Category: Gospels
Will you follow Jesus “wherever”?
Scripture reading for January 12th, 2014: Matthew 8
“When Jesus saw the crowd around Him, He gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. Then a teacher of the law came to Him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” Another disciple said to Him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”” Matthew 8:18-22
Two different men approached Jesus desiring to follow Him as apprentices. Far from recruiting them and promising them fame and fortune for their willingness to learn, Jesus came back at them with strong statements of truth. The first man was willing to follow Jesus “wherever” He would go. This man was told by Jesus that He had no place to go and stay. Would he be willing to give up a home and it’s comforts to follow Him into the unknown? Was this man willing to live by faith and trust Jesus for the future?
The second man asked Jesus for a leave of absence to bury his father. We are not told if the father was sick and his death imminent or if this was a matter of this man waiting on time and chance to fulfill the obligation to care for his family. Jesus firmly told him to come now! Someone would always be there to bury the dead! His was a ministry to those who wanted eternal life and urgency was required! Check your own heart today! Are you willing to follow Jesus “wherever” and “now”?
Build on the Rock!
Scripture reading for January 9th: Matthew 7
Jesus concluded His message to the people on kingdom living with an encouragement to seek God. They must be people who would be persistent to find what they needed from God. They must ask! They must seek! They must knock! All these verbs are in the continual sense of ‘ask and keep on asking, etc’. “Everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:8) God is a loving Father who will give good gifts to those that seek Him!
But Jesus also warned His followers early in His ministry to watch out for false prophets. He likened them to wolves dressed up as a sheep! What an example Jesus used in that rural cultural setting! He told them that they would know the false prophets by their fruit. Bad trees don’t produce good fruit! “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) False prophet may do miracles and prophesy in His Name, but will go to hell!
Every person is building a spiritual house. You can hear the Word of God and not do it! That person is building on the sand! Those that hear and then apply it to their lives are likened to a man building his house on a rock. Storms of life come and test the foundation. Those on the sand collapse under the pressure and are destroyed. Those on the rock survive every storm! Which kind of builder are you?
Seek first the kingdom!
Scripture reading for January 8th: Matthew 6
Jesus’ message was full of teaching about the kingdom of heaven. Jesus taught His disciples to pray to the Father. Their first request was to be the declaration, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10) Jesus wanted His followers submitted to the King and in agreement with His will! In their case, the King would be their heavenly Father! Jesus was taking them beyond where they were to a New Covenant understanding of adoption as God’s children.
Jesus taught His followers not to store up money or earthly treasures. He taught that many things can rob us here of those earthly treasures. Thieves could steal them or the elements could cause them to decay or become worthless. Instead, kingdom people store their treasures in heaven where they will be eternally safe. Jesus stated emphatically, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) Besides that, no one can serve two masters! “You cannot serve both God and Money.” (Matthew 6:24b)
We all have a tendency to worry about our daily needs. People in Jesus’ time did the same thing. Jesus encouraged them not to worry about their needs, telling them that their heavenly Father knew them. They were supposed to ask Him for their daily bread each day! (Matthew 6:11) They could observe the birds and the grass and see that God cared for them. They were much more valuable to God! “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:33-34)
Jesus: “I tell you!”
Scripture reading for January 7th: Matthew 5
Many focus on the Beatitudes as a wonderful statement of kingdom life and blessings. But Jesus spoke at length about many other common beliefs held among the people. He reminded the people with “you have heard it said:” and then countered the common sayings with God’s perspective. These truths ran counter to the current religious teaching of the day. They also challenge us today in that the religious world still holds some of the same perspectives.
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.” (Matthew 5:21-22a) Jesus took one of the Ten Commandments and showed that under kingdom rules, anger with another also was capable of bringing judgment. Murder starts in the heart with feelings of anger and disparaging comments like “You fool!”! God looks at the heart, not just the actions!
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body that for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” (Matthew 5:27-29) Jesus took another of the commandments and showed that adultery also started in the heart. God doesn’t just look at the acts in the kingdom He rules, he looks at the heart. Breaking this command is serious business! Better to lose an eye than to go to hell! Maybe it’s time to listen to Jesus!
Jesus preached the Kingdom!
