Category: Gospels
The End of the Age!
Scripture reading for February 4th: Matthew 24:1-28, Psalm 24, Proverbs 7:1-5
As Jesus was nearing the end of His time on earth, He took time to answer the disciple’s questions concerning events that would take place in the future. One characteristic of our great God is that He knows the end from the beginning. He has perfect knowledge of future events and has even written them down as proof for us that He alone is God. That is the nature of prophesy and Jesus spoke prophetically to His close followers.
They had two questions following His statement that the temple in Jerusalem would be torn down, with not one stone left upon another. They wanted to know when this would happen and what would be the signs leading up to this event and the end of the age. “Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, bu the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. These are the beginnings of birth pains.” (Matthew 24:4-8)
Jesus answered these questions with a straight-forward warning against deception. Deception would be a sign of the coming end of the age. There would be religious deception coming from people who came in His name, but were really not His. These people would be working to deceive many people. This would require watchfulness and discernment. The disciples must know what was real and be able to spot these deceivers. They would need to exercise caution and stay close to the Lord Himself.
There would also be turmoil in the world among the nations and peoples. Wars and rumors of wars would abound and earthquakes and famines would bring destruction and pain to many people. These would be just the beginning of this time of the end. It would be like labor pains in a woman ready to give birth. The time would be near and those who had spiritual eyes could see and know what it would be like. Do you see signs of the end of the age? Are you ready for Jesus’ return?
As a hen gathers her chicks!
Scripture reading for February 3rd: Matthew 23:20-39, Psalm 23, Proverbs 6:27-35
Mother hen’s are very protective. I remember a story that happened after the eruption of Mt. St. Helens. A prairie chicken mother was killed instantly and frozen in time by the searing wave of heat that came from the eruption. A worker in the area a few days later came upon the charred body of the hen and gave it a kick with his foot. Out from under the body of the hen came a small brood of live chicks who had survived by huddling under their mother who gave her life protecting them.
Jesus used a similar example as He looked out over Jerusalem after giving the religious leaders a prophetic warning of their need to repent of hypocrisy and find a true relationship with God. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.'” (Matthew 23:37-39) God’s heart is to save His people just like the prairie hen gave her life to save her chicks. The problem with sinful man is their willingness to come to Jesus for salvation. Religious people like to work for their salvation and put on the religious shows that Jesus had just labeled ‘hypocrisy’. When God tried to warn them by sending His messengers the prophets and now His own Son, they killed the prophets and now were ready to do away with the Son!
God, Himself, must draw a person before they can be saved. (John 6:44) The Holy Spirit works through preaching to convict of sin, righteousness, and the coming judgment. (John 16:8-10) Jesus Christ is the way, truth and life, and no one can come to the Father but by Him. The Trinity is unified in their desire to see all saved and come to safety under God’s protective wings. The only thing keeping us away is our willingness to welcome their help!
Woe to you hypocrites!
Scripture reading for February 2nd: Matthew 23:1-19, Psalm 22, Proverbs 6:20-26
Hypocrisy was one of Jesus’ pet peeves. The word for hypocrisy implies “play-acting”, and describes a person who takes a role for a play and learns a part to put on a show. Unfortunately, religious people are very prone to this type of thing and it made Jesus angry. He addressed the crowds that came to Him concerning their teachers and leaders. He told them that they should obey them and show them respect as they taught the law of God, but that they should not do as they did. They very simply did not practice what they preached! (Matthew 23:3)
Hypocrites do what they do for men and not for God. They like to be seen as righteous and above the common person. They wear special clothes, like to have titles and social prominence and preeminence. In Jesus’ day, the liked the title of “Rabbi” which meant “teacher” and “father” which was a term endearing respect. Jesus reminded that they had one Father, who was in heaven, and one “Teacher” who was the Christ! If they truly wanted to be great, they should be the servant of all and humbly serve. (Matthew 23:5-12)
Hypocrites, by play-acting, actually hinder God’s kingdom from advancing because those who lead in this manner are really building up their own kingdom. They are still part of the devil’s crowd and have not experienced true redemption. They teach others to do as they do instead of humbly repenting of their sins and finding true freedom by learning from Christ and finding God as their heavenly father. They build large followings of people that use them as their “teacher” and “father” and learn to put on the same show for men!
