Category: Matthew

Standing or Falling

Genesis 13-14, Proverbs 8, Matthew 4

Devotion by Marcia Railton (IN)

Smooth, delicious chocolate, sometimes with crunchy nuts or gooey caramel (instead of the nutritious salad fixings abandoned in my fridge). Or really sugar in just about any form.

A “well-deserved” social media break, just for a few minutes, that turns into much longer.

On-line shopping to find just the right pair of shoes for a trip, or maybe I need pants, or what about that sweater, would that color look good on me?

Those were three temptations I caved in to just last night when I was supposed to be writing this devotion! Yikes! When my sleepy husband asked why I was so late in getting to bed, I said something like I had been busy falling into temptation. No, I hadn’t spent the late night hours murdering my neighbor, stealing from the bank on the corner, or bowing down to carved idols. But, I had said ‘Yes’ to my own selfish, meaningless, unhealthy pursuits instead of being and doing what God most desired for me – what was best for me.

Perhaps, I should not be the one writing the devotion today. I am obviously not a specialist in standing up to temptation. I need an example to follow, I need to learn from a master – Ah, yes, thank God, He DID indeed provide the perfect example who longs to be my master. He gave us His human Son Jesus. And right after the baptism of Jesus, and right before Jesus begins his years of ministry, God’s Holy Spirit led Jesus, God’s own beloved, pleasing Son, into the wilderness where he fasted for 40 days and 40 nights.

As we are looking for clues on how Jesus faced temptation so successfully, there’s a couple great ones right there. Jesus was already open to and actively being led by the Spirit. What did God’s spirit want for him? That’s what He wanted too, even when it meant willingly going into a difficult, sometimes even dangerous space.

Compare Jesus’ location and circumstance with Adam and Eve’s when they were also confronted with choices to make. The first son of God was surrounded with God’s bounty and beauty and provision in the spectacular garden. Good, healthy, God-honoring fruit literally surrounded them when they instead listened to the deception of the serpent and chose to eat of the tree that God had already clearly said “No” to. Jesus didn’t use his harsh surroundings or difficult circumstances as an excuse to be weak. Instead, he found strength in using that time to fast and pray and draw closer to God which indeed made him even stronger and better prepared to face his adversary. Don’t get so comfortable in your pleasant surroundings that you become weak and don’t recognize temptation for what it is. Don’t fear the time spent in the harsh wilderness, but use the opportunity to cling closer and closer to what really matters – the God who is always there.

After the 40 days of fasting Jesus gives us the next big answer of how he faced each one of Satan’s three temptations in the wilderness – with the very words of God His Father, each and every time. In fact, the first Scripture Jesus quotes to Satan are strong words about the sustaining power from the words of God, and our need for God’s word, from the book of Deuteronomy: “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4) If we try to face temptation without the power of God’s word we will be weak. Matthew 4:4 is a great verse for me to remember today when I sit down to work on tomorrow’s devotion! Here’s a few more:

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. – Ephesians 6:14-17

God’s word: read it, learn it, use it – and live (better and stronger today and also for eternity).

God’s word: neglect it, forget it, try to do life your own way – and die (but first, you will likely waste a lot of time, have a lot of self-made sorrow, and miss out on doing God’s will).

His Words are not just for gaining knowledge, they are for fighting temptation, finding truth, for making strong and giving life. Don’t miss out!

Let’s review what we have seen from Jesus about successfully facing temptation: Jesus was willing to be led by the Spirit. He used his time in the wilderness well. He fasted and drew closer to God. He recognized Satan for who he was. He discerned the lies and empty promises of the deceiver and actively chose what God said and promised instead. He wanted God’s will, not his own. He knew God’s Word. He used God’s Word as a sword to do battle against untruth, temptations and the tempter. He said, “Away with you Satan!” And he was victorious!

What about you? Do you know what temptations you face regularly? What do you crave? What do you covet? What are you jealous of? What leads you astray? What do you feel guilty about? Where do you lose self-control? What good do you neglect and why? How do you waste time? What do you say ‘Yes’ to that God wanted you to say ‘No” to? And, what do you say ‘No’ to that God wanted you to say ‘Yes’ to? What is Satan whispering in your ear or in your heart? What do you worship (with your time, money, devotion, or decisions)?

