Tag: Matthew 22
The greatest commandment
Scripture reading for January 30: Matthew 22
“But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question to test Him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”” Matthew 22:34-40
Religious people love rules. By using rules, they try to determine those who are ‘in’ with God and those who are ‘out’. The Sadducees had tried this using their interpretations of the law concerning marriage and divorce and the resurrection to trip up Jesus and show that He was ‘out’. (Matthew 22:23-33) Jesus referred them to the Scriptures to correct their errant world view.
In this passage, the Pharisees also tested Jesus concerning the ‘rules’. The sought to trap Him by asking which of God’s laws was the greatest. Jesus did not hesitate to answer them with the first commandment of the Law: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Jesus taught that love for God involved relationship and obedience from the heart and the whole of our being. He also added a second commandment: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” He taught that these two commandments were the foundation of all the Law and Prophets–the Old Testament Scriptures. When anyone loves God, he or she will keep God’s commandments. In keeping the commandments, we demonstrate our love for God and our neighbor who is made in God’s image. The commandments of the Law simply reveal our heart as a mirror does our face!
As you contemplate these two simple commandments, how do you evaluate your relationship with God and also with your neighbors? Would others observing your life say that you loved God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength? Does your love for your neighbor reflect your love for God?
Prayer: Father God, please have mercy on me today as my love for You has not been complete. In my soul I want to love You, but my mind and body sometimes take me back to my old selfish nature.. This affects my love for others. I have put myself ahead of You and others. Fill me with Your Spirit and teach me real love for You and others! Amen.
Dress for success!
Scripture reading for February 1st: Matthew 22
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Matthew 22:11-14 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless. “Then the king told the attendants, ‘tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are invited, but few are chosen.””
Towards the very end of His earthly ministry, Jesus told this parable about a wedding for the king’s son and a guest who came without a proper wedding garment. The man was confronted by the king, and he was without excuse and speechless. The king had him thrown outside, bound hand and foot. Jesus concluded the parable with “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”
This parable speaks to us today about our need to respond properly to the invitation to the wedding feast of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ! We need to accept the wedding garment of His righteousness to be properly clothed and say ‘yes’ to the King’s invitation through His ambassadors, the ‘Church!’ Those who come thinking they are good just as they are will be in for a rude surprise! The only ‘clothes’ come by grace through faith in Jesus Christ! (Ephesians 2:8-9) All are invited to this wedding banquet, but few will chose to come properly dressed!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers will wear garments of Christ’s righteousness and be watching for the Bridegroom’s return! Some will be surprised and left out! “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12) “I will clothe her priests with salvation and her saints will ever sing for joy.” (Psalm 132:16)
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!