Woe is the end result of this lifestyle. Woe is trouble and heartache and ultimately weeping and gnashing of teeth. It is God’s displeasure for eternity as a consequence of seeking man’s approval for a short time by putting on a show. It is a condition that Jesus Himself wanted no one to experience so He warned against hypocrisy! My prayer for myself is that God would continue to reveal hypocrisy in my own life and lead me in His ways. I want to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Wouldn’t you rather too?
The Power of God and Scripture!
Scripture reading for February 1st: Matthew 22:23-46, Psalm 21, Proverbs 6:1-19
Today’s reading tells of a group of Sadducees who came to Jesus to test Him. The Sadducees were what we might describe as non-charismatic Jews of Jesus’ day. They did not believe in miracles and especially the resurrection of the dead. For them, this was not reasonable and was just superstitious. They contrasted with the Pharisees who did believe in miracles and the resurrection of the dead. These Sadducees had what they thought was an question that would prove Jesus was not the Messiah.
Their question concerned the teaching of Moses where if a man died without having children, his brother was to marry his widow and have children for his brother. They proposed that this happened to a widow who had been married to seven brothers who had all died without producing children. (Matthew 22:23-32) (Deuteronomy 25:5-6) Their question for Jesus was, “Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?” (Matthew 22:27)
“Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. But about the resurrection of the dead–have you not read what God said to you, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” ” (Matthew 22:29-32) Jesus turned their question into a time of teaching for them. He gave them truth to help their understanding but did not fall into the trap that they had designed. He took the Scripture and clearly showed that God viewed the patriarchs as alive. The greater need was not to argue about issues of heaven, but to believe in resurrection and eternal life!
God’s power is sufficient to meet our every need. If we have honest questions, God can help us with answers. He has given us His Word to know truth and to bring faith alive in our hearts. We must take Him at His word and believe! All who come to God must believe that He is alive and rewards those who seek Him! (Hebrews 11:6) Many are like the Sadducees, sad because they don’t believe the Scriptures or the power of God!
Embarrassed at the wedding!
Scripture reading for January 31: Matthew 22:1-22, Psalms 20, Proverbs 5:21-23
Jesus knew that the religious leaders were plotting to arrest Him. He spoke to them again in a parable that would help them to see their precarious position. This parable had some common elements for the culture of that day that all who heard could relate to. There was the King who had a son that was getting married and a planned wedding banquet. There were the servants sent out to remind the guests of the banquet and confirm their attendance. There were those invited to this wedding banquet and then there were those who were found on the street and invited to come and fill the banquet hall for the dinner. There was one man who attended the banquet without proper clothes. This cast of characters and the wedding banquet was woven into a simple story that could bring understanding to those with ears to hear and hearts that were teachable.
The servants were sent out and went to the invited guests. These guests either ignored the invitation or mistreated and even killed the servants sent to remind them. The King was enraged and sent His army to destroy those invited guests and burn their city. Other servants were then sent out to find anyone, good or bad, who would come to the banquet. The King arrived and noticed a man who had no wedding clothes. This man had no excuse and was bound and thrown from the banquet hall. The moral of this parable was, “For many are invited but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14)
This story was directed at the religious leaders of the Jews and they knew it. They were the invited guests who had mistreated the prophets that the King (God) had sent to them. They had even killed some of them and were at present plotting to kill the King’s Son. God had judged the nation by sending them into captivity for seventy years and their city was burned. The servants would then be sent out to gather all who would come–Jew and Gentile. The only requirement was proper wedding clothes! The man who had no proper clothes was thrown out into the darkness (hell). This was and is a warning to all who accept the invitation. The proper garments are deeds of righteousness done by faith. (Revelation 19:7-9) Are you ready for the wedding?
