In discussing how fast "faith can move mountains," Matthew cuts Mark's three-day story in half. He speeds up the pace, chronologically and theologically. 

The disciples slept through Judas' treachery no matter how much Jesus tried to shake them awake. From what social and spiritual stupors must we awake? What are we sleeping through? 

There is a case to be made that this naked boy was really an angel sent to leave Jesus a change of clothes . . .

These people that I read about and had put on a pedestal were no better than me. They sucked just as much as I do. But God still used them and told us their stories. That gave me hope.

It’s now time to address that scythe wielding, six winged, cherub whose coming heralds fear in the heart of humanity [read that reference again] . . .