Realize you have choices, decisions to make. Big ones and little ones. It’s not just about not murdering your neighbor and not bowing down to carved idols. It’s also about how you treat the gift of the miraculous body God gave you. It’s about how you choose to spend the gift of the time God gives you. It’s about how you treat the people God surrounds you with. It’s about if you choose what you want, or what God wants.

And Satan (as well as the world and marketers today) can make the bad choice, or the selfish one, or the unhealthy one, look pretty good, that’s what makes it tempting. If it looked like the garbage it is, we would gladly turn from it. Don’t be fooled by the stone that looks like bread, the impressive view, and Satan’s promises.

God gives the perfect example of His Son. Follow that example – not mine.

God gives His Word, the Scriptures – the sword to do battle with the tempter. It worked for Jesus. I need to use it better!

God gives knowledge, wisdom and discernment – ask for it and use it.

God gives the spirit of self-control – that’s the one I want.

God gives forgiveness and new beginnings.

Prayer

Dear God – I am sorry. Please forgive me of the many times I fall to temptation. Help me do better, Lord God. Help me follow the example of your Son when I am in the wilderness and also when I am in the garden. Help me go where Your Spirit is leading. Help me forsake what I want and choose instead what You want, which is indeed the best for me. Help me see garbage for what it is, and turn from it to you and your gifts, again and again. I ask for wisdom and discernment to see what is from You and what are deceptions from the deceiver. Help me use your Word well to be strong against temptation. Thank you for your Word, your forgiveness, love and mercy and a new day to work at doing Your will better. Help me use all that you give me to stand strong against temptation. Thank you for the example and sacrifice of your Son Jesus. In his name we pray to You the Almighty. Amen.

Reflection Questions

  1. Compare and contrast when Satan came to the garden and when he came to the wilderness? What similarities do you see? What differences? Is Satan still making visits? What does it look like?
  2. Consider the paragraph of questions regarding what are temptations for you. What do you see about your own temptations? What temptations do you sometimes fall to?
  3. Eating chocolate isn’t always a sin or temptation is it? But is it sometimes? When? Why? What makes the difference?
  4. What scriptures can you find (and put in your home and in your heart) to help you face your temptations better armed with the Sword of the Spirit?
  5. Have you ever tried fasting when facing a particularly difficult time of temptation?
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Fruit in the Wilderness

Genesis 9-11, Proverbs 6, Matthew 3

Devotion by Marcia Railton (IN)

You might not expect a man who works in the wilderness and eats locusts and wild honey to talk much about fruit. But here in Matthew 3 we hear from just such a man, one who is often referred to as John the Baptist, speaking twice of fruit.

Perhaps his most famous line is, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near!” (Matthew 3:2 NASB). It is such an effective charge and accurate description of the ministry given by God, that Jesus will also say the exact same thing when he begins his preaching in the next chapter (Matthew 4:17). The kingdom of heaven is a term used only by Matthew, and he, a Jew who was very careful about his use of “God”, spoke often of the kingdom of heaven. The other gospel and New Testament writers did not use the term kingdom of heaven but rather called it the kingdom of God. In the Old Testament neither phrase was used, but the people of God were definitely looking for the promised Messiah, the Chosen and Anointed One of God who would save them, and they too were looking forward to a kingdom set up by the God of heaven, an everlasting kingdom (such as Daniel 2:44). As the Messiah, Jesus Christ, was now ready to begin his preaching ministry on earth the kingdom was closer than it had ever been before! The time to repent had certainly come!

As John addresses some of his audience, the Pharisees and Sadducees (who in their pride and self-righteousness will reject the Messiah), John calls them a “brood of vipers” (or offspring of vipers), referring to being poisonous, spiritually speaking. Perhaps this sounds familiar to us because on more than one occasion Jesus will use the same term for them as well (Matthew 12:34 and again in 23:33).

So with the “pleasantries” aside, John gets right to the meat, or perhaps in this case, the fruit of his preaching saying: “Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance; 9 and do not assume that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’; for I tell you that God is able, from these stones, to raise up children for Abraham. 10 And the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore, every tree that does not bear good fruit is being cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 3:8-10 NASB). Having told his listeners to repent he now tells them to bear fruit consistent with repentance. In other words, don’t tell me that you repent – show me that you repent. To repent is much more than recognizing or even saying that you have been and done wrong. To truly repent requires a change, a movement, an actual TURN from sin. A visible, tangible, positive, nourishing, healthy “fruit” that is evidence of the inner heart change.

