Matthew 13:44-52  Jesus gives three more parables to show us truths about the Kingdom of heaven..

"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field... " v44

"The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls.. " v45

Both of these parables teach us the great value of the Kingdom.  A treasure worth everything!  ".. One pearl of great value.. "  Greater than any other possession.   The Kingdom of heaven has great worth.. and it is very costly..  Jesus taught that nothing is of more value than this.. to enter God's Kingdom.  It is the only thing that is eternal.. that will never rust.. never be destroyed.. and never stolen. 

Once again, Jesus gives a warning in this final parable - "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea... and when it was filled they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down, and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away."  There is an "end of the age" coming.  We do not know when.. but we know what will happen.. "The angels shall come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, and will cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth..." 

We need to understand these truths.  We need to act accordingly.  We need to seek His Kingdom like a precious treasure. We need to give up everything else in order to have this Kingdom forever.  We need to have the Kingdom  IN us.. for only then will be counted "good" and kept from destruction.  

Jesus makes one final statement.. "Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of household who brings forth out of his treasure things new and old."  The old and the new.. both treasures that have value.  A scribe is one who knows the Word of God. As a disciple of the kingdom, the scribe would be able to see how the Words of Christ fulfilled and completed the words of the prophets and the Law.  He would be able to provide the needed understanding for those who have ears to hear.   Truth is a treasure that we need to share!

Father, thank You for the Words of Jesus, who teaches us things new and reminds us as often as necessary of the "old".. those truths that we so easily forget sometimes.. like the great value of the Kingdom, worth more than everything else in this world.. and like the fact that there is a day coming when this age will be over and a final judgement will be made.  Lord, we pray for those who are unbelievers.. that You would send a fresh revival to our land.. and that many more would enter Your Kingdom before it is too late.  Let Your Light shine brightly through Your people, the Church.. that Christ Jesus would be glorified and that He would draw men and women and children to Himself.  May Your Name be hallowed once again in our nation.  May Your kingdom come  and Your will be done.. we pray.. in Jesus' holy Name. Amen . 

 Matthew 13:31-43  Jesus gives two more brief pictures of the Kingdom and then goes back to explain the wheat and tares.  

"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed... smaller than all other seeds; but when full grown, it is larger than the garden plants, and becomes a tree... "  According to the Bible Knowledge commentary a mustard plant can grow to be 12-15 feet tall in one growing season..allowing it to be a place that birds can nest. It starts small, grows quickly, and provides well. 

"The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three pecks of meal, until it was all leavened."  In this case, the focus is on the way that leaven.. or yeast.. permeates thoroughly and changes the substance it is worked into.  There is growth that cannot be stopped once it is started. 

Both of these examples reveal truth about God's Kingdom. The Kingdom comes subtly and steadily. It grows according to God's will.   We receive the "seed".. the Word.. and once it is planted in us.. it will grow.  The Kingdom permeates our lives and it permeates the world around us through our lives lived out for our King.   

As the "good seed", planted by our Savior, we have a future and a purpose.  Ultimately, that purpose will be to "Shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of [our] Father." 

But.. the "stumbling blocks and those who commit lawlessness.."  the "tares" who are "sons of the evil one".. these will be "cast. .into the furnace of fire; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."  I find that these are the most heart-breaking words when I think of those who are lost.. loved ones, neighbors.. and even those who are spouting out their foolish ideas and beliefs around our country these days... O God, have mercy!

The period of time between the first advent of Christ and the second, which is to come.. is the age of decision for all of mankind.  We need  ears to hear the Word of Christ... to receive the invitation to come into His realm.. to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness.   Jesus spoke parables to "utter things hidden since the foundation of the world." (v35)  These truths are what our world desperately need!

Father in heaven,  help us to speak up.. to proclaim the Good News of Your Kingdom.. to plant seeds of Truth into the hearts of those we come across every day. Send forth workers into Your harvest field.. to bring the lost ones into Your Kingdom.  Father, I pray for the rebellious and lost.. and hard-hearted ones in my own family. Please bring them to know Jesus Christ!  Open their ears to hear and their hearts to receive the Truth.  I plead with You for their salvation, in the Name of Jesus, my Lord and King. Amen. 