Scripture reading for January 6th: Matthew 4
Jesus had an awesome spiritual experience at His baptism! He was filled with the Holy Spirit and got to hear His Father tell Him He loved Him and was pleased! Immediately, He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness and was tempted by Satan for forty days. Jesus had to face spiritual warfare and suffered temptations like all humans but unlike everyone else, He remained faithful to God and His Word! Jesus defeated each temptation with a Scripture quote telling the Devil truth. (Matthew 4:4,7,10) Satan had to withdraw and Jesus returned in the Spirit’s power to begin ministry to the lost! (Luke 4:1)
Jesus moved from Nazareth to Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee. He began to preach saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” (Matthew 4:17) He also healed every disease and sickness as He went preaching the good news of the kingdom. (Matthew 4:23) The good news was that God loved all men and desired to see them turn from their selfish ways. Repentance is a change of mind about who has the right to run your life. It may also be described as a change of Kings and kingdoms! In the kingdom of God, truth is the language of God. Jesus was the Truth in human flesh and lived by that truth. (John 1:12, John 14:6) We are born the first time under the kingdom of darkness and Satan’s lies. Repentance means turning from that kingdom to the kingdom of heaven!
Jesus brought the kingdom of heaven near to each person. We have opportunity to respond to the good news as long as Christ has not returned! Today is the best day to turn to Him! Now is the only time we know we have! If you have not responded, please do it now!
Jesus, the Holy Spirit and Fire!
Scripture reading for January 5th: Matthew 3
John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus, came on the scene when Jesus was nearly 30 years old. He preached that the kingdom of heaven was at hand and that all men needed to repent. John wore the clothes of a prophet and lived in the lonely places of the Judean wilderness. Matthew records that he was the one spoken of by Isaiah, “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.'” (Isaiah 40:3) Many people came and confessed their sins and were baptized by John in the Jordan River.
When the Saducees and Pharisees came to observe, John warned them of their need to repent and be baptized. He told them that having a genetic tie to Abraham was not enough with God. God was looking for fruit of obedience in each life and would judge all who had none! He also warned them that there was one coming after him who would be more powerful and honored. The “Coming One” would baptize men with the Holy Spirit and with fire, not just water! This One would gather in the faithful, but punish the wicked! (Matthew 3:11-12)
Jesus then appeared to be baptized by John. John recognized Him as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29) Jesus was insistent and John baptized Him. As Jesus came out of the water, the Holy Spirit came down and rested on Him like a dove, and a Voice from heaven stated: “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well-pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) Water baptism is a step of obedience that all disciples should follow. But Jesus also is the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit and Fire! Go after all He has for you!
Jesus, King of the Jews!
Scripture reading for January 2nd: Matthew 2
Matthew records the visit of the Magi (wise men) from the East. They probably came from the area of the Middle East that we now know as Iran or Iraq. These men had left their country and were following a star that appeared to them and was leading them. They somehow knew that the child they were seeking was “King of the Jews”. (Matthew 2:1)
When they reached Jerusalem, they went to see King Herod and inquire about where to look. This brought about a great disturbance in King Herod and in the city of Jerusalem! Calling together the elders of the Jews, Herod asked them what they knew about the Christ’s birthplace. They quoted the prophet Micah 5:2, stating that Bethlehem would be the city of Judah where the ruler would come. Herod told this to the wise men and asked them to report back when they found this King.
The star took them about five miles away to Bethlehem. When the saw the child Jesus, joy overwhelmed them! They were so moved that they bowed down and worshiped Him. They were not ashamed to show their reverence and to honor this King of the Jews! They even opened their treasures and laid gold, frankincense and myrrh at His feet. God warned them in a dream to go home another way.
Their response is a model for all seekers of King Jesus. They were willing to leave behind their old life and follow God’s leading to where He was. They sought those who knew Scripture and listened. When they found Jesus, they opened their hearts and treasures and worshiped Him! When they found Him, they went home a new way! Where your treasure is, there your heart will be as well! (Matthew 6:21)
BibleTrekToday 2015–Jesus!
Reading for January 1st: Matthew 1
Dear Friends of Jesus,
As we begin our journey on the first day of a new year, I begin my seventh year of writing devotions through the Bible. This year we will try another reading approach to the New Testament. My plan is to read one chapter a day for five days each week. We will take Saturday’s and Sunday’s off to reflect and worship with our family and church family. May the Lord reveal His holy character and ways to each of you as you faithfully read.