The Jewish Pharisees and Sadducees were relying on their genealogy, their fancy titles, their turned up noses, their faithful fathers, their long lists of human made rules, their strict checkmarks. God wasn’t impressed. John was sent to prepare the people for Jesus. He said, repent, it’s time to change. Jesus would also repeat John’s words: “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 7:19). It is important. Eternal life and death important. Are you bearing good fruit consistent with repentance?

Reflection Questions

  1. What have you repented of? What do you need to repent of? Beyond saying you are sorry, what will it look like to change and turn from sin? What will the fruit in keeping with repentance look like in your life?
  2. John the Baptizer was known for his message of repentance and the act of baptizing, and in fact Jesus’ baptism by John also happens in this chapter, when the voice from heaven (that would be God) acknowledges that Jesus is His beloved and pleasing Son (I love that part!). How does John’s message of repentance and the act of baptism go hand and hand? Why do you think the perfect Son of God was baptized?
  3. Jesus continues the fruit theme a few chapters later saying, “You will know them by their fruit” (Matthew 7:19). What fruit are you known by: good fruit or bad? Give an example of each (good and bad) that you have grown in the past? What type of good fruit do you want to grow today and in the future? What is required to grow this good fruit?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for your beloved and pleasing Son, your chosen Messiah, and the example and teaching he brought and the kingdom that is closer today than it was yesterday. Thank you for John who prepared the way for Jesus. Help us also prepare others to meet Jesus. Thank you for the opportunity you give us to repent and turn from sin towards You and Your better way. Help me not be like a Pharisee who proudly thought they had it all together. Show me, Lord, where I need to change, what I need to repent of, and what good fruit you want me to bear. Help be honestly see and get rid of bad fruit in my life so I am prepared for Your Son’s return. In his name we pray, Amen.

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Backchannels and Backstabbers

Matthew 26 and Mark 14

Devotion by JJ Fletcher (Minnesota)

People are complex. We have ideals that we want to live by, but often fall short and fall into patterns of behavior that disgust us. I’m sure all of us want to live like the gospel is the primary motivator for our lives. We want to care for others, we want to honor God and Jesus with our behavior, and we want to shine the light of truth into a dark world. We hit speed bumps, we have a bad day, someone slights us, and we are consumed by disappointment, anger, or frustration, and take our eye off the ball.

We want to honor God, but we also want to be comfortable. We want to be well off financially or to be perceived in a certain way, and we sometimes will slide into behaviors that are focused on taking care of our needs and desires rather than building God’s Kingdom.

Sometimes fear is a motivator rather than hope. How will people view us if we stand out as different from the status quo? What if the movement or organization that we are a part of falls apart? Will we be seen as a failure? Will we be shunned? Will we suffer the same defeat or demise as those whom we have followed or associated ourselves with?

In Matthew 26, we are in the lead-up to the Passover celebration. While this is in view, Jesus also knows what is about to happen… His arrest and execution.

The Pharisees are frustrated. They have been seeing Jesus grow in influence and popularity, which in turn has diminished their influence and the perception that they are the leaders and influencers of the Jewish people. They confront Jesus constantly, yet they are no match for his wisdom and insight. Jesus, in his spirit-filled wisdom, always has the upper hand over the Pharisees, who seem far more interested in discrediting and diminishing Jesus than actually considering that he may be the Messiah. They want to remain the thought leaders of the people, and Jesus is putting the kibosh on them.

As I’ve already brought up, Jesus is popular, and if the Pharisees were seen to be actively trying to dispose of him, they would face some severe backlash. With Passover just around the corner, they see the need to be careful. There are extra eyes everywhere as people have come into Jerusalem to celebrate. So, they start plotting how to secretly apprehend Jesus and quietly have him put to death. They want to make it seem like this is not of their doing, but how? They are dealing in back-channel communications to figure out how to proceed. A golden, or maybe silver, opportunity will soon present itself.

Enter Judas. He’s been with Jesus through the thick of his ministry. But Judas perhaps is not a fan of Jesus’ teaching on wealth. No one is identified specifically in Matthew 26:8-9, but I wonder if Judas is a driver of the indignant attitude of the disciples about this valuable ointment that Jesus is anointed with. In John 12, we are told that Judas would help himself to the money that was collected, and the sale of this ointment would give him more funds to dip into. Judas doesn’t care about the poor; he cares about himself. Judas sees the success of Jesus’ ministry as an opportunity to enrich himself. Perhaps Judas does believe that Jesus is who he claims to be, but he is motivated by his own desires, and this gives an opening for some back-channel dealings with the Pharisees. Judas goes to the Pharisees in secret and asks how much of a payoff they will give him if he delivers Jesus to them. What a backstabber, the ultimate betrayal. Jesus, of course, knows this is going to happen, which must make his preparations for the upcoming events even more brutal to contemplate.