 Matthew 13:24-30  Matthew records 6 parables that  Jesus presented about the Kingdom of heaven. The first of these is the parable of the tares and the wheat. "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field."  The enemy snuck in and sowed the tares.. the weed that resembles wheat at first.. and as it began to grow, "the tares became evident".  The slaves of the landowner  informed their master and asked whether they should pull the tares out, but the master knew better.. for this would destroy the wheat's roots.  So, both plants were allowed to grow until the harvest. The tares would then be destroyed and the wheat gathered into the barn. 

We get this.. the good- those who are true children of God-will be saved. The evil - those who are false, who are rebels against God - will be judged and will never enter God's kingdom.  We can also draw some other conclusions from the parable:  

The sower represents God - Who made all things "good" at the creation. 

The enemy represents satan - who deceived Eve.. and sin entered mankind.. tares were sown. 

The evidence of the presence of "tares" are obvious..  As Paul wrote - "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, ending, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these.. " ( Gal. 5:19-21)

We see this also in the I John 3:4-10 passage that talks about those who "practice sinning" as opposed to those who "practice righteousness"..  The difference should be obvious.. and it is usually.. but remember the tares are sneaky sometimes.. they blend in for a while.. It is only made clear when the fruit starts being produced..   As Jesus taught - the good tree will produce good fruit.. the good heart will produce good words;  but the evil tree produces bad fruit and the evil heart produces evil words.. 

So what does this have to do with the Kingdom of heaven?  Only the true "seed" will enter God's kingdom... those born of God.. " No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." ( I John 3:9)  and ".. for you have been born again, not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, this is, through the living and abiding word of God. " (I Peter 1:23)

Father, we are Your children, born of Your Spirit through Your Word.. purchased by the shed blood of our crucified Lord Jesus.  We desire to walk according to Your Spirit.. that we might receive the imperishable inheritance of Your Kingdom.  Let our lives produce the abiding fruit of "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.. ." as we abide in Christ, the True Vine. Grant us ears to hear and hearts to receive Your Word.. plant it deep in our souls.. We ask these things according to Your Word and in the Name of our Savior and King, Jesus Christ.   Amen. 

 Matthew 13:1-23  Jesus "spoke many things to them in parables.."  Everything prior to this had been clearly presented.. the Kingdom of God had come to them, because Jesus, the King, was there. He offered deliverance from the evil one, healing from the sickness of sin, and light to overcome the darkness.  He opened the door for all to become His brothers and sisters by revealing the Father's will and showing them what that really looked like.. not outward religious practices.. but truth that changed their hearts by faith. 

These parables are all given to present the truth of the Kingdom for those with "ears to hear".   It is with open eyes and ears that hear that understanding comes to the heart.. so that we can "return" to the Lord and be healed.  Praise the Lord who has granted to us "to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.."

The first parable is the story of the sower and the seed.  We know this parable well and have heard so many explanations... 

"the sower went out to sow" -  The seed is the "word of the kingdom". ( v19) 

Some seed "fell beside the road and the birds came and ate them up." -  Verse 19 tells us that that some people hear the word, don't understand it, and it is "snatched away" by the evil one. 

Some seed "fell upon rocky soil.. sprang up.. and because they had no root, they withered away."  Verse 20 tells us that this represents people who hear the Word, "receive it with joy" but have "no firm root" so they fall away at the first sign of "affliction or persecution." 

Some seed "fell among the thorns".. which eventually "choked them out".  Verse 22 tells us that this represents the "man who hears the word, and the worry of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful." 

Finally, some seeds "fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."  Verse 23 tells us that this represents the "man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit.. " 

The prophecy of Isaiah gives us the basis of this teaching by parables. Verse 15 in particular... "For the heart of the people has become dull, and with their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes."   A choice is made.. a choice to ignore, neglect, or reject the Word of God.  Isaiah received his commission to go preach to Israel.. knowing that they would not hear or receive the Word.  Likewise, the people of Israel would hear, but many would not understand the good news that Jesus preached.  And this is still true.. the Word of God is available to any who want to receive it.. but it takes more than just hearing the Word.. it takes bold faith to open your eyes and to really hear the message of Truth. 

