Tag: pray

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Mark: Jesus’ Ministry Begins

Read: Mark 1

John Mark wastes no time in getting into the story of Jesus’ earthly ministry. The NIV Study Bible notes summarizes his perspective like this:

Mark’s Gospel emphasizes more what Jesus did than what he said. Mark moves quickly from one episode in Jesus’ life and ministry to another.

No joke! In the first 13 verses we read about John the Baptist preparing the way, baptizing Jesus, then the passing reference to His wilderness experience. It’s as if John Mark wanted us to read the other Gospel accounts for more details–his focus was on action!

Take a few minutes to watch The Bible Project’s overview of the Gospel of Mark here:  https://thebibleproject.com/all-videos/?category=&q=mark

Jesus begins to speak into the ultimate Good News:

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:14-15

Mark’s account of Jesus’ ministry begins with calling the disciples to follow Him, then rebuking an evil spirit while teaching in a synagogue. The people are overwhelmed at His actions:

The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” Mark 1:27

The time for complacency is over. No more frozen-chosen. Mark uses strong words of action in his account of Jesus ministry. In the passage above, Jesus speaks “sternly,” the spirit acts “violently,” and departs with a “shriek.” I’m reading the NIV, but the language is strong in whatever translation you prefer.

Jesus goes on to heal many, but it’s interesting that He starts with Peter’s mother-in-law:

So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. Mark 1:31

Did you catch that? I missed it at first. Peter’s mother-in-law, i.e., Peter is married. Paul uses this as a teaching point for the Corinthians:

Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? 1 Corinthians 9:5

At any rate, they are eyewitnesses to the miraculous healing touch of Jesus, in many ways. Jesus goes on to heal many (“the whole town”) and his earthly, physical body grows tired, so He seeks a solitary place to go and pray. This alone is a wonder and a great example for us to consider.  The disciples are so excited they seek out Jesus:

and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. Mark 1:37-39

Many were healed and though Jesus asked them to keep quiet the news spread quickly and to the point where he “could no longer enter a town openly.” Makes sense to me!

John Mark was close to Simon Peter. Their lives were radically changed by Jesus. Though their personalities were quite different, there is no doubt that from this point on they were living on mission for the Gospel. How about us? Have we been radically moved? We know the rest of the story, how can we keep it to ourselves?

Lord, I pray we are all compelled to act, to spread the news of Jesus by reading the hyper-fast pace of Mark’s Gospel.

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Matthew: Jesus’ Trial, Crucifixion and Burial

Read: Matthew 27

Not the end of the story.

Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor. Matthew 27:1-2

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” Matthew 27:24

Pilate played his part, ignored his wife’s admonition, and  washed his hands. “All the chief priests and the elders of the people” got their way. All. Sad. Completely deceived.

Jesus, now in the hands of Pilate’s soldiers, was treated with the utmost disrespect. From their perspective, this was just another man to execute. Like the priests and elders, the soldiers were lost in their world, out of touch with humanity. I know it’s horrible to compare priests with brutal soldiers, but both are representatives of systems contrived by humans for their own purpose, their own selfish desires.

Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is Jesus, the King of the Jews. Matthew 27:37

Priests, elders, soldiers — complete disrespect. Then the people, those wandering by to see the latest execution by crucifixion joined to add their voices, mocking Jesus.

In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. Matthew 27:41

The torture of crucifixion is not something to dwell on, though many have explained the agonizing, painfully slow process that always ends in death, one way or another. The soldiers knew the process, but this time something was different. When Jesus breathed his last, a series of events took place that defied explanation.

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:54

Crucifixion complete, the centurion speaks in past tense. I wonder if this centurion was aware of the rest of the story. Surely he would have heard from the company of guards, but that’s the next chapter, I’m getting ahead of myself.

Pilate released Jesus’ body to Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man, probably one that Pilate was quick to appease.  Joseph provided burial clothes and a tomb for the body of Jesus.