Peter is bold. But he’s also kind of a coward. Jesus knows this. Deep down, maybe Peter knows this, but he’s not willing to cop to it. When Jesus is about to be arrested, Peter is willing to go on the offensive in the moment; he’s willing to go down to protect Jesus, but after Jesus is arrested, Peter has time to think, and he perhaps ponders what will happen to those who were closely associated with Jesus if he is convicted and executed. He ends up denying Jesus as his fear gets the better of him. A bit of a stab in the back to Jesus.

Both Peter and Judas fell into the trap of doing what they saw as best for them, rather than what was right. Judas ends up committing suicide; he can’t live with what he has done, or the repercussions of what this will do to his standing and life outlook. Peter, however, finds redemption. Jesus gives him three opportunities to affirm him, and after Jesus ascends to heaven, Peter becomes the primary leader of the church. Never again will he deny Jesus; he will die for the sake of the gospel. 

Reflection Questions:

1.        In what ways have you experienced failures in your walk? What has allowed you to overcome failure and not let it defeat you?

2.        How can we navigate our pride and celebrate the successes of others, rather than act like the Pharisees and look to undermine or defeat others? How can these attitude dynamics make or break a church? 

3.        Can you think of some ways that help set you up to put faith before your wants and superficial needs?

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Three Pictures of Judgement

Matthew 25

Devotion by Jacob Rohrer (Rhode Island)

Today as we look at Matthew 25 we should take notice that though we are starting a new chapter the context surrounding this chapter is the same as that of chapter 24. Matthew 24 and 25 are a single unit of thought. This can be seen in verse 1 with the word “then” (the NIV says “at that time”) indicating what Jesus was speaking about in chapter 24 is continuing into chapter 25. The focus of the chapter is about the end of this age when Jesus returns and the judgement that he will enact. 

There are three pictures of judgement in chapter 25. The first two are parables (the parable of the ten virgins and the parable of the talents) and the last one is a description of the judgement scene. 

In the first parable there are ten virgins who wait for the bridegroom. The bridegroom delays in appearing and all fall asleep but suddenly the bridegroom appears but only five are ready for the bridegroom while the other five are not ready and they are denied entrance into the wedding feast. The virgins denied entrance are then told by the bridegroom he never knew them. 

The second parable is about a master and his slaves. The master gives each slave a talent (an amount of money) and went on a journey. When the master returns only two of the three slaves honored the master with what they were given. The third slave squandered his talent and is rebuked by the master and the slave is thrown out into the outer darkness.

The third picture of judgement involves Jesus separating goats from sheep among the nations. The sheep and goats represent those who belong to Jesus and those who do not. The sheep (believers) are rewarded with the kingdom and the goats (non-believers) are cast into hell with satan and his demons. 

What are we to make of this chapter? What does Jesus want us to learn from these three pictures of judgement? I believe it is this.

There is a judgement coming and not everyone who calls themself a Christian will enter into life. The reality is, not everyone who calls themself a Christian is a true believer. In all three teachings there is one group of people who are then divided into those who are accepted and those who are rejected. Many people comprise the Church but not everyone who attends church is a true believer. The judgement of Christ sorts out the self-deceived from the real believers. Jesus himself teaches this earlier in Matthew 13.24-30, 36-43 in the parable of the tares. And he also teaches this in Matthew 7.21-22. 

Who are you? Are you deceived or a true believer in Christ? The five virgins were accepted into the feast because they were ready and prepared. The 2 slaves were honored by the master because they were faithful with what the master had given them. And the sheep entered the kingdom because they loved and served other Christians in need. 

A true believer will have evidence of salvation in their life. A true believer bears the fruit of the spirit, they grow in holiness, they grow in their disdain for sin, they hunger for the scriptures, they serve other Christians and people. A real believer matures and grows in Christ.

Paul tells the Corinthians in II Cor. 13.5 to test themselves against the scriptures to see if they are in the faith. Compare yourself to scripture and to the words of Jesus. Have you really received salvation from God? In addition to this, talk with mature believers closest to you about this serious matter if you question your salvation.