Jesus taught that we must repent of sin.. we must receive the Kingdom by realizing that we are poor in spirit.. beggars without resources of any kind.. that we mourn our sins and find comfort, that we become gentle and humble.. that we hunger and thirst for righteousness.. that we become merciful... pure in heart.. and strive for peace.. All of these things are the blessings.. the mysteries of the kingdom that have been revealed to us. When we open our eyes and ears.. receive the Word.. then we can become fruitful.  Oh how great is the Lord who has granted us such grace.. to give us understanding of these truths!

Father in heaven, may our ears be ears that hear.. and our hearts open to receive Your Word.  May it grow in us and bear the fruit of the Kingdom for Your glory and honor!  Help us to have understanding Holy Spirit! Fill us and teach us and keep us abiding in Your truth! Amen and amen!

 Matthew 12: 46-50   It is at this time that Mary and her sons come to speak to Jesus, standing outside of the crowd.  John tells us that Jesus' brothers didn't believe in Him at that point. ( John7:5) It is in Acts 1:14 that we are told that His brothers had joined their mother in devoting themselves to prayer with the disciples and other believers.  We know that James and Jude wrote New Testament books and that James was a leader in the church in Jerusalem.  The other two, Joseph and Simon, are not mentioned again. 

What is significant in this passage is what Jesus says next.. " Who is My mother and who are My brothers?"  Jesus is introducing a new view of His relationship to others... it is not about a physical likeness or shared DNA that really matters...  ".. whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother."  What really matters is the spiritual likeness.. the spiritual DNA, if you will, that is most important in God's kingdom. 

"Behold,"  Jesus proclaims as He points to His disciples, ".. My mother and My brothers!"   Luke says it this way... "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it."  

What a wonderful proclamation!  We who have chosen to follow Jesus.. who are "for" Him and not "against" Him.. those of us who have not hardened our hearts, but have repented from our sins and found forgiveness in Him.. those who have received His Spirit and are walking in Him.. doing the will of the Father.. we are the brothers and sisters and mother of Jesus! 

Father in heaven, we are Yours.. and You are ours. We seek to have the daily experience of Your Presence, the intimacy of this wonderful relationship made possible by Jesus our Lord.  Fill us Spirit of God, leading us in the Father's will, making us like Jesus our Brother and our King.  It is far beyond my grasp to understand all that this means.. but this is my heart's desire.. to know You more and more.. to press on.. to dive deeper.  Have Your way, Lord! Amen. 

 Matthew 12: 38-45  Jesus had thoroughly rebuked the Pharisees for their blasphemous accusation that the power of satan had healed the blind and dumb man. He openly called them a "brood of vipers" with evil hearts. He warned them that the words they were speaking would be the words that would condemn them. So, they came back with a different attack.. 

"Teacher, we want to see a sign from You."   Now, Jesus had done many miracles that revealed His authority... The scribes and Pharisees rejected and ignored them all.  They seemed to want Jesus to perform for them. But, Jesus refused.  Again He calls them evil.  "An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign shall be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster; so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."  This sign they would see.. and still refuse to believe.

Jesus knew that these evil men would reject Him, condemn Him, and kill Him.  They were condemning themselves by their refusal to follow Jesus. They had chosen to be "against" Him and refused to change their minds.. to repent. 

Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah.  The Queen of the South came "from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon.."  But, Israel, standing in the Presence of the Son of God refused to repent... and for that reason they would be condemned.  Like a man who had been delivered from an evil spirit only to be invaded by seven more.. the generation that condemned Jesus was moving further and further from God... into greater darkness and evil.. Their hearts were so darkened by their sin that they willingly took upon themselves the blood of Jesus.. "His blood be on us and on our children!" (27:25)

Oh, Father in heaven, how sorrowful it is that hearts are still full of evil and darkness, unwilling to believe that Jesus came to save.. to bring the Kingdom of God.. full of goodness and love and light! Every generation.. every person has to make that choice, to be for You or against You.  Let Your Kingdom come, Lord Jesus! Let hearts be yielded and let repentance be granted. Let the power and authority of Your Name be made known to this generation.  May Your people, who are called by Your Name.. rise up and pray as we should.. so that You will hear and heal our land. We ask this in the Name of Jesus. Amen. 

