Today’s reading in Matthew covers the parable of the sower. I want to focus on one of the soils. The last of the four types of ground that the seeds fall on is good soil. This soil allows the seed to grow deep roots without competition from neighboring weeds. Roots play a crucial role in the life of a plant – both anchoring it to the ground and absorbing important nutrients. Jesus explains later in the chapter that the good soil is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom and understands it.
There are a couple of other places in the New Testament that use the idea of being rooted. One of those places is Ephesians 3:16-19, which says that Christ dwells in our hearts and that by being rooted and grounded in love we may fully grasp the incredible love of Christ. I love using plants and roots as a metaphor for our lives as believers, both individually and together. When we hear the message of the Kingdom and it takes root in our lives, the power of God’s spirit strengthens us in our inward being. We have a union with Christ, as well as a union with each other as brothers and sisters in him. What does this mean for us?
The idea of being “rooted and grounded in love” seems to imply the love of the believers around us. That together we can fully know the love of Christ. “Grounded” can also be translated as “to lay the foundation.” It is actually the same word used in Matthew 7:25 when Jesus talks about the wise man’s house being founded on the rock. This foundation, this ground that we are rooted into is love.
Reading these verses made me think of the tree called Pando. Have you heard of this tree before? It is a one-tree aspen forest in Utah. There are over 47,000 trunks all connected through ONE root system. On the surface, they look like individual trees, but underneath, you see that they are all one–together. Crazy, right?
I think this is a beautiful representation of the body of Christ. When the word of the Kingdom is planted in your heart you join the foundation called the Church. We are built up, encouraged, and loved by each other.
As you read this parable, I want to encourage you to think about how the gospel has taken root in your life. Can you see how your faith has grown? How are you being rooted and grounded in love in your local church body? Is there one way this week that you can build those roots further?
-Katelyn Salyers
Reflection Questions
Can you see how your faith has grown? How are you being rooted and grounded in love in your local church body? Is there one way this week that you can build those roots further?
Can you give an example of each of the other types of soil in the Parable of the Sower? Have any of these been a problem for you?
Have you ever eaten a fresh orange straight from a tree? Or maybe an apple from an orchard? Fresh fruit is SO good. I know that some of you are currently in the thick of a snowy, cold winter. For those of us in the Southwest section of the U.S. it’s actually one of our growing seasons, believe it or not! Orange trees are fully loaded with fruit, here in Phoenix, Arizona. Well…most of them….
I have a small little tree right in the middle of my backyard. I did not plant this tree. Whoever planted it didn’t leave any information about what kind of tree it was. I’m a midwest girl and I could not tell you what kind of leaves each fruit tree has. This little dude is small enough that it isn’t growing any fruit yet (although maybe that’s more on us than this tree!). Since I can’t see its fruit, it is hard to tell what kind of tree it is. (For the record, I did google it and I think it is an orange tree.)
In Matthew 12:33, Jesus confronts the Pharisees by using trees as a metaphor for their speech and hearts. He says “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.” He’s calling them out because they were attempting to “speak good” things while their hearts were “evil”. Woah. Now, Jesus was speaking to this group of people, however, I think we can take something away from his instruction.
The Bible talks A LOT about our tongue (the words we say), and our actions. In fact, our reading in Psalms today mentions this as well! Verses 3-4 talks about those who boast with their tongue. In Ephesians 2, we see that God’s grace is what saves us so that we cannot boast about our own abilities and actions. (Kinda like the Pharisees were trying to do in Matthew 12). It is by His mercy that we can have a relationship with Him. Because of this, our “tree” can be rooted in Him – the ultimate source of life. He is the reason that we must not be conformed to the world but instead, be transformed by the renewal of our minds (Romans 12). THIS is where the good fruit comes from!
Jesus says in Matthew 12:34 that out of the abundance of our hearts, the mouth speaks. Our words are the outward reflection of our hearts. Proverbs 18:21 says that death and life are in the power of the tongue. What we say has an influence on people. I’m sure all of us can attest to this in our personal lives.
