Category: Gospels
Sabbath Dilemma!
Scripture reading for January 15th: Matthew12:1-21, Psalms 10:9-18, Proverbs 3:11-12
“Going from that place, He went into their synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:9-12)
The Pharisees were always threatened by Jesus and His simple teaching and miracles. But success or miracles doesn’t always make one receptive to the good news that Jesus is God and came to seek and save lost. These Pharisees had set up rules for behavior on the Sabbath and anything that smacked of “work” was strictly forbidden. They watched Jesus with an accusing eye! Earlier, on a Sabbath, they spotted Him and His disciples picking some grain as they walked along to the next town. This was confronted and Jesus taught them through the Scripture about God desiring mercy, not sacrifice. (Hosea 6:6) (Matthew 12:7-8)
Jesus went to their synagogue on purpose. There he found a man with a shriveled hand. These Pharisees asked Him if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. (Matthew 12:10) Jesus gave them a practical example of a sheep in a pit and how the owner would surely rescue his sheep on the Sabbath. Men were more valuable than sheep! He then healed the man’s hand! The lesson was simple and powerful and should have convinced anyone with ears to hear and eyes to see that Jesus was showing mercy. This was what God desired!
“But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.” (Matthew 12:14) Religion cares more about its rules than about mercy for the hurting. These religious Pharisees would not be taught by Jesus Himself! For healing a man on the Sabbath, these religious leaders plotted to murder the sinless Son of Man, who was Lord of the Sabbath! The moral of this story is to watch out for a religious spirit. How you view Jesus and the Scripture can determine whether you follow Him or plot murder! Learning from Jesus brings Sabbath rest! (Matthew 11:28-30)
Jesus our Rest!
Scripture reading for January 14th: Matthew 11, Psalm 10:1-8, Proverbs 3:7-10
Jesus centered his early ministry in the region around the Sea of Galilee where there were big crowds of people who gathered to hear Him. Jesus had performed many miracles of healing and deliverance for sick and bound people but many people refused to repent of their sins and believe in Him. Jesus spoke plainly to the crowds about their condition and the coming judgment on their sins if they failed to repent.
“Woe to you Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” (Matthew 11:21-24)
Miracles either open a heart to the Lord or harden the heart further when there is no response. They bring knowledge of God’s love and power in a visible form that makes a person more accountable than if they had no personal knowledge. Proud hearts refuse to believe and make excuses for what has happened and bring judgment on themselves in the end. The church of Jesus Christ has been given power to lay hands on the sick and cast out devils as well as to see miracles come from the ministry of the Holy Spirit through His saints. We in the church often feel that this is the answer to all the problems and that great growth would occur if we could just see more miracles. This was not the case with Jesus Christ and His ministry in this part of Israel!
However, for those who will listen and come to Jesus, He promises true rest! “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) Repentance and rest bring true salvation!
Not Peace, but a Sword!
Scripture reading for January 13th: Matthew 10:24-42, Psalms 9:11-20, Proverbs 3:3-6
Jesus Christ is the “Prince of Peace” according to Isaiah 9:6! Jesus lived a life of peace but preached a message that sometimes stirred up violent rejection and spiritual warfare. In our reading today, Jesus was preparing His disciples for ministry in the world and the warfare that would result from spiritual conflict with the devil and those in league with him.
“”Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn “a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law–a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.” (Matthew 10:34-36) Jesus offers us peace with God through the forgiveness of our sins. In order to obtain this promise, we must repent or turn away from sin (breaking of God’s law) and turn toward God through Jesus Christ. This all comes by faith through God’s grace and mercy freely given to those who believe. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
Why does this message sometimes cause violence or division between people and even close family members? The message of the cross is offensive to the human ego and religion’s rules. We all want to work for our salvation or do something to earn it. Religion is based on man’s efforts to do enough to appease God. Even the Jews had drifted into a works-oriented religion instead of “by grace through faith”. Jesus wisely taught His disciples about the conflict that would happen between the flesh and the Spirit. When we turn to Jesus and begin to move in the Spirit, some will be convicted or resent this conviction and react in violence.