 Matthew 12:30-32  In response to the Pharisees' foolish accusation that Jesus was casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul... Jesus gives 3 specific responses. The first is the logical argument in verses 25-29.  Only One more powerful than the demons could possibly cast them out.  Satan cannot and would not cast himself out..  In these next verses Jesus argues, "He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.." 

In Mark 9:40 and Luke 9:50 Jesus makes this statement, "For he who is not against us is for us." and

 ",.. for he who is not against you is for you." Both of these accounts are in response to the disciples telling Jesus about someone casting out demons in Jesus' name.. someone other than the twelve.  Jesus is telling them.. look at the fruit!

The emphasis here is on being "for" or "against" the Lord.  Jesus goes on to say that "blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven." and "whoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age, or in the age to come." 

There is a decision that must be made... will be "for" or "against" Jesus?  Will we abide with Him or oppose Him?  Jesus was warning the Pharisees of the dangerous path they were walking.. to blaspheme the Holy Spirit of God has eternal consequences.  Giving Satan credit for the work of the Holy Spirit brings condemnation... Words matter!  Something we all need to be more aware of.. Help us Lord!

Which is the next point that Jesus makes.. "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."  The man who was healed "spoke and saw". The result of the miracle is good.. therefore it came from a  Good source.. God!  It is impossible for good to result from an evil source. We must look at the fruit!

The words of the Pharisees were evil.. because their hearts were filled with evil. "And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgement. For by your words you shall be justified and by your words you shall be condemned."  

Do our words show that we are "for" or  "against" Jesus?  Are we abiding in Him or in opposition to Him?  Are we walking in the Spirit's power.. or in the power of satan.. self.. flesh.. worldly power?  Are we filling our hearts with the good treasure of God's Word.. His love.. His Presence?  Or are we choosing to fill our hearts with the things of the world that have no eternal value? What kind of words are coming out of our mouths? What kind of fruit are we producing?

Father in heaven, search our hearts and uncover any opposition, rebellion, or evil in them.  Cleanse us with the blood of Jesus, which alone can make us white as snow.  We want to walk in faith and in holiness.. filled with Your Spirit.. honoring Your Name in all we say and in all we do.  Help us to abide in Jesus.. to be FOR Him always,  we pray. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Matthew 12:22-29  "Then there was brought to Him a demon-possessed man who was blind and dumb and He healed him... " 

This passage has so much more significance to me than I ever realized before.  Up until this point Jesus has been saying, ".. the kingdom is at hand"..  but now He says.. "then the kingdom of God has come upon you."  Everything that Jesus taught and every action that He took prior to this statement has led to this vital truth.  He revealed the true nature of those who would receive the kingdom. He revealed His authority over all things that pertain to the kingdom.  He offered the invitation to those who would come to Him and receive the kingdom.  

Now, He uses this situation and the accusations of the Pharisees to declare that the Kingdom "has come".. Jesus had delivered others from demon possession before, so this is not what sparks this declaration. It is when the Pharisees say "This man casts demons out only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons.. " that Jesus reacts in the way He does. He actually makes three arguments to set them straight. We'll  just look at the first.. 

Verses 25-27 "Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste.. and if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?"   This is a very logical argument.  (Isn't it interesting that the Pharisees were willing to give Satan credit for a miracle, but not Jesus?)  Why would Satan do such a thing?  He wouldn't.. he is evil, he is a liar, and he is an accuser.  There is no indication anywhere that he is a healer. There is no reason for him to help the poor man who was blind and dumb. And the Pharisees had no justification for their accusations. After all, some of their own "sons" cast out demons too. Would they ever consider them as agents of Satan? Of course not! Their statement had no truth in in and they knew it!

The only One who can cast out a demon is One who is greater than him.  "Or how can anyone enter the strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man?"  The greater power is the Spirit of God.  So if the Spirit of God is at work here, Jesus says, "then the kingdom of God has come upon you." 

In the Kingdom.. Satan is vanquished.. darkness is overcome by the Light.. Truth breaks through the lies.. and healing is given.... And we are all invited to  enter into the Presence of the King.  Hallelujah! 

