In Matthew 15 the Pharisees again question Jesus about breaking the Law. The Pharisees had spent a lot of time interpreting the Old Testament especially the first five books of the Bible. Their problem was that they equated their interpretation with God’s Word. Jesus didn’t play the Pharisees games and did not choose to follow their rules over God’s Word. We have to be careful that we don’t allow our traditions and interpretations to become more important than God’s Word. Jesus warned them by quoting Isaiah 29:13, “These people honor with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.” Jesus makes it clear that He is not interested in Religion but Relationship. Later in the chapter Jesus healed the daughter of a Canaanite woman which He would have never done had He followed the rules of the Pharisees.
“Lord, keep us focused on You. Let us learn and live from You. Remind us when we put tradition over truth. Let us desire to see You more than keeping rules. I pray this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Matthew 13
I do not know if you have noticed or not, but Matthew is structured in narrative/teaching structure. This chapter is a teaching chapter in Matthew, specifically teaching through parables. Each parable in the book of Matthew tells of the "Kingdom of Heaven," or the Kingdom of God as it is referred to in other gospels. Most of these parables have something to do with the land, as the people who Jesus taught were the "people of the land."
First Jesus tells of the parable of the sower and the soil. Some people hear the message of the Kingdom of God, and the enemy comes and snatches it away. Some hear the message, but it only effects them shallowly. Others here about the Kingdom, and the worries of life get in the way. But some here the message of the Kingdom, and it produces fruit in their lives. You see this parable lived out by different people within the Gospel. The Pharisees and religious leaders hear the message, but do not believe it. The huge crowds who follow Jesus, but abandon him in the end can be seen as the middle two soils. But those who hear and believe the message, Jesus produces fruit in their lives. The Parable of the weeds explains the righteous harvest that God will have at the end of times. The parable of the mustard seed and yeast I think is particularly relevant and challenging for us today in the American church. We so often look for immediate results. Our nation has been called a "Fast-food nation." But that is not the way the Kingdom works. Rather the Kingdom is like a mustard seed and yeast, which starts small, but over time grows.
Sometimes it is hard to understand the parables of Jesus, given that we are so far removed from the context. However, they are important to understand since they speak of the Kingdom of God and how it works. The Kingdom of God is the message that Jesus proclaimed, and wants his followers to live out. It is not something that "seven steps" will adequately explain. The Kingdom of God is at work in this world. It has been sown and is working slowly in the world, effecting change no matter where it goes.
"God, help us to be aware of your Kingdom in this world. Grow us, harvest us, and mold us into citizens of your Kingdom. Amen."
First Jesus tells of the parable of the sower and the soil. Some people hear the message of the Kingdom of God, and the enemy comes and snatches it away. Some hear the message, but it only effects them shallowly. Others here about the Kingdom, and the worries of life get in the way. But some here the message of the Kingdom, and it produces fruit in their lives. You see this parable lived out by different people within the Gospel. The Pharisees and religious leaders hear the message, but do not believe it. The huge crowds who follow Jesus, but abandon him in the end can be seen as the middle two soils. But those who hear and believe the message, Jesus produces fruit in their lives. The Parable of the weeds explains the righteous harvest that God will have at the end of times. The parable of the mustard seed and yeast I think is particularly relevant and challenging for us today in the American church. We so often look for immediate results. Our nation has been called a "Fast-food nation." But that is not the way the Kingdom works. Rather the Kingdom is like a mustard seed and yeast, which starts small, but over time grows.
Sometimes it is hard to understand the parables of Jesus, given that we are so far removed from the context. However, they are important to understand since they speak of the Kingdom of God and how it works. The Kingdom of God is the message that Jesus proclaimed, and wants his followers to live out. It is not something that "seven steps" will adequately explain. The Kingdom of God is at work in this world. It has been sown and is working slowly in the world, effecting change no matter where it goes.
"God, help us to be aware of your Kingdom in this world. Grow us, harvest us, and mold us into citizens of your Kingdom. Amen."
Friday, April 10, 2009
Matthew 12
In Matthew 12 Jesus is accused of being a Sabbath breaker. Jesus is charged because his disciples picked some heads of grain on the Sabbath, and then Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath. Jesus answers that charge on two accounts. One, what they are accusing him of doing has been done before. David and the Priests had eaten bread on the Sabbath and it was worse because it was consecrated bread. As far as doing good on the Sabbath any of them would help a sheep out of a ditch on the Sabbath, which wouldn’t be as noble as helping a fellow human being. The other reason Jesus gave was that the true purpose of the Sabbath was to do good.
The Pharisees then attribute Jesus’ miracles to the fact that he is from the devil. Jesus tells them that Satan wouldn’t be about doing good.