The disciples must not react, but keep on loving God and following Him. “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:37-38) God’s will is first and our love for God is demonstrated by taking up a cross! This cross represents death to our own desires and even the need for acceptance by our own family. Where is your heart today? Are you worthy of the Lord?
Shake the Dust Off!
Scripture reading for January 12th: Matthew 10:1-23, Psalms 9:1-10, Proverbs 3:1-2
Jesus first taught His disciples to go out and preach to those who were lost in Israel. “As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:7-8) They were empowered with authority to take the message of repentance to the Jewish people and to demonstrate God’s willingness and ability to heal and deliver. They had not bought these gifts, but had freely received the power from Jesus and must freely give to all who would receive. They were also to travel light and live off the gifts and hospitality of those that they would preach to. Each worker was worthy of his keep!
Jesus knew that not everyone would receive them with hospitality. Some would reject the message and maybe even mistreat these disciples. He told them so up front so that they would not be discouraged or surprised by the treatment. In fact, Jesus gave them some practical advice for dealing with those who would not receive: “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:14-16)
When we share the gospel of Jesus Christ with people, we are doing more than we may realize. Every time we share, God is offering eternal life to those that hear. They are accountable for their actions. If they refuse the messengers, they are really rejecting God and bring the eternal judgment of God’s wrath on themselves. If they hear and accept, they bring God’s favor and and eternal life into their being. Jesus told the disciples that they were to shake the dust off their feet upon leaving the homes or town where they were not welcomed. That dust would be a witness against those who rejected the Lord’s messengers. They were not to waste time trying to argue or debate because they must go to others who would receive. Let’s think about this the next time we share the gospel!
The Harvest is Plentiful, Workers are Few!
Scripture reading for January 11th: Matthew 9:18-38
Farmers know the pressure when the crops are ripe and the weather is just right for harvesting. I speak from years of experience in raising grain on an Iowa farm. Farmers know that the window of opportunity is narrow and they must make haste before the storm comes and ruins the ripe grain. An urgency and focus comes upon them that even deprives them of their desire to eat until their task is finished and the precious grain is in the barn.
“Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When He saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. As the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into the harvest field.” (Matthew 9:35-38)
Jesus came to earth with a mission to seek and save lost sinners. He likened them to ripe grain, ready to harvest. He quickly went into the harvest field healing the sick and delivering those who were demon possessed. His compassion and power drew large crowds of hurting and hungry people. Jesus was moved by their needs like a shepherd would care for his own sheep. He spoke to His disciples about the harvest and the need for more workers. Prayer for workers must be made to the Lord of the harvest, His Father in order to solve this problem.
Prayer is conversation with God and listening to God for an answer. We ask and then we wait for instructions or the answer and these disciples must have asked for the laborers. It is interesting to note that in the next breath, Jesus was sending them out as the answer to that prayer! “He called the twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority to drive out spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.” “Go to the lost sheep of Israel”. (Matthew 10:1, 6) This command to pray is needed yet today by the followers of Jesus. There is a ripe harvest and a time of opportunity that needs all the workers gathering it in with urgency! Will you obey?
God Loves the IRS?
Scripture reading for January 10th: Matthew 9:1-17, Psalm 7:10-17, Proverbs 2:16-19
Have you ever been audited by the IRS? Did your IRS agent invite you over to his or her house? Jesus came by Matthew’s tax collection booth and called him to follow. Matthew responded by leaving and following Him. He invited Jesus to come over to his house and Jesus came and ate and laughed with Matthew’s “sinner” friends, causing quite a stir among the religious community!
“When the Pharisees saw this, they asked the disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:11-13) Jesus loves all men, but He can only bring health to those who realize that they are sick. Those who have no knowledge or cannot admit that they need a doctor will not find healing. Those who cannot admit to sin cannot find repentance because they think that they don’t need it.