I want to encourage and prompt you with this: we are called to be the salt and light of the world. How do we do those things? By our words and our actions. God has given us a calling to bring His light, love, and goodness to those around us. I pray that our hearts and minds may continually be transformed to be more and more like Jesus. Because of this, we will bear good fruit so that others can see God’s goodness and love.
-Katelyn Salyers
Reflection Questions
How is your fruit looking and tasting? What do others see coming from your life? What does Jesus see?
What fruit have you produced that you want to create more of? What fruit from your life would you call bad fruit? How can you alter production to produce more of the good fruit and less of the bad fruit?
Jesus goes on to say, “For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:37) Do we often forget the power and consequences of our words? Will your words spoken last week acquit or condemn you? How can you better control the words you say?
Have you ever been outside somewhere and simply sat in silence for a while? Maybe it was in your backyard, a forest, or a beach. Often, if we quickly look at a landscape we only notice the “big picture” things – the mountain in the background, the fact that there are trees in certain places, maybe we notice a path up ahead. But if we take a couple of minutes and just observe the area around us, we begin to realize that there is a lot more happening than we first thought. You might notice how the leaves move in the wind, or see bugs crawling over the dirt, or maybe you can spot where the birdsong is coming from in the canopy above.
It takes intentionality to notice the small details around us.
Matthew 10:29-31 has always been one of my favorite portions of scripture. Sparrows are small, ordinary, brown birds that are very unimpressive in the world of birds. You probably won’t brag to your friends about the sparrows you saw on your bird-watching trip. However, the Bible mentions these little guys multiple times!
Luke 12 gives us a little more insight into just how insignificant these birds were. You could buy 5 sparrows for two Roman coins that were each worth less than an hour’s wage. They were cheaper when you bought more. These birds were pretty much worthless in Jesus’ day.
Look at what Jesus says! He says that the Father sees every single one.
We might pass by a tree, completely unaware that a little bird is perched in the branches. But the creator of the universe knows exactly where it sits.
Let that sink in for a moment.
Jesus then makes a comment about the hairs on your head. Now I don’t know if you’ve ever tried to count each of your hairs…but I did when I was a kid. I remember hearing this verse and being the determined child that I was, I sat down to try. I didn’t get very far. I don’t think I even got past one teeny little section of hair! God can count ‘em! How crazy is that??
We then read in verse 31, “Fear not”. Why is Jesus telling them not to be afraid? If we look at the previous portion of Matthew 10 we see Jesus calling his disciples. This calling is pretty intense, right? He tells them that they will be doing all of these amazing things but they will ALSO be persecuted, hated, brought to trial, and sent as sheep in the midst of wolves. That sounds pretty terrifying if you ask me!
That is when Jesus speaks these incredible words – that even one of the insignificant and seemingly worthless little birds (that we might totally pass by, unaware) is not forgotten by the Father. You are of more value than many sparrows, and our God sees you. And He knows you. And even then, He still loves you.
I want to make a note. Some of us have read this passage countless times. We may even have it memorized. I really want to encourage you (myself included) to let these verses sink deeply into our hearts. Take a moment to meditate on what it truly means to be seen and known by God. How will knowing this impact your life? How will you live your everyday life, with the understanding that even in all the chaos of life and in the grand scheme of the world, the Almighty God cares for you? I hope you find immense comfort and joy in that beautiful truth.
-Katelyn Salyers
Reflection & Application
It is a little too cold in some parts of the world today to ask you to go outside and sit for awhile, so if you have to do your sitting inside, that works, too. But, as Katelyn suggests, take some time and consider what this passage means to you. What thoughts and feelings do you have when you hear each of these statements: God sees you, God knows you, God values you, God loves you. Pray to Him about it.
What COULD you be afraid of right now? How does knowing and believing Matthew 10 help combat fear?
Psalm 9 is packed with so many insights into God’s character! Take a moment and read this Psalm if you haven’t yet. Keep an eye out for where David talks about God and His character.
In this Psalm, David is comparing those who know God and those who are wicked. He mentions God’s holiness, justness, and provision – contrasting God’s response to both groups of people. David also mentions multiple times that he will “tell of your deeds” as he reminisces on the wonders that God has done in his life. David has confidence and faith in God because he knows that the LORD is faithful.
