makes Matthew's Gospel come to life because we are thus able to avoid all sorts of hermeneutical chicanes that other writers place before us when they write devotionals or commentaries.
He manages to keep our eyes focused on this central theme of Matthew's Gospel from start to finish. It guides all of his exegetical and devotional purposes. It strengthens his application of the passages he addresses--because the application is always around the same theme. It gives laser-sharp clarity and accuracy to sections of Scripture that might otherwise be unclear to the reader. It unclutters the cluttered up theology that other authors have given to us when they try to read Matthew (or Mark, or Luke, or John) as if he were making a point about a theological system developed hundreds or thousands of years after his writing of the Gospel (Matthew was writing about Jesus!) To be sure, Matthew probably had some theological purpose in writing; however, I seriously doubt it is anything other than what NT Wright has told us in this (and many others beside) book.
From start to finish, Matthew's story is about the strange way in which Jesus became king. The first two chapters make it clear that he is the king from the line of David, at whose birth Gentile sages come to worship. The closing scene of the gospel makes it clear that with his resurrection and ascension Jesus has now 'come in his kingdom': 'all authority in heaven and on earth', he says, 'has been given to me.' Our problem in the modern world has been that we have taken it for granted that Jesus is not, in any sense, currently 'king of the world.' (It certainly doesn't look like it, we tell ourselves.) So we have assumed that he must have been talking about something else. Something that didn't happen. (64)
This is exactly why I love reading the work of NT Wright. The passages that cause other bible scholars to turn hermeneutical somersaults in order to interpret them, fit cohesively and coherently in Wright's framework of 'this is how Jesus became king.' Furthermore, this is demonstrably so throughout the course of all his writing, not just in this small offering.
Moreover, he's not content to merely leave us wondering, staring up at the sky like Jesus' dazed and confused disciples as it were, what to do with this information. If Jesus is king, and Wright's contention is that he is king, king indeed, then this has profound implications for the church and should more than superficially alter the way we live, and move, and have our being in this world: "What should the church be doing today that would make people realize that 'heaven' is actually in charge here and now?" (8) He continues:
The whole gospel, once more, is written in order to give the answer to that. Again, it's an answer many people today have not begun to think about. Ask yourself this question: how did Jesus come to this point of being king? The answer is obvious. He didn't do it in the way the disciples expected, in the way the crowds wanted, in the way which the chief priests and Pilate assumed he would behave. He didn't follow the normal human path to power, pushing and shoving his way forward, fighting and killing until his position was established. He came as the Servant, the one who took people's infirmities and diseases on to himself, the one who suffered insults and mocking and torture and death. He was obedient, throughout his life, to a different vision of power, a different sort of kingdom-dream. And his resurrection not only show that he was right. It established his kingdom, his type of kingdom, once and for all. (148)
So if heaven is in charge now (Wright continually brings us back to the so-called 'Lord's Prayer' where Jesus teaches us to pray, 'your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven'), what are we doing? Believing? Teaching? Waiting for? Praying? "And what we most want--the strange phenomenon of which prayer itself is a supreme example!--is that his kingdom should come and his will be done on earth as in heaven. When we pray, we pray for that goal but we also pray within that promise" (18). These devotionals, knit together around the central square of Jesus is King here and now, continually redirect our attention back to that central square--one cannot go far in this book without encountering this theme. It's like when Jesus' family comes looking for him and he is seated in the center with people all around himself: he is the center (Mark 3:31-35). And it is to this center (see also Revelation 4) that Wright continually redirects our vision, our focus.
Another important feature of this short book is the manner in which Wright integrated Psalms into the weekly readings. Wright's book A Case for the Psalms (see my review here) was a great book too, but the sort of devotional writing we get in Lent for Everyone is, in my opinion, superior and for precisely the reason I mention above: he continually brings us back to the idea of Jesus being the King and heaven being in charge here and now. (Wright specifically addresses all or parts of Psalms 32, 121, 95, 23, 130 and 31.) Frankly, I cannot speak or write more enthusiastically about the work of NT Wright. The depths he is able to sound in such a short space is, in my opinion, simply profound. Every page leaves me wanting.