The Jewish leaders were concerned that Jesus’ disciples, interestingly absent, would steal the body and assert he had risen as he predicted, so they pulled yet another puppet string on Pilate the governor:

“Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. Matthew 27:65-66

As Paul Harvey would say, “the rest of the story” is yet to come. For today, I ponder the pitiful state of people at that time, lost in their selfishness. They couldn’t see the extent of their depravity–the deceiver had done his job well. Can we see ourselves? Are we like the elders?

It’s easy to say I’m not like the soldiers, but I’m reluctant to shout I’m not like the Jewish leaders. Raised in Christian tradition, I have been assimilated into the fold. So the challenge, my brothers and sisters in Christ, let us not be normal. We don’t walk in the footsteps of those who blindly follow protocol, but we’re not rebellious for the sake of rebelling.

The featured image on this post is truly strange. The photographer captured what appears to be a common site in Nepal, these Holy men of Pashupati. Grown men that are part of a ritualistic religious group we would be quick to disassociate ourselves with. I could have chosen a photo from the Vatican or NAMB, but this one was so extreme I thought it conveyed the point that men who appear wise in their own eyes look foolish to God.

Lord, my prayer is for clear vision this morning, to truly see what is before me. Help us to not be so caught up in our earthly systems that we miss the piece of heaven that is in front of us.

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Matthew: The Olivet Discourse, Part 2

Read: Matthew 25

The last of Matthew’s record of Jesus’ teaching through parables includes three lessons:

  1. The Parable of the Ten Virgins: Matthew 25:1-13
  2. The Parable of the Bags of Gold: Matthew 25:14-30
  3. The Sheep and the Goats: Matthew 25:31-46

The first exhorts us to be prepared, the second to be prudent and the third invites us to love the world as Jesus did.

Parable of the Ten Virgins (Bridesmaids)

For some reason, the use of the term “virgins” in the title of the first parable trips me up. I don’t think I’m alone in that category as the NLT translates the Greek as “bridesmaids” based on the context of the term. The Greek is clearly “virgin,” but the context is better aligned with those in the wedding party. My aversion to “virgin” is the connotation of exploiting young girls, something we’ve become keenly aware of these days through news of human trafficking. Talk about a rabbit trail!

The point of the story seems plain and pretty straightforward — be prepared, don’t be a fool and delay the decision to follow Christ.

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. Matthew 25:13

It’s interesting that Jesus uses weddings, feasts, and large gatherings in his parables. We see lots of celebrations, not just the dull, dreary work in the field type of people. The event is special, not an ordinary day — we need to be prepared every day because we don’t know when that day will come. Maybe today will be that day for someone!

Parable of the Bags of Gold or Three Servants

Once again, the NLT provides a slightly different emphasis on this parable. Is the main point about bags of gold or the people? Hmmm. I tend to think the point of this story has less to do with money and much more to do with stewardship (with an emphasis on the steward). In the parable, as the master prepares to go away on a long trip, he calls three of trusted servants and gives them a task.

To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. Matthew 25:15

Each according to his ability. The master knows his servants well and uses this discernment when he apportions each with that which they can handle. I’m pretty confident I’m not a 5-bag level guy, but I hope and pray that I’m not a 1-bag servant!

My friend Nabeel Qureshi died a few days ago at the young age of 34. His earthly body was ravaged by stomach cancer. Incredibly sad. Nabeel was a 5-bag servant, or perhaps a 10-bagger! His short life on earth had a profound impact on the kingdom, literally thousands of Muslims have come to know Jesus as their Lord through Nabeel’s testimony. When I met him in 2012, he wasn’t thinking about writing books to become a Christian superstar, but so many encouraged him to stop and record his thoughts so we could learn from his keen insight. Please read, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, when you get a chance. His story of faith is wrapped up in this well-written, significant book.

While I know I’m just a 2-bag guy, I pray that I will in fact use them to support those with 3, 4 or 5 bags! I’m incredibly thankful for that which has been given to me and continue to look for ways to gain two more bags!