Ok just a second though… in David’s time, Jesus hadn’t died and risen yet, let alone even been born. But look at how firm David is in his praise! He knows that God has done wonders and will do even more. He knows that God cares about His people.
How much more thankful can we be because we know of Jesus? We can have a beautiful perspective when we read the Old Testament because we know what happens in the New. The hope of God’s throne, of His provision, and judgment have an exponentially greater meaning to us with the hope of the Kingdom.
Like David in verse 11, we can tell those around us the wonderful things God has done (and will do). We can even see this topic in the New Testament. If we flip to the other side of our Bibles, we see in Hebrews 10:23-25 that we have a steadfast hope because of the faithfulness of God through the sacrifice of Jesus. With this foundation, we can encourage each other as brothers and sisters. This encouragement will lead to love and good deeds – loving God and loving others!
Let’s take some time today to praise God for His faithfulness. That He has done wonderful deeds (Psalm 9:1), that He is a stronghold in times of trouble (9:9), that He hears the cry of the afflicted (9:12), and that He does not forget the needy (9:18). I find it so amazing that Matthew 9 reveals the heart of God even more. Jesus’ mission was to do his Father’s will, which means that we can see God’s character through the actions of Jesus.
In Matthew 9:12-13, Jesus says that he isn’t calling the righteous, but the sinners – the ones who are sick and need healing. WOW! Friends, that’s all of us. Even those of us who have been believers for a while. We must remember that we too were and are sinners and have been saved! Thank you God for seeing the needy, the poor, the hurt, and the sinners. Now THAT is something to praise God with our WHOLE HEART (Psalm 9:1) for. Let us be glad in that.
Today, I want to encourage you to think about the wonderful deeds that God has done in your life. See if you could ask that same question to another believer in your life. Sharing God’s faithfulness encourages and edifies both ourselves and those around us.
-Katelyn Salyers
Reflection Questions
What wonderful deeds has God done in your life?
Today who will you ask to tell you what wonderful deeds God has done in their life?
Why is it important to tell yourself and others what God has done? What happens when we forget?
There has been a lot of talk and anticipation over widespread storms this week. Much of the United States has been impacted in one way or another and depending on where you live that could mean changing travel plans or school closings due to snow, ice, wind, limited visibility, heavy rains, and flooding or even tornadoes. And sometimes, like today in parts of lower Michigan, just the threat of poor conditions which could produce dangerous situations is enough to alter course for many.
Jesus too, warns of storms with such driving rains and rising waters which have the power to totally destroy and wipe out homes if we don’t take the proper actions beforehand. Storms are coming – and in some cases they have already begun. Jesus tells us, some houses will stand, some will not. It depends on their foundation. Is the house built on rock - or on sand – which is determined by how wise – or how foolish – the builder is. Both builders listen to the words of Jesus – good first step. The wise builder proceeds to “put it into practice” – and his house endures the storm. The foolish builder with his house built on sand has heard the words of Jesus but does not put them into practice. And when the storm comes, his house is destroyed.
Hear the words of Jesus. And then, put it into practice. It is not enough to sit at his feet listening every week or even every morning – if you don’t then spend your days DOING what he says. We have just spent the last seven days reading and looking at Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Now, what will we do with oit? What will it look like to put it into practice today and tomorrow and every day of 2024 and the rest of our lives – however long or short that may be?Both houses will experience the winds and the rain. Will your house stand?
-Marcia Railton
Reflection Questions
What shape is the foundation of your life/house in right now? Have you built on rock or on sand? Are there some cracks to be filled in before the storms start or worsen or are you in need of a totally new foundation re-do?
What are some reasons people who have heard what Jesus said then don’t put it into practice? Which of these have been the biggest issues in your own life?
Look back over the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). How can you put these words of Jesus into practice? What would he like to see you do today? What steps will you do to put it into action?