(Originally posted for SeekGrowLove on November 7, 2020)

Reflection Questions:

  1. What do you think Jesus wants you to learn from Matthew 25?
  2. “Who are you? Are you deceived or a true believer in Christ?” What does a true believer look like, sound like, do, believe?
  3. What can you do today to be more prepared to be judged by Jesus?
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Watch Out!

Matthew 24

In Matthew 24, Jesus’ disciples ask him what the sign will be for his coming and the end of the age. The disciples are anticipating the age to come and the restoration of all things that we see Peter refer to in Acts 3:21. Jesus speaks about quite a few things that will occur prior to his return, but we’ll focus on verses 4-14.

First, there will be some who come claiming to be the Messiah. The Jewish historian Josephus notes that there were multiple individuals who fit this description. There were 4 in particular whom he records as leading messianic-like movements in the first century. While Josephus’ writings are open to debate and interpretation, they do seem to indicate that these individuals were doing what Jesus said they would. These individuals seem to have had political aspirations that prompted their messianic claims. Whether claims were specific to being the Messiah or not, they could be seen as trying to functionally fill into that role.

In politics, there are often claims about how a candidate is going to make things better. An individual can be looked at as a kind of savior by his supporters. In recent American political history, Barack Obama and Donald Trump have had supporters who perhaps viewed them as a type of “messiah”, someone who will “fix” everything that is broken. While they did not make bold messianic claims, it does, in my view, highlight how that type of following can take someone’s eye off the ball in terms of focusing on Jesus. 

Jesus’ warning is that these “false Christs” will lead many astray. In the absence of the true Messiah, there will always be a danger of some individual or group making bold claims that can lead people astray by shifting focus and allegiance away from the Gospel and Jesus.

Second, Jesus speaks of wars and rumors of wars. This is not to say that the presence of war will hint at his immediate coming, but that this will be a reality of life in the time preceding his return. Governments will be looking to exert control and solidify their power. Peace will not be a constant, because the world will not recognize Jesus as king, and even the view that someone has the correct doctrines or ideas will lead to violence against those who are “wrong”. Jesus also mentions that there will be famines and earthquakes, and perhaps other natural disasters can be seen in line with these. These are not seen as culminating events, but rather Jesus describes them as the beginning of birth pangs. These are like early contractions in a pregnancy. There is still a ways to go, but they are a reminder of where things are headed.      

Third, there will be turmoil for the faithful. There will be nations that oppose the gospel and will do what they can to root it out. Whether it be Rome trying to eliminate Christianity in the first century or the Chinese Communist Party opposing Christianity in the 21st century, Jesus highlights that this will be a normal occurrence as the end of the age draws nearer. 

Fourth, there will be many who fall away from the Gospel. This may not mean that they abandon the moniker of “Christ” or “Christian”, but they will functionally not operate as such. Hate and betrayal are common occurrences among those who have fallen away. Perhaps due to power struggles and desire to be the most influential, or maybe even for self-preservation. This disunity will create opportunities for false teachers to infiltrate and influence those who want to follow Jesus, but this false teaching will lead many astray. The co-opting of Christianity as a political tool has been observed in history. State-sponsored churches exist in some countries, and believers with “heterodox” views are barred from legally teaching and proselytizing according to their understanding of scripture, such as a plain reading of scripture, free from longstanding tradition. 

Fifth, all of these things will culminate in a sort of lawlessness. The fallout of this includes what Jesus describes as “the love of many growing cold”. In Revelation, Jesus calls out the church of Ephesus for not having the love that they had at first. Jesus recognizes that the two greatest commandments are to love God and to love people. If love goes cold, there ceases to be obedience to one of the greatest commandments. A lack of love for people, specifically the lost, will prevent a “believer” from staying the course on the mission to spread the gospel. 

Jesus says that the one who endures to the end will be saved. This indicates that some will fall away from the saving gospel (see the parable of the Sower). Salvation is for the faithful (though not the perfect), and the faithful will stay the course and share the gospel with the nations. Jesus indicates that there will continue to be those who will remain faithful and push on to spread the gospel, and at some point after the gospel has been preached throughout all the world, he will return. 

Reflection Questions:

1.        Why do you think people fell prey to false Messiahs? What might a false Messiah look like today?

2.        How can we fight against our love growing cold and allowing false teachers to infiltrate our churches? Does church discipline factor into this?