A final note about style is that at the end of each day's reading, there is a short prayer, 1-3 lines, and directly linked to the reading just accomplished. These are short prayers, but helpful in that they, again, give a laser sharp focus to the main objective of Matthew's Gospel.
I will close on this note. I have read many commentaries, devotionals, and theologies in my short time on earth. Most of their authors are content to break apart the literary unit of the book being examined and comment, verse by verse, on the text, and tell the reader what each word means in each verse as if the author (be it Matthew or Mark or Paul or whoever) sat down and merely collected a bunch of tales and pasted them together on a papyrus without any sense of what makes good literature. Rarely, and I mean this sincerely, rarely do the commentaries approach the text as a whole, as a complete unit of literature that serves its own purpose and stands alone, if at the same time as part of a larger story, in that purpose. That's what makes Wright's work different and better. He never forgets that we are reading literature, a different type of literature, but literature nonetheless. And he continually reminds us that good authors write with, usually, a singular purpose. Matthew is no different.
Matthew is Matthew. Mark and Luke and John are important, occasionally reference is made to them, and they are necessary as a part of the Gospel story. But Matthew is Matthew and that is enough. Matthew has his own story to tell and he tells it well enough without having to rely on other Gospels to 'fill in missing parts.' There are no missing parts in Matthew. NT Wright's ability to bear all that in mind, from front to back, makes me come back to his work over and over again. I think you will too.
Title: Lent for Everyone, Matthew, Year A
Author: NT Wright
Publisher:Westminister John Knox Press
Year: 2011
Pages: (e-book) 162
NT Wright Page
NT Wright on Facebook
[I want to make life easier for you, and I don't want the federal government knocking on your door in the middle of the evening asking why you are reading a book review that didn't inform you that the author of said review received a free copy of the book being reviewed in exchange for a review on his blog, so there you go; you have been told. Now you are safe.]
The thing I appreciate the most about NT Wright's work is that he knows full well how to keep the focus on a text as a whole. In other words, even though this devotional focuses on specific passages of the Gospel of Matthew, what we call pericopes, Wright has an amazing ability to keep all of these stories of Jesus focussed in on the one particular and important point he believes Matthew is making: "From start to finish, Matthew's story is about the strange way in which Jesus became king" (64). And Wright does this over and over and over again in this book--which makes the book easy to read, easy to understand, and makes Matthew's Gospel come to life because we are thus able to avoid all sorts of hermeneutical chicanes that other writers place before us when they write devotionals or commentaries.
He manages to keep our eyes focused on this central theme of Matthew's Gospel from start to finish. It guides all of his exegetical and devotional purposes. It strengthens his application of the passages he addresses--because the application is always around the same theme. It gives laser-sharp clarity and accuracy to sections of Scripture that might otherwise be unclear to the reader. It unclutters the cluttered up theology that other authors have given to us when they try to read Matthew (or Mark, or Luke, or John) as if he were making a point about a theological system developed hundreds or thousands of years after his writing of the Gospel (Matthew was writing about Jesus!) To be sure, Matthew probably had some theological purpose in writing; however, I seriously doubt it is anything other than what NT Wright has told us in this (and many others beside) book.
From start to finish, Matthew's story is about the strange way in which Jesus became king. The first two chapters make it clear that he is the king from the line of David, at whose birth Gentile sages come to worship. The closing scene of the gospel makes it clear that with his resurrection and ascension Jesus has now 'come in his kingdom': 'all authority in heaven and on earth', he says, 'has been given to me.' Our problem in the modern world has been that we have taken it for granted that Jesus is not, in any sense, currently 'king of the world.' (It certainly doesn't look like it, we tell ourselves.) So we have assumed that he must have been talking about something else. Something that didn't happen. (64)
This is exactly why I love reading the work of NT Wright. The passages that cause other bible scholars to turn hermeneutical somersaults in order to interpret them, fit cohesively and coherently in Wright's framework of 'this is how Jesus became king.' Furthermore, this is demonstrably so throughout the course of all his writing, not just in this small offering.