Many surprises are really good surprises: birthday parties, just because flowers or gifts, snow days, finding bacon in the fridge (said my husband), a check in the mail, your daughter coming home from college 4 days early. But, the surprise in our short New Testament passage today would have to be one of, if not the total WORST surprise ever. But, that’s no place to start a good devotion – let’s save that surprise for the (fitting) end and start with the two gates.
I am a visual learner (though not too artistic) so I made a simple little chart in my journal of the two gates in Matthew 7:13 & 14- two simple little verses with a very big lesson.
It brings to mind the repeated refrain of the desperate teenager arguing with his or her parents to be allowed to ___ (fill-in-the-blank with whatever popular but not always wise pursuit kids are into at the time), “But, everyone else is doing it!” Unfortunately, even as adults we too often strive to fit in with what everyone else is doing, saying, watching, thinking, and even being. When will we learn that “what everyone else is doing” is not a good argument for joining in but actually should raise giant red flags and make one consider reversing course immediately. MANY are on the road leading to destruction. It is popular, easy, fun, attractive, politically correct and what everyone else is doing. It is where your friends and neighbors and co-workers are and likely some family and church members, too. It is where the majority live and work and play, where entertainment and media, social and otherwise, hang out, and where influencers thrive. Why wouldn’t anyone want to join in? Just one reason. It. Leads. To.
Destruction.
Not just a bad day, not just a mistake, not just a lesson learned, but destruction, final and ultimate and forever destruction. Many are headed there now. Many are on that road. And you know them. You might be them. This popular road is also the road with the teenager (and now even younger) tragically contemplating and committing suicide. This is the road with the pregnant hopeless woman planning an abortion. This is the road that is raising way too many of our world’s children and youth. This is the road with ferocious wolves dressed up as harmless sheep. This is the road with hatred and despair and deception grotesquely mixed in amongst the glittery fun popularity. This is the overflowing road that leads to destruction.
Who will find the way out? Just. A. Few. Will I? Will you?
Remember that surprise we were saving for the end? The WORST surprise ever? Jesus said that MANY (where did we see that word recently?) who appear to know Jesus and speak in his name – who even drive out demons and perform miracles in his name – will be told by Jesus, “Away from me, you evildoers!” as he denies them entrance into the kingdom. And if you aren’t going into the kingdom the only other option is that wide slippery slope of a road that drops you straight into destruction.
This is one of those many times in the Scriptures where I want more information to answer all my burning questions starting with, who are these (many) people? Yeah, I want names, Jesus, but if you can’t give me that, at least some more details… What denomination(s) are they? What hidden sins? Who do they believe Jesus is? Are they wrong? Is that why they are denied? What role does pride play? Are these different from the wolves in sheep clothing? They kind of seem to be “better” good and effective “Christians”- are they? Do they think they are? It seems they look really good on the outside, could something be wrong on the inside? Have they fooled even themselves?
But the most important question is: How can I make sure I, and the ones I love and care for, are not in this group? And Jesus does give us that answer. Do the will of His Father in heaven. ONLY the people who DO the WILL of GOD will be allowed into eternal life anew in the Kingdom of God. Just wearing the Christian name is not the ticket. Merely calling Jesus Lord is not enough. Even driving out demons and performing miracles – which do appear to be convincing signs of doing the will of God – is not enough to prove one is actually doing God’s will. GOD always knows who is and who isn’t doing His Will. And Jesus isn’t fooled either. It is indeed much harder for us to see and always know who Is and who Isn’t doing the will and work of God. We are told that false Christs and false prophets and even a powerful beast of the earth will come with great signs and wonders in order to deceive. (Matthew 24 and Revelation 14).
Don’t be deceived. Don’t deceive yourself. Don’t set yourself up to receive the worst surprise in the world. Don’t join them on that wide road. Don’t let your last words be, “But everyone else was doing it.” Don’t be tricked into believing you have to stay on that wide road if that is where you are now. Get off. Change your course. Change your destiny. Fight against that loud crowd and find your way to the unpopular narrow road. Do His Will. And in order to DO that – you need to study to know Who God is and what His Will actually is so you won’t be tricked into thinking you are good and safe and got your ticket in. Be one of the few heading toward the narrow gate doing God’s will. It is the only way to life.