This is the danger of religion. Religion reduces our righteousness or spiritual health to some man-made rules that we try to keep. We are told that if we just do this or confess to that, all will be well with our soul. These Pharisees meticulously tried to keep God’s law and judged those who did not do all that they had commanded as hopeless sinners. They failed to realize that behind God’s law was a merciful Father who would show mercy to those who came humbly and asked. (1st John 1:9)
Our Father sent Jesus to walk and live among His people, demonstrating His love and desire that all would repent and be made righteous. Our righteousness is a gift of God by grace through faith in Jesus, not the result of our keeping His laws or man’s religious rules. (Ephesians 2:8-10) Jesus loves all sinners, even tax collectors like Matthew. Responding to Jesus by repentance and faith leads to following Jesus and eternal life! Praise the Lord for His mercy! That’s what He desires rather than sacrifice of keeping some rules. Thank God Jesus loves sinners such as I!
Jesus, Please Leave!
Scripture reading for January 9th: Matthew 8, Psalm 7:1-9, Proverbs 2:12-15
Jesus had just left a fruitful place of ministry in Capernaum in Peter’s house where he healed many sick and cast out numerous demons. The Holy Spirit led Jesus to cross the Sea of Galilee to a region known as Gadarenes. This was Gentile territory and the people there raised lots of pigs. But it wasn’t for the pigs that Jesus went!
On His way there with the disciples, they encountered a severe storm on the water that threatened to capsize their boat. Even the experienced fishermen among the group were frantic, and awoke Jesus from his sleep in the bow of the boat. Jesus stood up and rebuked the storm and a great calm settled over the sea. He also rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith. (Matthew 8:24-27) They were amazed at His authority and wondered who He really was.
Upon arrival, the disciples and Jesus were greeted by two men who were demon possessed. These men came out of a cemetery and spoke directly to Jesus, addressing Him as the “Son of God”. It is interesting to note that the devil knew Jesus and recognized Him when the disciples were still wondering! These evil spirits also knew that Jesus had authority over them and begged Jesus to at least send them into a large herd of pigs grazing nearby. Jesus did not dialogue with these spirits, but simply said, “Go!” Their exodus caused the pigs to rush headlong over a steep bank into the sea and all were drowned.
Mark tells the story in a little different manner giving more details than Matthew. Mark tells of one man whose name was “Legion” for the many demons in him. Mark also numbers the pigs, saying that there were nearly 2000 in that herd! As Jesus was leaving, the man who was delivered begged to follow Jesus in his boat, but Jesus sent him back to share with his family and the region what God had done for him. (Mark 5:11-20)
The saddest part of this story is the people of that town’s reaction to this man’s deliverance. They came to Jesus and begged Him to leave their region! The loss of their pigs was more important than the freedom of one or two souls from the devil’s grasp! How would you respond if you were a character in this story?
The Great Crash!
Scripture reading for January 8th: Matthew 7, Psalm 6, Proverbs 2:9-11
Jesus liked stories that His listeners could identify with. He was good at picking out simple stories that illustrated his teaching. Jesus had been talking about what life in the kingdom of heaven was like and how people who were seeking that kingdom would conduct their lives. Kingdom life is all about living in obedience to God by faith. The world lives by the senses and the flesh and has its own way of doing business. The people of God’s kingdom follow the Lord and His holy word.
In Matthew 7, Jesus covers instructions for some common worldly ways of doing business. His people are not to judge others and condemn them, for with the measure they give, they will be judged. (Matthew 7:1-2) Judging others and finding fault with others is sinful because we cannot know the heart of another person and how they really stand with God. Only God has this ability and it is best left to the One who knows everything perfectly.
God’s people ask Him for their needs. This kind of asking is persistent in that it seeks an answer and knocks hard on God’s door. God promises that one who asks will receive and find an open door. God is good and willing to be entreated, but this doesn’t mean He is like a heavenly slot machine that dispenses miracles according to a formula. God is a loving Father who knows all things and sometimes answers in ways we did not expect or even says “no” or “not now”.