Moreover, he's not content to merely leave us wondering, staring up at the sky like Jesus' dazed and confused disciples as it were, what to do with this information. If Jesus is king, and Wright's contention is that he is king, king indeed, then this has profound implications for the church and should more than superficially alter the way we live, and move, and have our being in this world: "What should the church be doing today that would make people realize that 'heaven' is actually in charge here and now?" (8) He continues:
The whole gospel, once more, is written in order to give the answer to that. Again, it's an answer many people today have not begun to think about. Ask yourself this question: how did Jesus come to this point of being king? The answer is obvious. He didn't do it in the way the disciples expected, in the way the crowds wanted, in the way which the chief priests and Pilate assumed he would behave. He didn't follow the normal human path to power, pushing and shoving his way forward, fighting and killing until his position was established. He came as the Servant, the one who took people's infirmities and diseases on to himself, the one who suffered insults and mocking and torture and death. He was obedient, throughout his life, to a different vision of power, a different sort of kingdom-dream. And his resurrection not only show that he was right. It established his kingdom, his type of kingdom, once and for all. (148)
So if heaven is in charge now (Wright continually brings us back to the so-called 'Lord's Prayer' where Jesus teaches us to pray, 'your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven'), what are we doing? Believing? Teaching? Waiting for? Praying? "And what we most want--the strange phenomenon of which prayer itself is a supreme example!--is that his kingdom should come and his will be done on earth as in heaven. When we pray, we pray for that goal but we also pray within that promise" (18). These devotionals, knit together around the central square of Jesus is King here and now, continually redirect our attention back to that central square--one cannot go far in this book without encountering this theme. It's like when Jesus' family comes looking for him and he is seated in the center with people all around himself: he is the center (Mark 3:31-35). And it is to this center (see also Revelation 4) that Wright continually redirects our vision, our focus.
Another important feature of this short book is the manner in which Wright integrated Psalms into the weekly readings. Wright's book A Case for the Psalms (see my review here) was a great book too, but the sort of devotional writing we get in Lent for Everyone is, in my opinion, superior and for precisely the reason I mention above: he continually brings us back to the idea of Jesus being the King and heaven being in charge here and now. (Wright specifically addresses all or parts of Psalms 32, 121, 95, 23, 130 and 31.) Frankly, I cannot speak or write more enthusiastically about the work of NT Wright. The depths he is able to sound in such a short space is, in my opinion, simply profound. Every page leaves me wanting.
A final note about style is that at the end of each day's reading, there is a short prayer, 1-3 lines, and directly linked to the reading just accomplished. These are short prayers, but helpful in that they, again, give a laser sharp focus to the main objective of Matthew's Gospel.
I will close on this note. I have read many commentaries, devotionals, and theologies in my short time on earth. Most of their authors are content to break apart the literary unit of the book being examined and comment, verse by verse, on the text, and tell the reader what each word means in each verse as if the author (be it Matthew or Mark or Paul or whoever) sat down and merely collected a bunch of tales and pasted them together on a papyrus without any sense of what makes good literature. Rarely, and I mean this sincerely, rarely do the commentaries approach the text as a whole, as a complete unit of literature that serves its own purpose and stands alone, if at the same time as part of a larger story, in that purpose. That's what makes Wright's work different and better. He never forgets that we are reading literature, a different type of literature, but literature nonetheless. And he continually reminds us that good authors write with, usually, a singular purpose. Matthew is no different.
Matthew is Matthew. Mark and Luke and John are important, occasionally reference is made to them, and they are necessary as a part of the Gospel story. But Matthew is Matthew and that is enough. Matthew has his own story to tell and he tells it well enough without having to rely on other Gospels to 'fill in missing parts.' There are no missing parts in Matthew. NT Wright's ability to bear all that in mind, from front to back, makes me come back to his work over and over again. I think you will too.
April 16, 2020
"Lent for Everyone: Matthew, Year A" provides readers with an inspirational guide through the Lenten season, from Ash Wednesday through the week after Easter. Popular biblical scholar and author N. T. Wright provides his own Scripture translation, brief reflection, and a prayer for each day of the season, helping readers ponder how the text is relevant to their own lives. By the end of the book, readers will have been through the entirety of Matthew, along with Psalm readings for each Sunday.