The theme this year is simply “Jesus”! Jesus Christ is the central focus of the whole Bible and the New Testament begins with a record of the human lineage of Jesus traced from Abraham to Jesus’ earthly father Joseph. There were 42 generations in this record covering about 2000 years of human history. (Matthew 1:17) Matthew writes from a Jewish perspective and shows that Jesus was truly a son of David traced back to Abraham, the father of the nation.
Matthew recounts how Mary was found to be with child before the consummation of her marriage to Joseph. Joseph planned to divorce her quietly, but was told by God that he should go ahead and marry her. The child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Joseph was given the Name “Jesus” to give to the child by the angel. “Jesus” would save His people from their sins! (Matthew 1:21)
Everyone needs a savior because all have sinned! (Romans 3:23) There is no other Name given among men that can bring salvation! (Acts 4:12) Why not start this new year committing your life to Jesus Christ? Would you dedicate time each day to read His Word and know Him? God bless you on your journey this year! Pastor John and Mary Morse
Testing Peter’s love
Scripture reading for November 5th: John 18-21
Peter, one of Jesus’ most trusted disciples, denied Jesus three times after His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. (John 18:22-27) Jesus had predicted this would happen and Peter had wept bitterly, knowing he had let down his close friend.
Peter and a number of the disciples had decided to go fishing in the Sea of Tiberius (Galilee). They fished all night and by morning had nothing to show for. As they were approaching shore, Jesus stood there and called out to them. They didn’t recognize Him as the Lord. He told them to throw their net on the right side of the boat. When they did, they were unable to haul their net into the boat because of the great number of fish! John recognized Jesus at that point and told Peter. Peter immediately jumped into the water and came to Jesus, who was already cooking for the tired fishermen. John’s account states that this was the third time Jesus appeared to them after the resurrection.
After Jesus served them the meal, Jesus turned to Simon Peter and asked him a question. “Simon son of John, do you truly love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “You know that I love You.” Jesus said, “Feed My lambs.” (John 21:15) This was repeated three times in similar fashion. Peter’s feelings were hurt because Jesus asked him three times. (John 21:17) Jesus spoke prophetically to Peter about how he would die to glorify God and called Peter to follow Him.
Jesus wants us all to affirm our love for Him on a daily basis. In Peter’s case, he was called to feed the lambs and sheep and care for the Master’s flock of people. Love for Jesus is demonstrated by obedience! What is it the the Lord has called and equipped you to do? Why not affirm your love for Him today?
A final thought concerns Peter’s death. Tradition says that Peter was crucified upside down in Rome. He chose that because he felt unworthy to die as his Lord Jesus had! Peter’s life and death brought glory to God! We must live in obedience to the Lord! “To live is Christ, to die is gain!” (Philippians 1:21)
Abiding in the Vine!
Scripture reading for November 4th: John 13-17
Several years ago, I planted two grape vines in my back yard along the fence. I had used these potted vines as a sermon illustration of Jesus’ teaching in John 15. I studied grapes and found that they were one of the most widely grown crops in the world. There are many different varieties and colors and people love to eat them fresh, as juice, or as wine. They also need cultivation and tending to be the most fruitful and healthy. Dead and diseased branches need trimmed off and the vines trained to grow in the arbor. The branches are not good for anything but producing fruit. They will not make lumber but are only good for burning.
Jesus used this agricultural example to teach his disciples about their need to stay attached to Him! Jesus was the true vine and the disciples were branches. If they would just “abide” in Him and allow His Word to “abide” in them, they would produce much fruit. (John 15:7) Abiding branches ask the Father for what they need, and He answers! We must stay attached and draw our nutrients from the vine and its roots. A branch that doesn’t remain attached is good for nothing but the fire!
Jesus also went on to say that His Father was the gardener who tended the vine. (John 15:1) The gardener’s job was to keep the vine healthy and producing fruit. Jesus’ Word was the means of pruning His branches. All fruitless branches were pruned off to keep from wasting precious nutrients. Fruitful branches were pruned to maximize fruit production. (John 15:8) Branches that produce no fruit are good for nothing but the fire.
To illustrate the need to abide, I took two branches off my four year old grape vine. I put the branches in water and brought them to church. One branch had 12 clusters of grapes and a second branch had none! After just one hour, the branches were already wilting.
We must stay attached to the vine and also bear fruit. This takes a relationship with God through His Word and prayer! He wants fruit that will last for eternity! What a privilege to bear precious fruit for eternal life! Are you securely attached and producing?