Sheep and Goats — The Final Judgment

Over the last year, I’ve been working with Greg Wiens on a project with World Vision that centers on this section of Scripture. We’ve read and discussed it over and over again as we built the Mission Gap Assessment. Basically, we ask individuals to evaluate how they prioritize serving “the least of these” versus “go and make disciples” (Matthew 28). The emphasis is to encourage both–you can’t do one without the other. [Link]

The foundation of both is simply, love. If we hear Jesus’ words from the previous chapter and love God, love ourselves and love others, there is no doubt which side of the fence we will fall on that day of final judgment. Perhaps we’re victims of capitalistic marketing that has inundated our culture for the last fifty+ years, but it’s not all about me! I actually don’t need a bigger house, better car, newer wardrobe, etc. While there are things I actually need, they should not be influenced by marketers desires to add to their sales figures.

When I focus on loving God with everything I have, the rest falls into place. Sad to admit that last sentence begins with “When.” Seems like there is a need for constant reminders about who God is and why He is most deserving above all else. Isn’t this why we gather on Sunday? The weekly reminder is not a box to check, it’s designed to help me remember that loving God is not a task, it’s a privilege and it’s meant to be shared with others.

Another point of the story of sheep and goats is simply this: I am not the judge. Thank goodness! My role is to love others completely. That’s not easy to do, but the more I focus on being patient and kind to everyone, the more I become like Jesus commanded.

All over the charts this morning. The clock says I need to post this and get to work, but I’m lost in thoughts of how to do the things that are covered in this chapter. How can I be vigilantly prudent while loving everyone? What does that look like? Ah, the journey. I’m really thankful to have friends to run with on this path!

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Matthew: Jesus and the Religious Leaders

Read: Matthew 22-23

Following the parable of the wedding feast, Jesus continues to challenge the Jewish leadership by exposing their inability to grasp the fundamental truth that was literally standing right in front of their faces. The reading today includes a wide array of topics presented by Matthew as keys to revealing significant problems with the religious right.

Here’s the roadmap for this morning:

Jesus’ response to paying taxes is one we often quote, and it’s probably a favorite of the IRS, but notice verse 16:

They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. Matthew 22:16

The Pharisees tried to trip up Jesus by including the Herodians in the confrontation to create a legal reason for disbanding the disciples. The Herodians, as in, Herod who had John beheaded on a whim. They commune with those who are despised by the people as an oppressive authority and judge Jesus and his disciples who reach out to the least, the lost and the lonely. The Pharisees are hell-bent on getting their way, as we’ll read today, and that’s not a play on words. Jesus doesn’t miss a beat as he sends them off scratching their heads.

Next we read about an encounter with the Sadducees, the group that doesn’t believe in the resurrection. This is their moment on stage with Jesus, so what do they ask? They ask a question to try and gain support for their position on resurrection by creating a ridiculous scenario. Jesus hears their pinpointed question and provides a broad response:

You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. Matthew 22:29

Those who devote their full attention to the Scriptures are lost, they don’t understand at all. Jesus sends them away searching their scrolls to find the basis of his response, but they will not be satisfied because they don’t see the big picture. Lost in the details and checklists, they have no chance at understanding the “why” behind the story.

Time for the Pharisees to step up to the microphone:

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:26-40

I can’t help but provide the entire quote here, these words are so important for us to soak in. All the Law hands on these fundamental thoughts. Every time we read the Bible, sing a worship song, pray for another, we need to remember that we are bound to love first. Love God with all we have. Love our neighbors, those caught up in this life like we are. Love ourselves. Obviously, we could write about this for days!

Matthew’s not done and the Pharisees, somewhat surprisingly, are still around so Jesus asks them a question:

What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he? Matthew 22:42

Jesus gives them a puzzle to solve that they cannot possibly comprehend from their perspective and sends them off (for the day):

No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions. Matthew 22:46

You see, it’s not that the religious leaders misinterpret the Law, the simply don’t understand the underlying principles for which the Law was created — they missed the point. As a result, they are lost in their piety:

So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. Matthew 23:3

When we talk about servant leadership, serving to lead, we are drawn to this passage because we know in our hearts:

The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12

The motivational speech is to humble ourselves, not dance in the end zone.