Wright's Lenten devotional will help make Matthew's gospel your own, thoughtfully and prayerfully, and your journey through Lent a period of discovery and growth.
Wright's Lenten devotional will help make Matthew's gospel your own, thoughtfully and prayerfully, and your journey through Lent a period of discovery and growth.
April 18, 2020
I always learn from NT Wright. He is deeply intelligent yet writes in a way that brings scripture to everyone who will hear him. This has been a wonderful 40+ days of working through Matthew for Lent. I would encourage this book if you are interested in reading a book of the Bible and learning more about Jesus and his world.
April 21, 2020
I loved how these daily readings helped me engage more with the text of the gosple of Matthew, enter its atmosphere, wrestle with it and think through hard, practical, personal questions. It also invites prayer and meditation. It is a great exercise for Lent, I have gained a lot. And plan to read the second one on Mark next Lent.
May 5, 2017
Really useful Lent Bible study book. Not always a fan of Wright's translations but read alongside my preferred translation which was a useful exercise in itself. Left with plenty to think about.
April 7, 2021
N.T. Wright is a deep writer. These writings go far beyond the "make you feel good" readings you sometimes find in devotionals.
April 10, 2021
Really enjoyed this devotional walk thru Matthew. So much focus on the Kingdom of God here and now.
April 16, 2021
Great Lent devotional.
Read
April 15, 2023This book was chosen for a church-wide Lenten study in 2023. Although I participated in weekly group discussions during the season, I believe it could also be useful as an individual study.
April 16, 2023
A daily companion
This is another Lent when Tom Wright's writing has been a constant companion throughout. I have, even at my advanced age, learned about the kingship of Christ.
This is another Lent when Tom Wright's writing has been a constant companion throughout. I have, even at my advanced age, learned about the kingship of Christ.
May 3, 2014
This is one of the best of Wright's For Everyone studies. It really shows forth Wright's groundbreaking work that the best way to understand Jesus' message is as an ushering in of God's Kingdom on earth, which we as Christians enter by being grafted into the people of Israel (a spiritual, covenant people). I believe the title of Wright's translation of the New Testament is called, the Kingdom New Testament, and for good reason.
Reading back through the gospel of Matthew, which is what this book takes you through during Lent, you realize that it is very dense. A different kind of dense from the gospel of John, but dense no less. There are many difficult parables, and one of the main takeaways for me from this book is Wright's idea that Jesus' message was in some ways so radical (in its politics as well as other ways) at the time that parables were one of the only ways he could tell his message without getting arrested and thrown in prison right on the spot. For example, there is one parable, I forget which chapter but somewhere in the middle of the book, that talks about a reed blowing in the wind. Wright tells us that Jesus' listeners at the time would have all known that as a reference to the coins in use in that region at the time--they had reeds on them as a symbol of Herod's house. So, this was a veiled way of Jesus calling out Herod's wickedness.
Beyond the excellent material such as I have just described, this book helped me walk through a long, cold, and tough Lent. Amy and I moved to Milwaukee literally days before Ash Wednesday, and this book, with its grounding in a faith in a persecuted and risen Lord, helped give me a proper perspective. I love the way that Wright is not afraid to confront Christians and to bring up politics, but always to resolve his messages with the redemptive mission of Christ, which unites us.
Reading back through the gospel of Matthew, which is what this book takes you through during Lent, you realize that it is very dense. A different kind of dense from the gospel of John, but dense no less. There are many difficult parables, and one of the main takeaways for me from this book is Wright's idea that Jesus' message was in some ways so radical (in its politics as well as other ways) at the time that parables were one of the only ways he could tell his message without getting arrested and thrown in prison right on the spot. For example, there is one parable, I forget which chapter but somewhere in the middle of the book, that talks about a reed blowing in the wind. Wright tells us that Jesus' listeners at the time would have all known that as a reference to the coins in use in that region at the time--they had reeds on them as a symbol of Herod's house. So, this was a veiled way of Jesus calling out Herod's wickedness.