The Capstone!
Scripture reading for January 30th: Matthew 21:28-46, Psalm 19:7-17, Proverbs 5:19-20
Jesus was well aware of the religious leaders plans to have Him killed. He told a parable about a landowner who had a vineyard that he rented to some farmers. At harvest time he sent servants to collect his share of the fruit as the rent due. When the servants came, the tenants seized them and beat them and killed some. Others were sent and were mistreated too. Finally, the owner sent his only son to collect the rent. When the tenants saw the son, they plotted to kill him and take his inheritance for themselves. Jesus asked the question: “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.” (Matthew 21:40-41) This parable should have revealed truth to the religious leaders, if they had been wanting to hear.
Jesus then quoted for them a familiar messianic passage: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.'” (Psalm 118:22-23) An alternate translation renders ‘capstone’ as ‘cornerstone’. Jesus is the cornerstone of the new temple. He was telling them that they would loose out on the kingdom and it would be given to those who would produce the fruit of the kingdom. They must humble themselves and fall on Him for mercy or He would fall on them and shatter them in judgment! (Matthew 21:43-44)
This teaching was hard for the proud religious leaders to swallow. They knew that Jesus was talking about them and wanted to silence Him rather than listen and obey. They wanted to arrest Him then and there, but were afraid of the people. Proper response to Jesus through humble brokenness and obedient faith would have brought cleansing and their addition into the new temple that had Jesus as the capstone (cornerstone). Have you cast yourself on the Stone of Jesus? Do you know that you are anchored to the Rock that is the cornerstone? Take time today to reaffirm your faith and love for Jesus! Religious people are in the most danger!
The King Comes!
Scripture reading for January 29th: Matthew 21:1-27, Psalm 19:1-6, Proverbs 5:15-18
Jesus gave instructions to his disciples before entering Jerusalem. They were to go into the village and find a donkey with her colt tied there and bring them to Jesus. Jesus was in need of a special ride into town, because this would fulfill prophesy written by Zechariah nearly 600 years earlier. “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'” (Zechariah 9:9) God has everything planned and for our faith and benefit, it is written down.
Jesus entered Jerusalem as their King and a large crowd followed Him and welcomed Him shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9) The whole city was stirred and began to question whether or not this was Messiah. Most considered Jesus to be a prophet of some sort. However, the chants of the crowd seemed to indicate that this might be the long-awaited Messiah.
” Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’” (Matthew 21:12-13) What Jesus did next was shocking to the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. He was angry as He turned over the tables and drove those who were changing money out of the temple. This King took control over the temple and those in authority wondered where He got that authority! His words were those spoken by Jeremiah as he addressed the religious leaders for their hypocrisy right before the captivity! (Jeremiah 7:9-11)
It is easy to cry “Hosanna” and welcome the King. It is not so easy to have the King come showing anger over our sins! Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit now. Are you allowing things in your body or spirit that will arouse the anger of a Holy King should He visit? It is better to do housecleaning now and be ready to welcome Him! Jesus came riding on a donkey to Jerusalem, but next time will come riding on a white horse as “King of Kings!” (Revelation 19:11-16)
Can You Drink the Cup?
Scripture reading for January 28th: Matthew 20, Psalm 18:43-50, Proverbs 5:7-14
Jesus spoke plainly to His disciples about His coming death by crucifixion. He did not want them to be unprepared for the fiery trial that He would go through and that they would experience themselves. “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priest and the teachers of the law. They will condemn Him to death and will turn Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day He will be raised to life!” (Matthew 20:18-19) Jesus did not head for Jerusalem unaware of what awaited Him. It was a cup of suffering and a horrible death by crucifixion.