3.        How can you do your part to make sure that the gospel is being preached? Do we sometimes look too much at the big picture and not the practical, small parts of ministry that we can participate in?

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GOAT

Matthew 22 & Mark 12

Devotion by Paula Kirkpatrick (Minnesota)

When you hear the term GOAT, what do you think of?  A furry four-legged animal with horns that has been known to butt humans or “faint?”  Or a term that has become familiar in the 21st century sports world—GOAT—Greatest of All Time. 

When I was a school librarian a few years ago, I added four “GOAT” books to the library.  They were all part of the “Sports Illustrated Kids: GOATS” series.  The students could check out “Olympic GOATS” and read about gymnast Simone Biles or swimmer Michael Phelps; “Football GOATS” and read about Tom Brady and Allan Page; “Basketball GOATS” and study the skills of Michael Jordan and LeBron James; or “Baseball GOATS” and read about famous players Sandy Koufax and Ted Williams.

We can speculate about the greatest sports figures, or the greatest actors in Hollywood, or the greatest leaders in world history.  But one cannot dispute the greatest commandment in the Bible.

“But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered themselves together. One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing 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 foremost commandment. The second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.’”  (Matt. 22:34-40)

We can see an expansion of Jesus’ words in our corresponding reading from Mark 12: 28-32 when Jesus says in verse 29, “Hear O Israel!  The Lord our God is one Lord,” before his declaration of the two greatest commandments.  In Mark 12:31b, Jesus says, “There is no other commandment greater than these.” 

These two commandments are the “GOATS” of the Bible. 

Jesus’ answer to the lawyer, who was trying to test him, was quoted directly from the Law.  Deuteronomy 6:5 says, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” and Leviticus 19:18 says, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  

In our Matthew passage, verse 40, Jesus adds this statement.  “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

What does Jesus mean by that? 

The entirety of the Law and the prophecies found throughout Scripture, were given to humanity to encourage us to love and exalt our Creator and to love His creation, particularly mankind.  This should be our ultimate purpose in life.

Jesus shared a similar directive in the Sermon on the Mount when he said, “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt. 7:12)

The Law regulated every facet of life in a Jewish family and Jewish hierarchy.  The voice of God’s prophets had instructed and corrected His people.  Yet the entirety of the Law and the Prophets meant essentially nothing if not established on these two simple commands, two greatest commands. Love God entirely.  Love others as you love yourself. 

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. We love, because He first loved us.”  (I John 4:7,11,19)

The GOATS of the world eventually change over time.  New athletes break sports records, Hollywood stars replace revered ones, and new world leaders accomplish historic milestones.

But the GOATS of the Scripture have never changed, will never change into eternity. 

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Reflection Questions

  1. Who do you think are some GOATS in sports or movies?
  2. How much of what you do and believe is based on these two commandments?
  3. What can you change or improve in your life this week to better follow these commandments?
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Open Our Eyes, Lord

Matthew 20-21

Devotion by Paula Kirkpatrick (Minnesota)

Even as Jesus neared the end of his earthly ministry, he daily continued to teach and to heal.  Leaving Jericho on his way to Jerusalem, (Matt. 20: 29-34), a great multitude followed him. 

Close your eyes and imagine the sounds of the boisterous crowd—lighthearted laughter among the men as they swapped stories; shrieks and giggles from the children as they ran ahead of their parents; crying babies consoled by their mothers.  But above the increasing din of the devoted crowd, pleading voices shouted out to Jesus.

“Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David.”  Two blind men, sitting by the road, had understood the chatter of the passing people.  Jesus was nearby! 

Their cries riled the multitude, and they demanded that the men be silent.  But the crowd’s command encouraged the two men even more.  “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David.” 

Jesus stopped and regarded the two pleading men.  “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 

They said to Him, “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.”

The Scriptures say Jesus was moved with compassion.  Picture his concern, his tenderness as he gazed upon them.  Reaching down, Jesus touched their eyes, and IMMEDIATELY they regained their sight.  “And followed him.”

We can only ponder how joyfully the two men joined the crowd that had tried to silence them, the crowd that now heard their shouts of praise.  Jesus had healed them, and their lives would never be the same.  Not only had the blind men’s eyes been opened, their hearts had been stirred. 