Jesus warned his followers to stick close to His teaching and to Him because the gate is narrow leading to life and few find it. Jesus is that gate! (John 10:7) The broad way is heavily populated and many are on their way to destruction. In fact, those who hear the word and obey it, putting it into practice are likened to a builder who built on a rock. The house will stand against any storm. Those who hear but don’t apply His teaching are like those who build on the sand. A storm comes and the house comes down with a great crash! (Matthew 7:24-27) Just hearing the teaching is not enough. The key is in applying the word to daily life. Our house are being built daily. Is yours on a rock or sand? A great storm is coming!
Pattern of Powerful Prayer!
Scripture reading for January 7th: Matthew 6, Psalms 5:7-12, Proverbs 2:1-8
Jesus was anointed of God by the Holy Spirit to teach. In this sermon, He taught on prayer, fasting, and giving as well as living a life of contentment instead of worry. These are all tied together in that a life of prayer and generosity will lead to a life of true contentment! Seeking first God’s kingdom and His righteousness leads to all we need being added to our life by God! (Matthew 6:38)
Prayer is our conversation and interaction with God the Father who made us and also created the universe. Sin has cut off the relationship and our ability to talk and listen to God because of our own selfishness. We can even try to use prayer, fasting and giving in selfish ways. They can be all about us and drawing attention to our devotion to God instead of as an act of worship in response to God’s goodness or direction to us. Motives of the heart are important as we pray or give.
Jesus taught his disciples a model prayer that we call the “Lord’s Prayer”. Jesus never intended that we just say this prayer in mindless repetition, but taught a timeless pattern of prayer that would help with motives and having a right heart in communicating with God. The prayer starts with relationship–“Our Father in heaven”. His very name and title brings reverence and respect–“hallowed be Your Name”. We are children of our heavenly Father but must show respect as we would for our earthly father (or should).
The next petition concerns a desire for God’s will to be done on earth as in heaven. This is not fatalism, but an aligning of our wills with God’s will and a recognition that we are open to do His will here on earth and enforce it in our circle of influence by faith. We are dependent on God, however, for our daily bread and ask for our needs from Him.
Forgiveness is asked for, but with recognition that we must forgive others. This thought is reinforced, because it is one of the biggest stumbling blocks of our flesh. We are constantly under temptation and need God’s help and deliverance from the source of temptation, the “evil one”.
These elements are the Lord’s instructions for powerful prayer! Let’s apply these principles daily as we move forward by Spirit-inspired prayer!
Love Your Enemies!
Scripture reading for January 6th: Matthew 5:31-48, Psalm 5:1-6, Proverbs 1:28-33
Early on New Year’s day, a Coptic Christian Church, “All Saints” church was holding a service in Alexandria, Egypt. The church had over 1000 in the midnight service and as the worshipers were leaving, a suicide bomber detonated his vest and instantly sent 21 of the worshipers to heaven (we trust but only God knows for sure). Ninety-six others were injured and the blast destroyed cars and damaged buildings as well as leaving stunned, angry Christians to deal with this atrocity. Some hurled rocks and stones at the police and others attacked the Islamic mosque across the street. Others waved blood spattered sheets, weeping for the victims.
How would Jesus instruct these followers of His to react in this heart-wrenching situation? Does Jesus have a word for His followers? “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-47)
These words are shocking to our senses in the light of the tragedy just described! What if the dead were our fellow church members or family? What if this had been going on for years and you had been loving and forgiving? Surely revenge would be appropriate! Jesus addressed that earlier–no revenge allowed! Overcome evil with good! (Matthew 5:38-42) (Romans 12:17-21) The way of Jesus is different than the way of the world. God loves these wicked ones as He loves us and desires that they would be forgiven and saved. Love is the most powerful force in the universe and God is love! He has given us His love through the Holy Spirit. Let’s ask Him to help us to love like He has instructed! Love never fails! (1st Corinthians 13:8)