The last part of this chapter has the Pharisees wanting more signs. This seems strange because they have witnessed numerous signs. Jesus calls people who continual need signs to believe “A wicked and adulterous generation.” However, Jesus does give them a sign that they don’t understand. It is the sign of Jonah which Jesus uses to symbolize the death, burial and resurrection. It is the greatest sign ever given. It is the sign that death has been conquered.
“Holy Father, on this Good Friday, we thank You for sending Jesus to die on a cross for us. I pray this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
The Pharisees then attribute Jesus’ miracles to the fact that he is from the devil. Jesus tells them that Satan wouldn’t be about doing good.
The last part of this chapter has the Pharisees wanting more signs. This seems strange because they have witnessed numerous signs. Jesus calls people who continual need signs to believe “A wicked and adulterous generation.” However, Jesus does give them a sign that they don’t understand. It is the sign of Jonah which Jesus uses to symbolize the death, burial and resurrection. It is the greatest sign ever given. It is the sign that death has been conquered.
“Holy Father, on this Good Friday, we thank You for sending Jesus to die on a cross for us. I pray this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Matthew 11
Happy Mandy Thursday Folks!
I always wondered what the relationship between Jesus and John was growing up. They were cousins after all, only six months apart. Did they both always know what was going to happen? John doesn't seem too sure in this passage and so he sends his disciples while he was in jail to Jesus to make sure Jesus was the Messiah. When asked Jesus replied, "The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor." What is Jesus talking about? Jesus is quoting Isaiah 61, like he does in Luke 4. That passage pronounces freedom for those under oppression, but interestingly Jesus leaves out one part of it: the prisoner being set free. Then Jesus begins to teach about John the Baptist and who he was: the one who prepared for the Messiah's coming. Both he and Jesus are scorned by the religious leaders who Jesus calls violent.
Jesus then switches to a lament and warning against the cities he had just visited and performed miracles there. He says if he had performed the miracles elsewhere, in two Greek cities no less, they would have repented. Jesus is not a magic show to be exploited. His message is one of healing and repentance. Jesus is Lord and Savior. He is not someone to be used, but rather someone to be followed. Jesus goes on and says that children have figured this out, but not adults for some reason. Then Jesus gives one of my favorite sayings from the Bible, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
We need that. We need rest. Most of us are so busy. When I was in Africa a couple of years ago, the Africans had a word for "white person." It is "Muzungu." It means "one who runs in circles." Take some time to rest in the presence of God. His yoke is easy and his burden is light. Let the peace of Christ come over you and free you from the burdens of life.
"God, grant us rest in your presence. Place your yoke upon us because our yoke weighs us down. Amen"
I always wondered what the relationship between Jesus and John was growing up. They were cousins after all, only six months apart. Did they both always know what was going to happen? John doesn't seem too sure in this passage and so he sends his disciples while he was in jail to Jesus to make sure Jesus was the Messiah. When asked Jesus replied, "The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor." What is Jesus talking about? Jesus is quoting Isaiah 61, like he does in Luke 4. That passage pronounces freedom for those under oppression, but interestingly Jesus leaves out one part of it: the prisoner being set free. Then Jesus begins to teach about John the Baptist and who he was: the one who prepared for the Messiah's coming. Both he and Jesus are scorned by the religious leaders who Jesus calls violent.
Jesus then switches to a lament and warning against the cities he had just visited and performed miracles there. He says if he had performed the miracles elsewhere, in two Greek cities no less, they would have repented. Jesus is not a magic show to be exploited. His message is one of healing and repentance. Jesus is Lord and Savior. He is not someone to be used, but rather someone to be followed. Jesus goes on and says that children have figured this out, but not adults for some reason. Then Jesus gives one of my favorite sayings from the Bible, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
We need that. We need rest. Most of us are so busy. When I was in Africa a couple of years ago, the Africans had a word for "white person." It is "Muzungu." It means "one who runs in circles." Take some time to rest in the presence of God. His yoke is easy and his burden is light. Let the peace of Christ come over you and free you from the burdens of life.
"God, grant us rest in your presence. Place your yoke upon us because our yoke weighs us down. Amen"
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Matthew 10
Let me begin today's blog by apologizing for not having blogs up the last few days. Hopefully, we will not have such a lapse again.
Matthew 10 has Jesus sending the twelve out on mission. Going on mission is at the heart of the teaching of Jesus. Jesus had been training the disciples through example and now it was their turn to minister. They were told to preach as they go. They were given authority to heal, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy and to drive out demons. The Bible doesn't report the results of this mission. I am curious to know how they did.
The advice Jesus gives the disciples before sending them out needs to be taken seriously by us today. There is so much in this chapter I cannot comment on the teachings so I will pick a few. Hopefully, some of you will blog some of your insight as well.