Just in case anyone is wondering about Jesus’ position on the Pharisees:

  1. Woe: You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces.
  2. Woe: you make a new convert twice as much a child of hell as you are.
  3. Woe: You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?
  4. Woe: You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
  5. Woe: Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
  6. Woe: You look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.
  7. Woe: you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.

“You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? Matthew 23:33

Seven woes. The leaders are completely lost.

Before we begin to gloat over our non-denominational deliverance from Pharisaical thinking or our superior understanding of Calvinism or Arminianism, let’s pause and reflect. While it’s important to be able to articulate theological, dogmatic distinctions, solid expository teaching of the Bible, and appropriate hermeneutics, I pray that we will not lose sight of our savior’s words: Love God and Love Others. Lord, help us to embrace love for the entire world.

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Matthew: Intense Words from Jesus

Read: Matthew 22:1-14

Chapters 22 and 23 includes intense words from Jesus that leave little room to doubt His authority. If there were gray areas before, reading these words sharpen the contrast and move the colors to more distinctive black and white. This is an important perspective in Matthew’s account as he is building up to the crucifixion in chapters 26 & 27. My intention was to read through the two chapters, but I got stuck on the parable. I pray it will stick to you as well.

The parable of the wedding feast Matthew 22:1-14 is particularly poignant. Each time I land on this parable, I have to pause and re-read to get my head wrapped around the conclusion:

“For many are invited, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14

If that’s all I read, or if that verse is removed from its context, I would walk away either greatly encouraged or completely depressed.  The team at gotquestions.org do a great job of explaining the concept of a wedding feast and I encourage you to take a moment and review that short post: GotQuestions.org.

The key to understanding the verse above is understanding that many were invited, but they chose not to attend:

but they refused to come…But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. Matthew 22:3, 5

Not only that, but some messengers were mistreated and even killed. The meaning is quite clear, but the part I struggled with is verse 12:

‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless. Matthew 22:12

Here’s the thought: the Gospel is freely presented to all, openly and equally, but many will refuse to put away their own selfish desires and put on the new clothes offered. Accepting Christ is more than a phrase or a canned prayer–it requires change. Yes, it is free, but it come with a cost. Let that sink in a while.

Many will be invited, some will even show up clutching their pride and possessions as if they were the center of the universe. Sad. Somewhat insightful at times.

Lord, my hands are open
my knees bent before your throne.
Take my pride and toss it away,
replace my clothes with yours.
Let this be the day
that I walk away from the old
embrace the new.
Let this be the day
I put my trust
completely in you.

After those words spilled onto the page I had to walk away for a moment. The featured image is what I saw. My sincere desire is to be deeply cleansed by Jesus. More than just words, I need to put on the wedding clothes He offers and join in the celebration.

Don’t get lost in the one who refused to go to the feast or those who went but showed their arrogance by not wearing the clothes provided. Instead, receive the joy that Christ offers today. Let you face shine with His love and may that be a beacon of hope for others.

 

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Matthew: Passion Week Begins

Read: Matthew 21

As much as I’d like to cruise through the book of Matthew, I simply can’t! There is so much to consider even in this single chapter of Matthew. As Hurricane Irma knocks out power and disrupts the lives of so many in Florida (in particular), I pray we can slow down and listen to the quiet voice and learn.

Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was significant and worth pausing to consider:

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Matthew 21:10-11

He was certainly well known and far from hidden as Passion Week begins. Crowds of people honored Him as He came into the holy city of Jerusalem. Matthew’s careful wording of this verse is interesting:

But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. Matthew 21:15

The religious leaders saw wonderful things He was doing and even the children were participating in His triumphal entry. Their response: indignation. Their concern was all about Jesus’ credentials:

“By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?” Matthew 21:23

Where did you go to Seminary? Do you have your doctorate? Is it honorary or real? Who was on your dissertation committee? The list goes on and on. Anything to dispel credibility compared to their own.

