Category: Gospels
Jesus the Risen Lord!
Scripture reading for February 9th: Matthew 28
“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He is risen, just as He said.”” (Matthew 28:1-6) This angelic visitation brought a violent earthquake and terror to those soldiers guarding the tomb! The stone was rolled back while they were ‘like dead men’. This angel spoke to the women who had followed Jesus and told them not to be afraid but to tell the disciples!
As they hurried away, Jesus Himself met them with a greeting! They fell at His feet and worshiped! He also assured them and calmed their fears, sending them to the disciples. The guards, however, ran to the chief priests and told them what had happened. They devised a plan and a story to cover up the angel’s appearance and empty tomb! The lie was widely circulated and even today is believed by those with hard hearts!
Matthew records Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
Jesus, King of the Jews!
Scripture reading for February 6th: Matthew 27
“When they had crucified Him, they divided up His clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. Above His head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, KING OF THE JEWS.” (Matthew 27:35-37) The Roman soldiers did their job with efficiency and part of their pay was the clothes of their crucified victims. They gambled over these to see which one would receive the bounty! In doing this, they fulfilled an ancient prophesy from a thousand years earlier! (Psalm 22:18) The sign they had placed at Pilate’s orders over the Jewish religious authorities objections proclaimed the eternal truth of who Jesus really was: KING OF THE JEWS!
“In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked Him. “He saved other,” they said, “but He can’t save Himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue Him now if He wants Him, for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.'” (Matthew 27:41-43) The religious leaders mocked Jesus’ faith in God and His relationship as “Son of God” and His claim as “King of Israel”. Their unbelief lead to pride and the murder of the Son of God.
After Jesus gave up His Spirit to God, a great earthquake shook the land, splitting the curtain on the temple from top to bottom. Tombs were opened and holy people were raised to life, appearing to many in Jerusalem. This event shook the earth and the people in Jerusalem! The centurion and soldiers guarding Jesus were terrified and proclaimed, “Surely He was the Son of God.” Will you worship Him when He comes again, or be found mocking?
Jesus’ appointed time!
Scripture reading for February 5th: Matthew 26
“He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, “The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with My disciples at your house.”” (Matthew 26:18) Jesus did nothing by accident or chance. Every day of His life was as He saw the Father directing Him. He was aware of the mission that He must accomplish and the time that was rapidly approaching for His final act of sacrifice. He instructed His disciples to prepare for the Passover, His final one with them.
“And while they were eating, He said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray Me.”” (Matthew 26:21) Jesus knew His disciples and the one that would soon betray Him. All the disciples were sad and examined their hearts. Jesus warned them that it would be better to never have been born than to betray Him! As Judas asked if it was him, Jesus plainly told him “Yes, it is you.”
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to His disciples saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28) As a visual lesson has greater impact, Jesus used the bread and the cup of grape juice to imprint on His followers the appointment He was soon to keep for their forgiveness! This visual meal has reminded all of His followers throughout time of what Jesus did for them. It also points us to His second coming at God’s appointed time for the greatest meal we will ever experience!
The sheep and goats!
Scripture reading for February 4th: Matthew 25
Jesus ended His teaching on the signs of the end of the age with a story about sheep and goats! “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on His left.” (Matthew 25:31-33) Jesus will come again in heavenly glory with His holy angels. He will set on His throne in Jerusalem to judge the nations. What an awesome vision of the future time of Christ’s return!
This judgment will be of individual people and separates them ‘one from another’. The group on His right will be the “sheep” people. They will have followed their Shepherd and been obedient to His heart and word. They will be the ones who while on earth were the hands, feet, and mouthpiece of Jesus to the lost, hurting and imprisoned. Jesus will say to these, “Come, you who are bless by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34)
The second group are the “goat” people. These were those from the nations that refused to follow Jesus or to do the works of compassion that flow from the heart of their Shepherd. Jesus explained to these that when they did not do the works He showed them, they mistreated Him! His final words to this group, “Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41) May we each heed the warning of Jesus concerning His return!
“Keep watch!”
Scripture reading for February 3rd: Matthew 24
Jesus was asked by the disciples: “Tell us, they said, “when will this happen and what will be the sign of Your coming and the end of the age?” Jesus answered them with a warning: “Watch out that no one deceives you.” (Matthew 24:3-4) He went on to tell them of the deception and persecution that would mark the times of these last days before He returned and the age ended. Their job would be to fulfill His command to reach all the world with the Gospel: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the wold world as a testimony to all nations and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)
Many church people today are focused on the signs that Jesus described and live in fear. There are wars and rumors of wars but Jesus told His followers not to be alarmed! (Matthew 24:6) This was normal birth pains before His coming! He told them of persecution and many falling away from the faith and betraying believers. There would also be many deceivers and false prophets who would cause the love of believers to grow cold. Jesus encouraged His followers to stand firm in the truth of the gospel and keep on preaching! In doing so, they would be saved and Christ’s coming would be hastened!
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:35-36) We must stay close to the words of Jesus! A relationship with Him is essential to be ready for that day of His return! “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:42)
Practice what you preach!