-Marcia Railton
Reflection Questions
What do you think makes the wide road so popular?
Do you find the narrow road appealing? Why or why not?
Which road do you think you are on now? What evidence do you have? Is this where you want to stay? Why or why not?
With the information you have right now, what do you think doing God’s will would look like for you today? Are you doing it? How can you learn more about what God’s will is for you? What’s the danger in not learning more about God’s will?
If Sarai of Genesis 16 was my neighbor or Bible study partner or worse, my daughter-in-law, I’m not sure I would like her much. There is the big problem of Sarai sending her maidservant Hagar to sleep with her husband Abram. Perhaps, with a bit of study I could accept this as a cultural Canaanite tradition which was indeed an effective way of fulfilling God’s first command to Adam and Eve: Be fruitful and increase in number (Genesis 1:27). It gets trickier to do this God’s way when there are more than two people on earth, but still no law. In fairness to Sarai, she did not have the benefit of God’s law yet as she was born hundreds of years before Moses. But, even if I were to give her grace and excuse her from that act, there is the whole problem with her attitude and overall mean spirit. Even when her plan works out as she had orchestrated, she quickly casts blame on her husband and mistreats/abuses Hagar. Not a pretty picture, Sarai.
I am glad I am so much better. I would never impatiently try to help God give me blessings in my own way not His. You would never find me blaming my husband. And I have certainly never ever mistreated – anyone. Well, probably not enough to make them run away into the desert.
Maybe, I am exactly what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 7 when he begins, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (vs 1-2). Unfortunately, the world has heard just the first three words, “Do Not Judge” and has twisted Jesus’ words into permission to sin and accept sin. But that is not the case! Jesus tells us over and over again (and even multiple times in this same chapter) to look carefully and judge whether people and actions and ideas are good or bad, righteous or wicked, wise or foolish, innocent or dangerous, taking us closer to God or further from Him. He warns you and I about the wolf in sheep’s clothing who wants to deceive you and figurative dogs and pigs that will tear you to pieces. And if you have already decided that it is not your place to judge if they are good or evil or to discern if they want what is good and godly for you or what will destroy you, then I fear you are already sitting in a very dangerous spot.
So, what did Jesus mean when he started out with the words, “Do not Judge…or you too will be judged” and then gave the excellent illustration of the speck and the plank? Make sure you read it for yourself from Matthew 7. I think he was saying judge yourself first in order to be helpful in then spotting sin in others. Specks are hard to see clearly when we have a plank lodged in our eye socket. And our restored sight is crucial in then being able to delicately help our neighbor remove the irritating speck in their eye. When we judge rightly we can start out by putting every single one of us in the sorry sinking boat of sinners in need of a Savior – and make sure you jump into that boat first. Stop bad talking and blaming the neighbors and church members and see yourself for what you are and what you do. Don’t sugar-coat the truth trying to make yourself look better than the rest.
I am no better than Sarai. I have been quick to blame my husband and my kids and my friends, when the fault was more with me. I have mistreated people, sometimes to their face, sometimes behind their back. And I have tried to ‘fix’ things my way rather than patiently trusting God for what He said He would do in His time. I can be very selfish and prideful and rude. And the list goes on. And if I don’t accept and work to correct these problems and sins in myself FIRST then I will be hypocritical and ineffective when I, with that plank still stuck in my eye, turn to help my neighbor who has a speck in her eye.
Jesus was not saying specks and planks are okay and we should leave them be. Sin is not okay. He was telling us the order in which to judge and correct – self first SO THAT you can actually be useful in helping others recognize and remove the sins that are affecting their sight and health and well-being. Sin surgery for yourself first. Recognize it for what it is and get it out! Then look with compassion not contempt on the Sarais and Hagars and neighbors of the world, some of whom do not even know God’s law and have no idea they are stuck in evil because they only heard “Do Not Judge” and never heard the rest.
-Marcia Railton
Reflection Questions
When you honestly look at yourself what sins do you find? How can you work at removing them? What roles do Jesus and God’s word play in surgery to remove sin?