We tend to do the same thing today, even if we don’t admit it. The first thing we do is surround ourselves with those of like mind. This makes sense for building friendships, but not necessarily for building the kingdom. When we all think alike, it’s easy to conclude that our thoughts are always right and here’s where we start to slide down the slippery slope we see the religious leaders of Jesus’ day.

I’m not suggesting we surround ourselves with contrarians or people who just want to argue, but to be an effective voice for Christ, we need to be representative of all kinds of people. Something to consider when building a team that is designed to reach beyond our own understanding and knowledge.

Parable of the Tenants: Matthew 21:33-46

This amazing parable directly convicts the religious aristocracy of the day. They might be dim, but they’re not stupid:

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them. They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet. Matthew 21:45-46

They identified with the horrible people in the parable…so they looked for a way to arrest him? Lord, do we sense guilt when we hear a word against us and become defensive? I pray we will not become so pious, that we would learn lessons from these remarkable words and humble ourselves before you.

 

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Matthew: Some Parables to Consider

Read: Matthew 13

Jesus loved to teach using parables, short stories that invite us to step back and learn from seemingly everyday experiences. We learn a lot through this kind of lesson because it’s more like teaching someone to fish than simply supplying a fish dinner when asked. The funny thing I’ve found is how the application of the simple narrative changes over time. I wish I had kept journals from my youth to compare with thoughts today, but I am completely certain these parables are much more vividly colored today than they were 20 years ago.

I should probably write a post on each of the above, it seems somewhat trite to gloss over the lessons embodied in each. Or perhaps you should read them yourself and hear what God is speaking to you this morning.

Matthew 13:10-17 provides Jesus’ explanation for the use of parables. I pray we are those who can read and learn, see and hear, that our hearts would be transformed by His words. Amen!

Matthew chooses to end this chapter with an observation: a prophet is not honored in his own town. People that saw Jesus growing up, walking with Joseph and Mary to the market, looking like a simple child, and doing normal everyday tasks had a hard time accepting Him for who He was. Something we have to expect in our own lives. I think of this like stained glass windows.

Parable of the Stained Glass Window

Consider the beauty of a stained glass window. The patterns of broken glass, careful selection of lead borders, and the choice of colors provide a wonderful depiction of the image portrayed. It’s especially wonderful when the sun hits the window and filtered light fills the room with a rainbow of colors.

We appreciate a stained glass window because, well, the glass is not clear. The glass is in fragments, held together with gray, rather ugly, lead. Yet somehow, when it is put together properly it becomes a work of art, something we put in a place of honor and gaze upon with wonder.

We are each a stained glass window. Each of us has broken pieces of our lives in the past, all held together by lead. Jesus takes our brokenness, our sin, our mistakes and creates an image much more beautiful than we could ever imagine. The Spirit is the lead, not seen, not the focal point of the window, but without which the window would never hold together.

While there is some desire to be a clear pane of glass once again, I rather think the beauty found in a stained glass window creates a tapestry that reveals a work of art my more authentically.

Thank you Lord for stained glass windows. May I always remember you are the ultimate artist that pieces together the oddly broken shapes of my life and give You the honor and glory You deserve.

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Matthew: Jesus Sends Out His Disciples; Working Within Your Gifts

Read: Matthew 10

In this incredible chapter we read about Jesus sending out his fledgling followers we revere as His amazing disciples. They weren’t so amazing when they started, but they had one major advantage: they knew. They knew Jesus was the Messiah because they walked and talk and watched Him do things beyond their wildest imaginations. Here’s the thing: we know that at well! We might be beaten down by the world in which we live, but we know beyond a doubt that Jesus is the Messiah and He has given us the same Spirit — “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us” (Romans 12:6).