Beyond the excellent material such as I have just described, this book helped me walk through a long, cold, and tough Lent. Amy and I moved to Milwaukee literally days before Ash Wednesday, and this book, with its grounding in a faith in a persecuted and risen Lord, helped give me a proper perspective. I love the way that Wright is not afraid to confront Christians and to bring up politics, but always to resolve his messages with the redemptive mission of Christ, which unites us.
March 8, 2014
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book goes through the entire Gospel of Matthew during the Lenten season. It breaks it down into daily bites, not too large to be cumbersome. And if you're even more stressed for time, like I usually am, the author breaks it further down into the exact portion of the daily reading that he wants you to focus on. This brings it down from a 5-10 minute reading to a 1-2 minute reading. This has made it so much easier for me, because I will admit, even though I have a daily Bible reading plan, I don't do it every day. I don't have time. I tend to catch myself up in groups of 3-4 days.
After the gospel reading is the author's commentary. This commentary relates to both modern day life to make it more understandable for us, and brings it into context of how the early Christians and Jews would comprehend it. This explanation of the early Christians and Jews really helped me to understand their culture more, instead of seeing them as ancient people who are far removed from our own reality.
Finally, after the author's commentary is a very short prayer, bringing everything to a beautiful and concise close.
I really enjoyed this book, and continue to use it throughout this season of Lent.
This book goes through the entire Gospel of Matthew during the Lenten season. It breaks it down into daily bites, not too large to be cumbersome. And if you're even more stressed for time, like I usually am, the author breaks it further down into the exact portion of the daily reading that he wants you to focus on. This brings it down from a 5-10 minute reading to a 1-2 minute reading. This has made it so much easier for me, because I will admit, even though I have a daily Bible reading plan, I don't do it every day. I don't have time. I tend to catch myself up in groups of 3-4 days.
After the gospel reading is the author's commentary. This commentary relates to both modern day life to make it more understandable for us, and brings it into context of how the early Christians and Jews would comprehend it. This explanation of the early Christians and Jews really helped me to understand their culture more, instead of seeing them as ancient people who are far removed from our own reality.
Finally, after the author's commentary is a very short prayer, bringing everything to a beautiful and concise close.
I really enjoyed this book, and continue to use it throughout this season of Lent.
May 9, 2014
I used this book as a Lenten devotional. I was proud of myself that there were only 2 days that I forgot to read it. I don't think I've ever done that well before when trying to do a reading every day during Lent. As suggested by the title it takes you through the book of Matthew over the course of Lent with Sundays being a Psalm instead of a passage from Matthew. I enjoyed it for the most part. It definitely made me think about some passages in ways I never had before or made me focus on ones that I have probably read at least a dozen times but never really thought about.
As always in something that's been written by a human about the Bible, there were occasionally some interpretations of things that I didn't agree with. For the most part though I found it to be a really good Lenten devotional. We all bring our own biases and experiences to reading the Bible and any human being who thinks they have the definitive answers is guaranteed to be wrong, so I don't disparage the author for his views in places where we disagree on things. If you are looking for a daily devotional for Lent I would recommend this one.
As always in something that's been written by a human about the Bible, there were occasionally some interpretations of things that I didn't agree with. For the most part though I found it to be a really good Lenten devotional. We all bring our own biases and experiences to reading the Bible and any human being who thinks they have the definitive answers is guaranteed to be wrong, so I don't disparage the author for his views in places where we disagree on things. If you are looking for a daily devotional for Lent I would recommend this one.
May 24, 2011
I downloaded this study guide/devotional for Lent for my Kindle as I wanted something lightweight for travelling. It focuses on Matthew's Gospel, with commentary taking us from the beginning right through the passion stories. Sundays - other than Easter Day itself - take a look at some of the Psalms.
The Bible sections in focus are included as part of the book, making it easy to read without having to find other texts; however there were recommendations of longer passages to read, which was simple enough to do with the Bibles I have, also on my Kindle.
Tom Wright's style of commentary is well-written, relevant, with plenty of anecdotes and some helpful suggestions. I read a passage each day from Ash Wednesday, right through Lent - and was then pleased to discover that the book did not in fact stop on Easter Saturday, but continued for another week.
One of the best devotional/low-key study guides I've read. Could be done any year, as there are no actual dates, just days related to the Lenten/Easter period. Definitely recommended.