Father in heaven, how we thank and praise You for the gift of Life in Your Kingdom through the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Let Your Name be kept sacred and honored!  Let Your kingdom come in all its fulness.. where all evil is brought to an end and righteousness is established in all the earth!  Let Your will be done in us and in our world as it is in heaven.  Lord, we are see such lostness and hopelessness all around us.  Our world is in great need of the Truth that Jesus saves.. that He has overcome.. and that He alone can deliver men from the evil one.  Lead us in paths of righteousness and fill us with Your love so that we can bring the good news of Jesus Christ to those who are weary and heavy-laden.  We ask this in Jesus' name. amen. 

 Matthew 12:15-21  Jesus left the synagogue, knowing that the Pharisees were even more determined to get rid of Him...  but not changing anything about His mission.  "And many followed Him, and He healed them all. " 

It was still the Sabbath. This was no longer "one sheep" that fell into a pit.. no longer one man with a significant need... "He healed them all."  The compassion that Jesus has for us... has no end.  Matthew shares the words of Isaiah 42.. the prophecy about the "Servant" who would come. Jesus came to do what no one else could.. O how great is our Lord!

"Behold My Servant who I have chosen. My beloved in whom My soul is well- pleased. I will put y Spirit upon Him, and He will proclaim justice to the Gentiles."   Jesus came as the anointed, chosen One, the Beloved Son of God to proclaim "justice".  Justice - judgement, divine law... Truth.  He came without quarreling, the prophet wrote... He came without violence.  He came to bring the Truth so that all the nations could have "hope". 

The Jewish religious leaders had no compassion for anyone.. not the man with the withered hand.. not the many lost sheep without a shepherd.. not the weary and heavy-laden.. and especially not the Gentiles.  Israel failed the mission that God had given them from the beginning when God told Abraham that "all the families of the earth shall be blessed..." through him.. ( Genesis 12:3)   But, God keeps His promises and Jesus came to do what Abraham could not.. what Israel could not.. He came to bless "all the families of the earth."!  Hallelujah!

Father in heaven, we praise Your Name and exalt You above all else. Thank You for sending Jesus to lead us into eternal Truth. Thank You for revealing Yourself, speaking through the Living Word, that we might know that sin kills, that faith matters, that love never fails, and that every promise is Yes and Amen in Jesus Christ, the Beloved Son.  Heal us.. fill us.. lead us.. and give us strength and perseverance to walk always in Your ways and to do the things that You have prepared for us to do in love and gentleness.. with the grace and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ.  In His name we pray. Amen. 

Matthew 12:8-14  "For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."  Jesus wanted to show His people the truth about God's Law regarding the Sabbath.  They had made it all about their traditions.. causing it to be a great burden and difficulty instead of the blessing that God made it to be.  He wanted them to know that the Sabbath was about real "rest".  It was why He had come.. to take the burdens away and give them life through Himself.  

Jesus "went into their synagogue.."  The word "their" sticks out to me.  It was their place.. to do their works.. for their pleasure.  It was also their desire to trap Him with the need of a poor man with a definite problem.  Would Jesus heal him on the Sabbath day?  "Is it lawful..?"  Not, "can you?" or "Will you?"  But, "Is it lawful..?"  Their very question reveals their lack of love and compassion.. 

Jesus always has the perfect answer.. "What man shall there be among you, who shall have one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it, and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! So then it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."

O the great compassion and kindness Jesus shows in this message to those who would listen!  Every man there would definitely rescue a sheep of theirs from a pit.  That was their livelihood... Their bank account.. their retirement fund.. That sheep could make the difference of whether or not they would be able to keep feeding their families or if they could offer a sacrifice to please God.  No doubt Jesus was talking about something that they all could easily relate to..  but to heal a man with a withered hand?  He was without value in their eyes. He was someone to push aside  or ignore, or use.. .. or throw a few pennies to when they wanted recognition for their giving..  

Jesus is the only one who saw the value of this man. 

"Stretch out your hand!"  Jesus said to the man.. "And he stretched it out, and it was restored to normal like the other."  What an amazing miracle! They witnessed it with their own eyes... in their own synagogue... in the middle of their own congregation.  They should have learned something really important here.. "It IS lawful to do good.. "  Always.. even on the sabbath.. especially on the Sabbath!

Yet, "the Pharisees went out, and counseled together against Him, as to how they might destroy Him." 

How terribly sad! They missed it.. they rejected Him.. and His love and compassion.. and His power and grace.. 