When you encounter sinful stories how can you respond less like a hypocrite and more like “The God who sees me” that Hagar experienced in the desert in Genesis 16?
What is the problem with not judging what you see around you?
How does Matthew 7:12 relate to the “Do not Judge” part of Matthew 7? In what other situations is it wise to live by Matthew 7:12?
Treasures and worry – those two things go hand and hand so often. No matter how much treasure or money one has or doesn’t have it is common to grow anxious about getting more or protecting or hoarding what one already has. And I am guessing it isn’t just a modern problem, as Jesus so wisely blends his teaching on these two topics in the second half of Matthew 6.
Today’s passage has so much wisdom! Make sure you read it for yourself – even multiple times – it is short. Jesus begins this section (Matthew 6:19-34) by warning about storing up wealth here on earth where all sorts of uncertainty can steal it away in a jiffy (and that was even before the stock market). He asks us to examine what we hold dear, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (6:21). And your heart can’t love and treasure both God and money. You have to choose which you will serve. Which will you go after? Which will you give your life to?
It is recorded that immediately after saying, “You cannot serve both God and money.” Jesus said, “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life…” Do you notice the correlation? If you choose to serve money – be prepared for the worry that goes along with that – do you have enough, will it buy what you want, will you look good enough, will it run out, what will you do if or when it does? But, if you choose to be wholeheartedly devoted to serving a great big God and keeping His first things first in your life, the rest of the worries of life practically dissolve as you put your trust in the One who cares for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field and loves you so much more. What comfort and peace comes to replace the worry and striving when we know that God knows what we need and He is the best at providing that and more when we seek Him first.
Right now, we are half way into an anti-worry/money experiment at our house. About a year and a half ago my husband decided it was a good time to start looking for a new job. I was working hard at giving him my full support. And yet…there was a little cloud of uncertainty as to if this was the right timing – because anyone serving money would be quick to say it didn’t make any sense to change jobs then. At the time his current employer was an educational institution which generously paid out very healthy tuition benefits to the school of choice for our college age kids. It was a pretty good deal we had already benefitted from for several semesters and many college bills. But, we still had two in college and weren’t sure how in the world we would make up all the thousands and thousands of dollars we would not receive for their college bills for the next three years, while also not wanting them to graduate deep in debt.
The unknown can be hard! Of course we want to provide for our kids and be wise with our finances and sometimes it’s hard to know what that should look like. But while wrestling with this decision: pursue a new job now or wait – a light-bulb moment gave me peace. My light-bulb said, “Marcia, you have been trusting (insert name of husband’s employer) to pay those college bills, but don’t you know that God can be trusted much much more?” And with that came peace, not all the answers of where the money was going to come from – but peace that my God was indeed much bigger than anything or anyone else I could put my trust in – and He knows what I need and He can provide it in ways I never would have thought of.
So, we are half-way in. We had three years of college bills left and now we have just 1 ½ years. My husband DID start a new job and it has been a great change for us all! He likes his new employer and responsibilities a lot. And, he is able to work from home and my daycare kids and I love that! I have found I also enjoy tutoring and teaching sewing lessons and the people that has brought into my life, which I probably never would have thought to try if I hadn’t been searching for ideas to contribute a little bit more. And those college bills, they are getting paid. We aren’t even always sure how, but the money is there over and over again. Ask me again in 1 ½ years and I am sure I will have even more examples of God’s overwhelming faithfulness.
Our Father loves to prove Himself true and reliable, but we will never know it and see it and experience it for ourselves if we keep serving and trusting in our man-made treasures and pleasures.
Keep Him first! He is big enough to provide what you need and more and He also knows what you don’t need. Keep your eyes on Him, His righteousness and His Kingdom. You don’t need a fast buck or a larger bank account. You need eternal life and your treasures on earth can’t buy that. Release your worry and grow in your trust in the God who creates, sustains, and makes all things new.
-Marcia Railton
Reflection Questions
Every life serves something or someone, sometimes self. Who or what are you trying to serve? Are there any instances where you are missing the mark or competing with mixed loyalties or masters? What corrections can you make? Will you? Why or why not?