Truly Called

Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. Matthew 10:6-8

One of the first and most important steps in church planting is to affirm the calling of the pastor. It’s significant for obvious reasons because the level of responsibility is incredible and the cost of failure is devastating for the pastor and everyone associated with the church plant.

In this incredible passage in Matthew, Jesus himself sends out the disciples He has called. Including Judas. Let that sink in for a while. He sends them out with power and authority, with words and capability far beyond their training as fishermen, tax collectors, etc. Even though The Pentecost event has yet to occur, Jesus provides assurance that the Spirit is there:

But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Matthew 10:19-20

I’d rather only give you verse 20 above, for it will not be…, but look what Jesus tells them before letting them know the Spirit will provide the right words: when they arrest you… Hold on! How am I supposed to hear the rest of the sentence when it starts with arrest, flogging, and humiliation? Are you sure you want to be called to pastor a church? Really?

Jesus continues His own special form of encouragement:

You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Matthew 10:22

Yes! Sign me up! Really?

Many times we encourage someone to enter ministry, anything from teaching a class to starting a church, by painting this wonderful picture of service with a pat on the back from Jesus. The lesson I take from these words would suggest the opposite is more appropriate, but don’t overdo it! Here’s what I mean. In church planting circles, you hear over and over again, “church planting is hard…” It goes deeper than that, but that’s the tagline for any church planting discussion.

While it’s true, it is incredibly rewarding to be working in a field that is commensurate with your gifts and abilities. This past Sunday we spent the afternoon at Hope Fellowship talking about this very subject. I would contend that working within your gifts is always a joy–even when it sucks!

Greg Wiens would call this your A-Game.

“The challenge with most of us in ministry is that we are not really clear about what our A-game is and what venues of ministry capitalize on our strengths. Too many of us fulfill roles which are either based on someone’s expectations or that simply don’t align with our strengths. Every leader has a venue for their leadership to extend the Kingdom.”HGC Assessments

Find your A-Game through assessments, introspective times surrounded by prayer, and working with a mentor or coach — the counsel of those who have gone before. You might feel like a pioneer, but you are not the only one who has had to step out in faith and do that which God has called them to do!

Here some words of encouragement from Jesus:

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

We are not in this alone, far from it, we go to battle with the Holy Spirit indwelling within us. Lord, help us to find our A-Game, to go into the world with confidence that You are there with us, that You are for us and that You have a unique plan for our lives to grow Your kingdom on earth — today!

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Matthew: A Collection of Miracles and Some Ministry Notes

Read: Matthew 8-9

Matthew provides an incredible list of miracles by Jesus throughout the area and some unique ministry challenges in these two chapters. It’s hard to imagine how this news spread around the region, how it was received, etc. I’m sure they were skeptical of the fake-news of their day and I’m confident I would have been with the group that wanted to see proof. At the same time, loyalties are being tested: will you follow Jesus or John? Pharisees or this One they are calling the Messiah? Matthew quickly stirs the pot by introducing a wide range of characters and concerns. May God speak to you through one of these many examples.

In chapter 4, Matthew reports that Jesus’ ministry began and briefly said He was healing those with diseases, those who were sick, suffering, in pain, paralyzed, demon-possessed, and more (Matthew 4:23-24).  Matthew provides specific examples of miracles that demonstrate the breadth of Jesus’ reach in these chapters.

Miracles

Matthew wants us to know that Jesus was no ordinary prophet, rather, He was the one proclaimed by the prophets who would “took on our infirmities and bore our diseases” (Matthew 8:17; Isaiah 53:4). Here’s a quick list for reference:

A quick scan of the outline above leaves us with the simple conclusion: there is no limit of Jesus’ authority. Men, women, servants, Romans, even children are considered important enough to Jesus that they would be healed of diseases and more. He even controls nature by rebuking the storm as if disciplining a child, “now stop that tantrum!” And it was calm.