Jesus was moved with compassion when he saw them.  The blind men, now healed, were moved with devotion when they followed him. 

There’s a worship chorus that puts it so simply.

“Open our eyes, Lord.

We want to see Jesus.

To reach out and touch him.

And say that we love him.”

(Open Our Eyes Lord by Robert Cull)

Do we open our eyes each day to the wondrous compassion and love of our Savior?  Do we reflect on the matchless gift he has given us, the sacrifice of his life so ours might be saved?  Do we respond with love and affection to our “best friend?” 

Let this be our daily prayer. 

“Open our eyes, Lord

We want to see Jesus.”

Discussion Questions

  1. Why do you think the crowd tried to silence the two blind men?
  2. Why do you think Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”  Didn’t he already know?
  3. How will you “open your eyes” this week?
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Choosing to be Last

Matthew 19 & Mark 10

Devotion by Paula Kirkpatrick (Minnesota)

When I taught a primary Sunday School class many years ago, there were three eager learners in the class: a brother and sister, and another young boy who was their cousin.  The brother and sister were blond and blue-eyed, a sharp contrast to their cousin’s thick dark hair and brown eyes, but each one was bright and engaging, and so fun to teach.  They were also quite competitive.

“Who’s going to pass out the crayons?” I asked.  “I will,” declared one student, only to be challenged by another voice chiming in, “No, I will!”  Inevitably, the remaining student would declare, “I want to do it!  It’s my turn!” 

For several weeks, this vocal battle ensued each time a new task presented itself during our classtime.  We tried to keep track of “turns,” but it still didn’t seem to quiet the noise, or the challenge of, “No, it’s my turn!  He did it last week.”  Our precious learning time was being shortened by these weekly squabbles.

I needed a solution and Scripture provided the answer.  Matt. 19:30 says, “But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.”  Mark 10:19 repeats the same sentence. 

In Matt. 19:16-30 and Mark 10:17-31 we find the story of Jesus’ encounter with the rich, young ruler. 

One day, as Jesus was walking along the road, a rich young man came up to him. “Teacher,” the man said, “what good thing should I do to have eternal life?”

Jesus answered, “You know the commandments.” Jesus then began to list several of them.

“I have obeyed all the commandments since I was young,” the rich young man replied.

Jesus looked at the young man and loved him.  Then, he said to him, “You lack only one thing. Sell all you have and give the money to the poor so that you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard those words, he turned and walked away because he had many possessions.

As the rich young man sadly departed, Jesus declared to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God.”  Jesus’ words amazed the disciples.  Then he repeated again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God.  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 

Jesus’ statement astonished the disciples.  We can imagine them with eyes wide open, jaws dropped, and simply speechless for a few moments.  Finally, they asked, “Then who can be saved?”  Jesus responded, “with men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”

The rich young ruler had followed the law.  Yet Jesus wanted him to sell everything he owned.  Jesus saw what the disciples could not see—the young ruler’s heart.  His status, his possessions, were more important than following the example of Jesus, who came to serve mankind and ultimately sacrifice his life for all. 

Peter, still trying to understand the meaning of his teacher’s words, exclaimed, “Behold we have left everything and followed you.” 

Jesus’ loving response brought assurance. 

The disciples’ present sacrifices would be rewarded in the age to come.  They had left family and livelihood to follow their beloved Master and assist him in his ministry.  To others, they appeared as common laborers, poor and at the bottom of society.  But in the coming kingdom, their status would be undisputed. 

Paul says it well in I Timothy 4:7-8.  “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

When I shared this story with my students, a change happened.  As we began our class the next Sunday, I asked, “Who’s going to pass out the crayons?” 

I received these responses.  “You go ahead and do it;” “No, you can go first;” “I want to be last!”  Attitudes had changed!

All three children now wanted to be LAST each and every time!

“But many who are first, will be last; and the last first.”

Reflection Questions

  1.  Why is it hard for wealthy people to follow Jesus? 
  2. What “riches” do you have in your life that make it difficult to live for Jesus?
  3. How can you be “last” as you interact with others this week?    
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Lost and Found

Matthew 18

Devotion by J.J. Fletcher (Minnesota)

Yesterday, we read Mark 9, and today we see some of its parallels in Matthew 18. The idea of causing “a little one” to sin is here, as well as dealing with one who sins against you, and addressing our own sinful actions. Sandwiched in between these teachings, we read the parable of the lost sheep.