After this revelation to His disciples, the mother of James and John came to Jesus and knelt down to ask a favor of Him. “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” (Matthew 20:21–22) What this mother thought was a favor would involve a cup of suffering beyond what anyone could imagine!
The brothers answered in the affirmative! They could drink the cup, whatever that was. This was their own human estimate of their strength. Jesus assured them that they would drink from His cup, but that the places that they desired were not His to grant, but that honor was for those that the Father prepared it for. (Matthew 20:22-23) This jostling for position caused jealousy among the disciples; Jesus called them together and warned them not to jostle for position. The way to become great was not by lording it over one another, but by becoming the greatest servant. He, Himself, had set them the example and they should follow Him!
As we ponder this passage, Jesus’ question, “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” stands out to me. I am thankful that He drank the cup of God’s wrath for my sin! I don’t have to drink that cup! But I am called to be His servant and that will involve suffering and carrying a cross! I must die to myself and live fully for Him. Will I drink from that cup?
God’s design for marriage!
Scripture reading for January 27th: Matthew 19, Psalm 18:30-42, Proverbs 5:1-6
Marriage is an institution that God created Himself with a purpose. A marriage between a man and a woman was to provide companionship for both the man and woman throughout their lives. God determined that it was not good for Adam to be alone and that he needed a suitable helpmate. (Genesis 2:18-25) Marriage was also for procreation and the raising of godly children who would know and serve God. (Malachi 2:15-16) God knew that this could best be done by a man and a woman in a covenant relationship. Their love for each other and God would provide an environment that the children could learn about His love for them.
But sin entered the world through the first couple, Adam and Eve. They decided that they could do life by being like God themselves and disobeying His one command to them. This brought death to their relationship with God and strife to their own relationship. Work had sweat and toil and childbirth had pain. There was tension between them because they both wanted to be in control and God had set an order in the home. The man was to be a priest and protector but sin marred his ability to do that right. The result was broken families, multiple marriages, fighting and bickering and children who were not raised to fear God! God’s heart was broken for the children that should be His and take His glory to the world!
Jesus was asked a question to trap Him concerning divorce! “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” “Haven’t you read,” He replied, “that God made them male and female,” and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:3-6)
God’s design was clearly stated by Jesus Christ. He strongly advocated marriage, between a man and woman (not two men or two women!) God joins them together and man should not separate what He has joined. Jesus went on to teach that Moses allowed divorce because of hard hearts, not God’s design. The only exception given where divorce was allowed was adultery. Let’s pay attention to God’s design!
Dealing with offense!
Scripture reading for January 26th: Matthew 18, Psalm 18:20-29, Proverbs 4:24-27
One of the major disruptions in our relationship with others and with God comes from human conflict. We get offended when someone says or does something that violates us or one we love. Instead of dealing with it in the biblical way outlined in Matthew 18, we often take matters into our own hands and either ignore that person, speak evil of them to others, or get revenge in some way. Today we want to remind ourselves of God’s way of resolving offenses.
“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ But if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuse to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” (Matthew 18:15-17)
Jesus taught His followers the proper way to resolve sin issues with another person. The first step anyone should take is to pray and examine one’s own heart. Jesus had just gotten through dealing with the disciples on who was going to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Pride and lording it over others often causes conflict and offense. He told them that to offend one of the little children by our actions was a very dangerous thing for us and them! (Matthew 18:5-9) The next step was to go to the brother who had sinned against you and show him his fault. This matter was to be settled with as few people involved as possible. Going in a humble attitude and appealing to the person should bring a resolution.
If this did not work, then we should enlist the help of two or three others of mature character. Another discrete meeting with these witnesses and the offenders was to establish the facts and appeal for resolution. If this did not work, the church should be brought together and the offender again appealed to. Refusal here would result in expulsion from membership. God’s desire in all this is forgiveness and restoration. The ultimate goal of expulsion would be restoration and healing! Let’s follow the Bible!