How has God shown Himself faithful in providing?
How can you focus on God, His Kingdom and His righteousness? If you do that well, will this help you worry less?
Looking for some more help on overcoming worry (especially over money)? I found very helpful a UPS driver illustration Rick McClain shared in a SeekGrowLove devotion in 2021 and have brought it to mind many times since. You can read it here.
Remember how we recently read in Matthew 5 to SHINE – “before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:16). And, then we get to Matthew 6 which begins, “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” (Matt 6:1). One says do your good deeds before men while the other specifically says don’t do your acts of righteousness before men. Is there a contradiction there? I want to follow Jesus, I do – but sometimes…I am not exactly sure what it should look like. But, over and over again I find I am the one that needs to grow in my understanding and action. So, let’s dig a little deeper and see what we’ve got here.
In our SeekGrowLove Bible reading plan last year we focused on looking at what we can learn about God or what He reveals about Himself every time we read His words. I learned a lot. I had a great year journaling and marking in my Bible margin little asterisks when I read descriptions of God, what He’s like and what He likes, what He is doing and will do. In the gospels it is extra fun to find all the descriptions of God given to us by one who knows Him so well – His Son Jesus. I have found it can be very valuable to read God’s word not as a checklist of do’s and don’ts but as a search for more and more about our Heavenly Father.
These first 18 verses in Matthew 6 on giving, praying and fasting seems at first to be primarily a lot of direction on what we should be doing – and sometimes what we should not be doing. But, upon looking closer – there are quite a few asterisks in my margins. God, specifically called ‘Your Father’, shows up, again and again. Twice He is referred to as unseen – perhaps in contrast to the Pharisees and religious leaders who enjoyed making themselves very well seen, and perhaps just as a reminder we all need – God is here – don’t be fooled at just concerning yourself with what you can see with your eyes. He is unseen and very real.
In each of the three sections on giving, prayer and fasting Jesus states, “your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” So, even though He is unseen, He sees. There are no secrets we can keep from God. He sees it all. And when He sees what He likes – giving in secret to the needy, one-on-one prayer with Him, and fasting in secret – he will reward us. He is real, He sees and He rewards, when we do it right.
So, what is the wrong way to give, pray and fast? They all seem like good deeds to do – should we shine while doing them? Jesus answers that question – give, pray and fast, but don’t do them, “before men to be seen by them.” When we are putting on a holy show to let others know how good we are – that is when God says, “I got nothing for you – you already received your praise from men. You weren’t really looking for My praise anyways. You wanted to look better than the rest. Your pride was lifting yourself up. You weren’t pointing people to a Me. You were just plain showing off and trying to create a name for yourself.” (This was also what the Tower of Babel folks got in trouble for in our Old Testament reading of Genesis 11 today – trying to make a name for themselves).
So, it becomes another heart issue where motive and manner is extremely important. What is your motivation to give, pray or fast? Do you have selfish reasons and are motivated by looking good? Do you do it in a manner to get the most attention and eyes on you? Just remember, God sees, too, and He ain’t happy. Those acts of righteousness were supposed to come from a pure and sincere heart seeking ways to thank, honor and draw closer to your Father in heaven. But you took that sacred interchange between yourself and Him and cheapened it by broadcasting it before men.
But what about those good deeds that we ARE supposed to do before men SO THAT God is praised? It seems the “good deeds” category is different and perhaps broader than the “acts of righteousness” we just discussed. While the acts of righteousness were things we do for and with God (and most appropriately in secret), the good deeds are what we can do for and with others. Motive is still really important. No one (least of all, your Father) wants to see your good deeds that are only done to bring praise to yourself. How do we do good deeds that others will see, and when they do see, they will praise our Father in heaven? Perhaps (like always) the best answer and example is seen in Jesus. As we read through the rest of Matthew let’s look for what he does in secret with and for His Father and what he does before men to bring praise to His Father. What are his acts of righteousness and what are his good deeds? Can we tell what his audience and motives are in each?