It’s interesting that the example of one who has great faith is taken from a Roman Centurion, one who would have been seen as oppressive authority, yet he is the one that Jesus points out:

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. Matthew 8:10

For just a moment look back at Matthew 2:16 where Herod gives orders to kill all of the males two and younger. Those orders were no doubt flawlessly executed by men who were under the rule of centurions, the military authority. What they represented was synonymous with the Gestapo in Hitler’s regime, brutally following orders. Somehow Jesus sees what no other person can see: he sees the heart. Lord, may we have eyes to see beyond that which the world honors or hates. You called us to love. Help us to do your will when it’s as difficult as this must have been for the disciples to witness.

Jesus is not bound by titles or positions. When a synagogue leader approached Jesus, He went and raised his daughter from death. Faith is rewarded in realtime in these stories. We know that’s not always the case, but it is heart-warming to read such stories and know that Jesus can heal anyone at any time. Lord, help us to have such faith!

The narrative on the demon-possessed men and the reaction of the town is somewhat strange and remarkable. These two men are completely out of their minds because of the demons that have taken residence within them–that alone is a lot to consider. I must confess that this is a difficult concept to appreciate, but I do believe we fight an enormous battle in the spiritual realm, it’s just impossible to explain in words. Jesus is confronted by the spirits through these men and a herd of pigs is lost as a result. Weird. Even stranger, the town tells Jesus to leave! As if to suggest they could deal with two crazed men, but the loss of their pigs was too much to handle, they plead with Jesus to leave their town.

Ministry Notes

Matthew seems to say, “It’s not all about miracles!” as he intersperses some important ministry topics in his narrative:

It’s interesting how Matthew weaves these topics into the narrative, the cost to be a disciple is more than most were willing to consider, too much for the Pharisee here or the man who is more concerned about following procedures for burying a family member who has died. Jesus has no patience for people who simply refuse to look beyond the letter of the laws they have created, those trapped by their own misplaced loyalties. The call is far greater than such earthly matters.

Matthew’s own calling is somewhat of a footnote with an emphasis on his sinful nature rather than his qualifications to become a disciple. In contrast to the previous thought, Matthew heard the call and simple, “got up and followed” Jesus. Period.

The question about fasting is somewhat fascinating. John the Baptist’s disciples have to make a decision on who to follow–it must have been so confusing. They went out to the wilderness, heard John proclaim the gospel and were moved to the point that they become his disciples. John is in prison, so they’re fasting and praying, but Jesus has a whole different perspective. Can’t they see they are confronted with the One about whom he was preaching?

The narrative in today’s reading ends with a call to work:

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:37-38

Jesus had compassion on the people because they were like sheep without a shepherd: defenseless, unprotected, destined for death. Through His eyes there is so much pain, so many lost. I often speak about those who don’t even know they are lost, the guy who has a great job, happy wife and kids, discretionary income–success by worldly standards. All the trappings of success, but no sign of Jesus in his life. Perhaps he shows up on Sunday at a church. Check. Takes his family to Christmas Eve service or the special show during the Advent season. Check. Maybe even attends a special event and watches his children get baptized. Check. All the while, the Spirit is not within his heart.

Like sheep without a shepherd, this man will not be saved unless someone reaches him. How can we reach him if we are inwardly focused? How will we see him if we define the lost in terms of financially poor or destitute? Lord, help us to get beyond the exterior. There is so much work to do. Help us to be disciple makers that desire to enter the fields and harvest what others miss!

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Matthew: Sermon on the Mount

Read: Matthew 5-7

There is no way that this simple post can adequately cover the vast material in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Seriously.

I have to point back to the primary purpose of this blog at this time: read through the Bible and post thoughts that stick out as significant.