The image of Israel as a flock of sheep is prevalent in the Old Testament. Leaders are viewed like shepherds, but God is the ultimate shepherd. When Israel loses its way, God sends a messenger or “shepherd” to seek out the lost and bring them back to the fold, to the path that they should be walking on.

Sheep get a bad rap. They are often characterized as dumb, but they are far from it. Sheep can remember human faces and differentiate between them. Sheep are herd animals, and the fact that they rely on following the herd, or the sheep in front of them, contributes to the mischaracterization of their lack of intelligence.

You have probably followed someone whom you had a level of trust in, but at some point, you realized that you had followed them the wrong way. Was it easy to course correct, or did you wander for a while? Did someone have to come and find you to bring you back to where you were supposed to be?

There’s a saying that not all who wander are lost, but many who wander are in fact lost. We follow the wrong crowd or come under the teaching of someone who is guiding us in the wrong direction. Those of us who are parents are acutely aware of how challenging it is to raise our “flock” in a culture that embraces self-gratification and relative truth (my truth as opposed to objective truth). Maybe we have become devotees to tradition rather than God’s commands (see the Unwritten Rules devotion from Tuesday). 

We probably all have friends or family members who have gone astray, and we desperately hope to get them back to the flock. We see that God has that same desire, for the lost to be found, to be reunited with his flock. There is much joy when someone returns. The rejoicing over the one who returns over those who remained is not a statement of value; all the sheep are valuable. The celebration is that the one who has been saved from death is now safe, like the 99. 

There are powerful testimonies from people who have lived problematic lifestyles, who walked in a way that was destructive or even dangerous. Many of us have boring testimonies. What a joy to have not had to be saved from a life of trauma, addiction, or danger! We celebrate those powerful testimonies not because those who have struggled are better, but because we can see in their stories the power of the one who went out and found them.

Reflection Questions:

1.        Think about ways that you were lost and how God brought you back. What methods did he use? How can you see His handiwork in your faith story?

2.        How has God used you to seek out his lost sheep? When you feel God’s prompting, do you embrace it, or have you struggled and responded in some other way (Jonah, anyone?)? 

3.        What ways can we work to keep the flock together and avoid having that one sheep split off that we may need to go searching for?

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The Big Picture

Matthew 16, Mark 8, Luke 9:18-27

Devotion by JJ Fletcher (Minnesota)

It can be easy to get into the weeds when discussing and debating theology. There are many years behind us of writing and interpretation of the scriptures, and we can easily lose focus on the big picture when we’re bogged down in the minutiae. One could simply read scripture and take away that Jesus died for the sins of the world and that whoever believes in him will be saved. On the flip side, books have been written digging into how Jesus’ death and resurrection functionally deal with sin. Atonement theories such as Penal Substitution, Christus Victor, and Scapegoat Theory (among others) are ways to try to understand exactly the process through which God forgives through Jesus. The main thing we should remember is that the blood of Jesus brings forgiveness, regardless of the thoughts that we might have about how exactly God reconciles everything through Jesus.

The Pharisees were very much concerned with the letter of the law. Now I believe we should strive to understand scripture, but sometimes I can allow my views on specific doctrines or practices to overshadow others. We need to be striving to see the big picture and get to the spirit behind the words of scripture.

In today’s text, we see Jesus’ warning against the leaven of the Pharisees. This calls out things like false doctrine and hypocrisy that were present in the lives of the Pharisees that clashed with Jesus. This bad leaven will corrupt the “bread” that comes from it.

Jesus recognizes that there are key things that the disciples need to know and understand, specifically relating to his death and resurrection. But also, the big picture needs to be in view. Jesus asks Peter, who do people think that Jesus is, and he spits off a few theories, but then Jesus asks Peter who he thinks Jesus is, and he answers: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Big Picture. None of the things that Jesus shows and teaches Peter and the disciples will be impactful without this pig picture. Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is the Messiah. This confession is the foundation of the Church. We’re not always going to agree on everything, but we must agree on this primary fact: Jesus is the Savior, and in Him we must put our faith and hope. 

Reflection Questions:

1.        What distracts you from the big picture?

2.        Does your need to know how sometimes distract you from simply accepting what you read in scripture?

3.        Have ingrained habits or false things that you have been taught stood in your way of implementing your faith in every aspect of your life? Take a step back and look at the big picture in scripture and weigh your thoughts against what you see in the Bible.

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