Scripture reading for February 2nd: Matthew 23
Jesus had the hardest words for religious leaders who taught the Law of God. His principle was that those that had received much were responsible for much. “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to His disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. Everything they do is done for men to see: . . .” (Matthew 23:1-5a)
Jesus taught the people to obey their religious authorities. When we disrespect authority, we disrespect God Himself. (Romans 13:1-2) These authorities were bad examples! They did not live what they taught and their deeds were done to impress men and not God! This would bring “woe” upon them! They liked the titles and positions of authority, but were not humble before God or man. (Matthew 23:8-12)
They tithed religiously even down to every tenth leaf of their spices, but neglected the more important matters of justice and mercy and faithfulness. Jesus warned them that they ought to tithe, but not neglect the more important matters of treating people with dignity. They washed their hands and dishes religiously, but inside they were full of hypocrisy and wickedness! (Matthew 23:25-28) Jesus even went so far as to call them snakes and vipers for killing the prophets that God had sent to warn them and turn them back! He, the Christ, was doing so right then! When we read these woes, we must open our own lives to the Word! Hypocrisy is a deadly sin!
Trapping Jesus!
Scripture reading for January 30th: Matthew 22
Towards the end, the Pharisees and Sadducees were trying to trap Jesus so that they could charge Him with religious error and do away with Him once and for all. They were jealous of His authority and the crowds of people that followed Him. One such effort was recorded by Matthew. “Teacher,” they said, “we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” (Matthew 22:16-17)
Jesus was immediately aware of their evil intent. He called them what they were–hypocrites! He then asked them to show Him a coin of that day and asked whose inscription was on the coin. They answered that it was Caesar’s. “Then He said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”” (Matthew 22:21)
There are those today that argue that Christians should refuse to pay taxes because of the evil things that are done with the money by the government. Others argue that the tithe is an Old Testament law that doesn’t need to be obeyed because we are under grace. Jesus would not be trapped. The human mind reasons to find loopholes for selfish reasons and takes the Word of God out of context. Jesus spoke truth in a simple manner! Taxes are due to Caesar! He and His own disciples paid them! (Matthew 17:27) The tithe is owed to God because of who He is: Lord of heaven and earth! Let’s be sure we are not seeking to “trap” God by twisting His own holy Word!
Jesus turned the tables!
Scripture reading for January 29th: Matthew 21
“Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying ad 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)
At the beginning of His last Passover week, Jesus entered Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey and was hailed by the crowds as the ‘Son of David,’ the revered king of Israel. The city was stirred with messianic hope and speculation. Jesus entered the temple and caused a bigger stir! He overturned the tables of the money-changers and cleaned house! John recorded that this had also happened earlier in His ministry and then he used a whip of cord to drive them out! (John 2:15) This marketing of sacrifices was a money-making opportunity for the religious leaders of the day. But Jesus viewed it as hindering the people, Jew and Gentile, from coming to God for His help and blessing.
The religious leaders later asked Jesus where He got His authority to drive out the money-changers. Jesus turned the tables in a different way with a question. “Jesus replied, I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these thing. John’s baptism–where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?” (Matthew 21:24) They refused to answer because however they answered they were exposed! Truth must be willingly embraced or it results in hardened hearts! The religious leaders looked for a way to arrest Him! Are we embracing Jesus’ authority over our bodies as His temple? (1st Corinthians 6:19-20)
Fair pay?
Scripture reading for January 28th: Matthew 20
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.” (Matthew 20:1-2) Jesus taught his followers through this parable that each person who comes under the Lord’s authority and agrees to salvation and kingdom work does so voluntarily. The denarius was a fair daily wage for a laborer of that day.
During the twelve hour work day, the landowner hired workers at the third, sixth, ninth and eleventh hours. “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going to the first.’ (Matthew 20:8) The workers were all given a denarius for their day’s work! This upset those who had worked all day and they grumbled against the landowner. They thought he should have given them more for a whole day’s work! “But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius?’ (Matthew 20:13)
God ultimately pays everyone well, no matter how long or short our time of service. We all get more than we deserve because of the generosity of the One who owns it all! “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children for My sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:28-29)
Covenant Marriage!
Scripture reading for January 27th: Matthew 19
“Some Pharisees came to Him to test Him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” (Matthew 19:3) Divorce was easy in the time of Jesus. If a Jewish man found disfavor with his wife for almost any reason, he could write her a certificate of divorce and send her away. The religious leaders went to test Jesus to see if He agreed with them.
“Haven’t you read,” He replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘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 man not separate.” (Matthew 19:4-6) Jesus pointed these preachers back to God’s original design. They were made ‘male and female’. There was purpose in the physical design to enable them to come together in a unique and pleasurable way. Marriage was to be between a man and a woman made one flesh for life and procreation!
Jesus went on to say that Moses only permitted divorce because of hard hearts. God’s plan was for marriage to be for life. Jesus stated that the only exception to staying married was adultery. If a person divorced for any reason other than adultery and married another person, they were committing adultery. (Matthew 19:9)
Many in our culture and the church today have divorced their mates for many reasons and married others. There is a great need to repent of the sin of adultery and covenant breaking. This sin affects the children in cruel ways that opens the door for offense and separation from God. Covenant marriage is the foundation of the church.