With that disclaimer, let’s fly through this profound discourse of 111 verses in red letters — Jesus’ words — as captured by Matthew. Prepare to be amazed:

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,
because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Matthew 7:28-29

Each section of this narrative invites us to get lost in the words of the greatest teacher the world has ever known. Jesus was much more than a great teacher, but from this perspective alone we have much to learn. Here’s an outline with links:

  1. The Beatitudes: Matthew 5:3-12
  2. Salt and Light: Matthew 5:13-16
  3. Christ Came to Fulfill the Law: Matthew 5:17-20
  4. Anger === Murder: Matthew 5:21-26
  5. Lust === Adultery: Matthew 5:27-30
  6. Divorce: Matthew 5:31-32
  7. Oaths: Matthew 5:33-37
  8. Retaliation, Eye for Eye: Matthew 5:38-42
  9. Love Your Enemies: Matthew 5:43-48
  10. Give to the Needy: Matthew 6:1-4
  11. The Lord’s Prayer: Matthew 6:5-15
  12. Fasting: Matthew 6:16-18
  13. Lay up Treasures in Heaven: Matthew 6:19-24
  14. Do Not Be Anxious: Matthew 6:25-34
  15. Judging Others: Matthew 7:1-6
  16. Ask, Seek, Knock: Matthew 7:7-11
  17. The Golden Rule: Matthew 7:12
  18. The Narrow and Wide Gates: Matthew 7:13-14
  19. True and False Prophets: Matthew 7:15-20
  20. True and False Disciples: Matthew 7:21-23
  21. Wise and Foolish Builders: Matthew 7:24-27

The outline alone is overwhelming! How can we begin to talk about this today? The simple answer: pick one of the 21 items above and listen to the words of Jesus for your life at this moment. A quick search on Amazon.com revealed: 3,599 results for “sermon on the mount.”

Here are some thoughts to consider:

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12

During the Servant Leadership class yesterday, one of the Spiritual Gifts we discussed was that of prophecy. While it may be wonderful to be given the gift of prophecy, it comes with a price. Reading through the prophets in the Old Testament, we certainly walk away with the appreciation for the difficulty that surrounded their ministry. The prophet’s reward is not one received on earth.

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20

That’s a verse that preaches well — not! In the Bible-belt south, where tracts are handed out and evangelists put notches in their belts for leading someone to say a prayer, the idea that “you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” is completely lost. Bonhoeffer’s idea of Cheap Grace comes to mind. On the other hand, Jesus didn’t think much of the Pharisees, so perhaps the bar really isn’t that high after all.

All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’;
anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Matthew 5:37

Wouldn’t life be much simpler if we would learn to just say ‘yes’ or ‘no’? No complicated oaths or legal documents, just speak the truth.

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:46-48

Loving our enemies is hard enough most of the time, but Jesus tags this hard lesson with “Be perfect.” Put that on a meme and post it! I wonder if He said this just before lunch, right after talking about loving enemies and walking the extra mile, oh, by the way, be perfect and pass the salad please. Forgive me for heretical thoughts, but seriously? We’ll have to unpack that section for sure!

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Matthew 6:3-4

I long for the day when I can be so attuned to the Spirit that giving to the needy is so second nature that I don’t even notice. The concept of helping those in need is discussed so many times throughout the Bible! This morning’s Our Daily Bread covered the concept from Psalm 41:1-3. Lord, help us to consider those in need and do something about it.

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24

Lord Jesus, help us to keep this in mind as we know we need funds to eat, to pay bills, to survive in this world. I earnestly pray that people will simply give to ministry without me asking for a dime. If my thoughts are so focused on building the kingdom, it seems like that would work out, yet we often ask for funding and donations, etc. How else can we survive? May we remain devoted to You, Lord, trusting You will take care of the details as You promised in the very next section: Do Not Worry.

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

That is my overwhelming prayer each day: Seek First. Thank you Jesus for that reassurance!

Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:9-11

Lord, help us to seek You first and ask for that which is truly important today. May our hearts be driven by the Spirit that our desires naturally ask for things that matter most.

So many thoughts to ponder as we read some highlights from the Sermon on the Mount. Sometimes I wish you had waited to come at a time when we could have recorded your sermons, broadcast them live, etc., but then again, Your timing and Your plans are so much better than the least of my thoughts.

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