The Bible sections in focus are included as part of the book, making it easy to read without having to find other texts; however there were recommendations of longer passages to read, which was simple enough to do with the Bibles I have, also on my Kindle.
Tom Wright's style of commentary is well-written, relevant, with plenty of anecdotes and some helpful suggestions. I read a passage each day from Ash Wednesday, right through Lent - and was then pleased to discover that the book did not in fact stop on Easter Saturday, but continued for another week.
One of the best devotional/low-key study guides I've read. Could be done any year, as there are no actual dates, just days related to the Lenten/Easter period. Definitely recommended.
April 29, 2014
This was an excellent devotional through Lent, and I plan to type up some of my favorite quotes a little later. But one thing I especially enjoyed about the book was what Wright did with the first post-Lent/Easter week. We're used to reading these stories "as the first audience would have heard them" to glean meaning and understanding. And that's important. But Wright points out that it's also beneficial to read the stories from the perspective of those early Christians who knew Christ was risen? How would they have read the gospels when they were first circulated? So he selects a few passages for the first week of Easter and reviews them from that perspective--Knowing that Christ is risen, how might we read this passage differently? And while I wouldn't have thought so, I found it a blessing and an encouragement to do it that way. I applaud Wright for constantly being able to teach me something new.
April 18, 2020
I've been in churches my whole life, and if I am not careful, I can become complacent about familiar stories from Scripture. Wright has a way of moving me out of the familiar and challenging me to see Scripture as if for the first time.
I choose a Lenten devotional from Wright every season exactly for that reason.
This is the second time I've been through Year A, and I enjoy seeing my notes from the previous time. These are reminders that I am growing and changing and yet have so much more room to grow and change.
I choose a Lenten devotional from Wright every season exactly for that reason.
This is the second time I've been through Year A, and I enjoy seeing my notes from the previous time. These are reminders that I am growing and changing and yet have so much more room to grow and change.
April 18, 2020
I read this as part of a reading plan for Lent on YouVersion.com, and it was excellent. Wright is excellent at pointing us to the radical message of the Lord's coming Kingdom, and forces us to reflect that Jesus's message in the gospels is not a safe or fuzzy one, but powerful and life changing. Highly recommended.
Read a second time for Lent 2020, during the Coronavirus panic, and if anything even better, speaking the peace of the cross into the challenging times of that year.
Read a second time for Lent 2020, during the Coronavirus panic, and if anything even better, speaking the peace of the cross into the challenging times of that year.
April 13, 2020
Tom Wright or N.T. Wright writes two types of book.
Tom = easier to read and are for anyone, mainly for the popular Christian market.
N.T. = Theological students.
This is a Tom!
Super book for daily morning devotionals. It’s easy to read and follow - under pinning the Book is his theological belief that the Gospel announce the Kingdom Reign of God that has now begun, through Jesus teaching, death, resurrection and ascension.
I would highly recommend!
Tom = easier to read and are for anyone, mainly for the popular Christian market.
N.T. = Theological students.
This is a Tom!
Super book for daily morning devotionals. It’s easy to read and follow - under pinning the Book is his theological belief that the Gospel announce the Kingdom Reign of God that has now begun, through Jesus teaching, death, resurrection and ascension.
I would highly recommend!
May 10, 2011
A really good guide through the period of Lent. Sometimes Wright's use of his own New Testament translation is a bit off putting but then again it sometimes provides a new insight to a well known passage of scripture. Definitely a good read.
April 28, 2014
This was my second year reading through Lent with N.T. Wright. Have to admit that Matthew is not my favorite gospel, but Wright made the story come alive and make so much sense that I didn't mind the Matthew part. I was sorry to see it end. And for sure, I'll be reading Mark next year!
February 10, 2016
Just picked this up at the Bookmark at 2PC, a Lenton Devotional covering the entire book of Matthew by my favorite theologian N.T. Wright. Written in layman's terms that all readers can enjoy. I have some catching up to do.
April 19, 2012
4.5 stars
May 11, 2013
One of the best devotionals I've ever used. It's progression and focus during Lent are very profitable to anyone seeking honesty & renewal in their relationship with God. Highly recommend.
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