In verse 14 Jesus tells them to shake the dust off their feet if their message is not listened too. Too many times I have been discouraged when I have witnessed to someone and they have rejected what I have had to say. Jesus tells us not to carry that with us. Just because someone rejects Jesus doesn't mean that we have to be less enthusiastic in sharing it with someone else.
Verse 22 tells us to stand firm to the end. Living the Christian life and being on mission is more like a marathon than a sprint. We are not to give up but we are to endure.
Verse 39 gives us the key to life. We are to lose ourselves in Jesus. If we try to find a life for ourself it will not last. The only way to have a lasting life is to be completely absorbed in Jesus.
"Lord, help us as we all go to our mission fields today whether at work, school or play. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen."
Matthew 10 has Jesus sending the twelve out on mission. Going on mission is at the heart of the teaching of Jesus. Jesus had been training the disciples through example and now it was their turn to minister. They were told to preach as they go. They were given authority to heal, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy and to drive out demons. The Bible doesn't report the results of this mission. I am curious to know how they did.
The advice Jesus gives the disciples before sending them out needs to be taken seriously by us today. There is so much in this chapter I cannot comment on the teachings so I will pick a few. Hopefully, some of you will blog some of your insight as well.
In verse 14 Jesus tells them to shake the dust off their feet if their message is not listened too. Too many times I have been discouraged when I have witnessed to someone and they have rejected what I have had to say. Jesus tells us not to carry that with us. Just because someone rejects Jesus doesn't mean that we have to be less enthusiastic in sharing it with someone else.
Verse 22 tells us to stand firm to the end. Living the Christian life and being on mission is more like a marathon than a sprint. We are not to give up but we are to endure.
Verse 39 gives us the key to life. We are to lose ourselves in Jesus. If we try to find a life for ourself it will not last. The only way to have a lasting life is to be completely absorbed in Jesus.
"Lord, help us as we all go to our mission fields today whether at work, school or play. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen."
Friday, April 3, 2009
Exodus 36
Exodus 36 has the work of the Tabernacle continuing. A couple of truths stick out of this passage.
One, the skilled craftsmen were dedicating their talents to the Lord in constructing the Tabernacle. Notice that they had been given special ability by the Lord. Verse 2 points out that they worked on the Tabernacle willingly as opposed to Pharaoh forcing them to build the store cities.
Two, there was an offering taken up to provide for the Tabernacle. It was a voluntary offering. Moses could have accessed a tax on everyone, but God instructed Moses to take up a freewill offering. I enjoyed reading about the craftsmen leaving their work to tell Moses they had too much and the people needed to stop giving. What an offering!
The building of the Tabernacle was God’s idea. It would stand for ‘why’ the children of Israel left Egyptian bondage. Moses kept asking Pharaoh to allow them to go out so they could worship. Freedom is a strong theme in these passages. In Egypt they were forced to labor and forced to give. Under God’s rule it was their choice to serve and to give. Freely choosing to worship and serve God is the only way we can come to the Lord. Also, we must be free from the things that hold us in bondage to truly worship the Lord.
One, the skilled craftsmen were dedicating their talents to the Lord in constructing the Tabernacle. Notice that they had been given special ability by the Lord. Verse 2 points out that they worked on the Tabernacle willingly as opposed to Pharaoh forcing them to build the store cities.
Two, there was an offering taken up to provide for the Tabernacle. It was a voluntary offering. Moses could have accessed a tax on everyone, but God instructed Moses to take up a freewill offering. I enjoyed reading about the craftsmen leaving their work to tell Moses they had too much and the people needed to stop giving. What an offering!
The building of the Tabernacle was God’s idea. It would stand for ‘why’ the children of Israel left Egyptian bondage. Moses kept asking Pharaoh to allow them to go out so they could worship. Freedom is a strong theme in these passages. In Egypt they were forced to labor and forced to give. Under God’s rule it was their choice to serve and to give. Freely choosing to worship and serve God is the only way we can come to the Lord. Also, we must be free from the things that hold us in bondage to truly worship the Lord.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Exodus 34
Exodus 34 records God re-establishing the covenant with Israel. Even though the children of Israel break the covenant soon after it was established God through the intercession of Moses is willing to establish it again. In the re-establishing ceremony the characteristics of God are extolled. God is merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, faithful, keeps steadfast love, and is forgiving. The children of Israel learn that they serve a loving God and not a vengeful God. The attributes of God need to be shared with everyone because very few people really believe God cares.
I personally resonated with Moses prayer in verse 9, “… Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance.” It is good for us to see ourselves for who we are when we come before God. We are all sinners saved by grace.
“Lord, You are truly great! You are loving, kind and yet just. Thank You for saving sinners. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.”
I personally resonated with Moses prayer in verse 9, “… Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance.” It is good for us to see ourselves for who we are when we come before God. We are all sinners saved by grace.
“Lord, You are truly great! You are loving, kind and yet just. Thank You for saving sinners. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.”
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