-Marcia Railton
Reflection Questions
How are you doing with your acts of righteousness? Do you think God sees and is pleased? What motivates your acts of righteousness – where is your heart? What would you like to do better – for Him?
In Matthew 6:8 what do we learn about your Father? How is this reassuring to you? How can knowing this affect your prayers? What do you learn from Jesus’ model prayer in verses 9-13?
In Matthew 6:14 & 15 what do we learn about your Father and forgiveness? Why is this so important? Is there someone you need to forgive today?
Would you rather have been born in the Old Testament era when following the law was the measure of one’s righteousness, or born after Jesus came and shook things up a bit? Keep in mind that the Old Testament law as delivered through Moses was not just the good old Ten Commandments (which we sometimes have a hard time remembering and living by) – but roughly 603 additional laws throughout the first 5 books of the Bible. God’s people were expected to know them and live by them, a long list of what to do and what not to do. And there was punishment and judgment when the people didn’t do what they were supposed to do and did what they weren’t supposed to do.
Then comes Jesus. He is probably best known for his love. We love to remember how he answered the burning question: What is the greatest commandment? The Jews had tried for over 1,000 years to keep all these commandments. Some of the religious leaders (the Pharisees) prided themselves on how well they did it. And they had even added to the number to create more laws to try to keep the people further from breaking one of God’s important laws. And Jesus took all those 613 plus laws and said the most important was “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…and the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40). Well, that simplifies matters. Love God. Love people. Sounds simpler. Sounds almost easy.
But, wait there is more.
Back in Matthew 5 Jesus introduces this new “law”, this new way of life and new way of measuring righteousness. He started his Sermon on the Mount not with a list of laws to keep with punishments if you don’t – but with a beautiful list of attitudes to keep and the rewards for those who do. Next he gives us jobs to do – be salt and light – all the time – shine – be different – do good – not to look good yourself, but to bring glory to your Father in heaven.
Jesus realizes this is different. This doesn’t sound like Leviticus any more. He knew people would accuse him of completely overturning and throwing out the Old Testament law. He clarifies, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matt 5:17). Something is up but we aren’t exactly sure what yet. But, it’s not throwing out the Old. It’s like there is a new measuring stick in town. He even goes so far as to say that NOW we need to be MORE righteous than the Pharisees and teachers of the law if we want to enter the Kingdom. (I am sure they loved hearing that.) And then he proceeds to give several examples of Old Testament law, with his new Jesus spin added.
The next six sections in Matthew 5 all begin with some variations of, “You have heard that it was said long ago…but I tell you…”. And Jesus takes the Old Testament laws regarding murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, eye for an eye and loving your neighbor and ramps them up. No longer are you called good if you can merely check the box for not murdering or committing adultery. Now, you have the larger job of also controlling your anger and your lust – the heart issues that originally led to the breaking of the Old Testament law.
God gave the law and it is good. But, His desire was never to create legalistic robots without a heart. His desire was not to create a people that praises themselves for keeping a long checklist of do’s and don’ts, but misses seeing the needs of their neighbor. His desire was not to create a people that only loved those who love them.
So, it was time to add more. Time to add His Son who would teach us and show us how to love.
God gave us His Son and he is very good (though the Son would tell us that only His Father is good because he was always drawing distinctions between himself and His Father and giving praise to his God and his Father not himself). We have so much to still learn from Jesus about this new, life-giving, from the heart way of life. Jesus wants to teach us what God is looking for. And in Matthew 5 we see God is looking for heart, love, devotion, reconciliation, self-control, commitment, purity, truth, generosity, prayer, compassion, gentleness. And perfection. That’s all.
The new is better. But not because it is easier. Where would you rather be?
-Marcia Railton
Questions for Reflection
It is time for a heart check. Are you more righteous than those who worked so hard to keep the Old Testament? Do you pride yourself on being better than others? What heart issues have led you to breaking the law in the past?
How can you work towards godly perfection today? Maybe try re-reading Matthew 5 looking for what heart changes God would like to see in you.
What do you learn about Jesus from Matthew 5? How does he fulfill the law and not abolish it?
Seek Grow Love 