Father in heaven, open our eyes.. that we might see Jesus!  To reach out and touch Him.. to know Him more and more... to love Him with all our hearts!   What love and grace You have poured out upon us through the Beloved Son. Thank You. Father, fill our hearts with this kind of love and compassion.. to see the value of every man, woman, and child.  To think more of others than we think of our selves.  To serve You and to serve others with truth and kindness.. and patient love. May we be Your people, transformed into the likeness of our compassionate Lord.   We ask this in the Name of Jesus.. Amen. 

 Matthew 12:1-7  It is at this point in time that Jesus teaches about the Sabbath. His disciples ate some grain as they walked through the field.. and the Pharisees accused them of violating the sabbath.  As non-Jewish believers we don't talk much about the Sabbath.  We know that it is the seventh day and that it is supposed to be a day of rest. We know that God Himself rested on the seventh day after His creation work. But, there are more things that we can learn about it through the teaching of Jesus. 

First of all, we see that Jesus did not condemn the disciples for eating the grain. They were hungry and they ate what was available. Were they really breaking the Law? We need to look back to what the Law actually says.. 

Deuteronomy 5:14 says, "but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter or your male servant or your female servant or your ox or your donkey or any of your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you, so that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you."

Exodus 20:8-11 says "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.... for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea... therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy."  And Exodus 31:13- 18 gives further teaching.. "You shall observe My sabbaths for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you...  So the sons of Israel shall observe the sabbath to celebrate the sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the sons of Israel forever..."

So, from the Law we see that the sabbath was to be observed.. remembered.. and celebrated. It was to be observed for the sake of every person.. slave as well as master.. and every animal as well.  It was to be remembered in the context of God's creation.  It emphasizes the sovereignty and sanctity of the Lord who made a covenant with His chosen people.  According to Mark 2:27 Jesus added these words.. "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." 

But, according to the CJB Study Bible, the Jews had added "thirty-nine works" that were prohibited on the sabbath.  They defined the disciples acts of taking the grain off the plants as reaping and the act of rubbing the heads of the grains together as threshing.  They used their version of the law to lord it over everyone else.  Jesus called them to reconsider... to recognize the true purpose of the sabbath Law.. "But if you had known what this means, 'I desire compassion, and not a sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent." 

David and his companions ate from the consecrated bread.  The priests in the temple continued their daily sacrifices.. even on the sabbath. Any of the men who were condemning the disciples and Jesus.. would have rescued that "one sheep.. if it [fell] into a pit on the Sabbath."  These would not be condemned.  The religious leaders wanted to pick and choose their own interpretation of the Word.. 

Jesus said, "For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."  This echoes his words from chapter 11:27 "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father.."  His authority was greater than the Law and the religious traditions..   Indeed, "something greater than the temple is here.." 

In the Kingdom of God, there is rest.  Rest for all who come to Him.. all the "weary and heavy-laden".. He had the authority, the ability, and the compassion to give true rest.. the true Sabbath is found in Him!

Father in heaven, let Your name be kept holy.  Let Your kingdom come and Your will done.  Let us find the True rest that is Your gift.. Jesus Christ  our King and Lord.  May we never forget the grace that You have shown us.. the life that You have offered.. free from "works" that cannot bring rest.. but filled with the blessings of rest..  peace and joy and love that has no end.  We turn away from the traditions of men and look to the One who has fulfilled all the Law and the Prophets.. the One greater than any other.  Fill us with love and compassion and the holiness of Christ our Lord we pray.  We give You all praise and thanksgiving in His wonderful Name. Amen. 

 Matthew 11:25-30   Jesus told John's disciples to tell John about what they saw.. "the blind receive their sight and the lame walk.. " etc.  He told the people around Him, that John was a great man, but those "in the kingdom of heaven.. " are greater still.  He told them that the cities where miracles had happened would be judged harsher than Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom.. for they refused to repent.. and then He prayed this prayer:

"I praise Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou didst hide these things from the wise and intelligent and didst reveal them to babes. Yes, Father, for thus it was well-pleasing in Thy sight." 

The Good News that Jesus came to earth to announce.. was given to "babes"... to the simple-minded, immature, infantile.. the helpless.. the "poor in spirit".  It pleased the God of heaven and earth to give the Truth of His Kingdom, not to those with the greatest intellect.. or power.. or riches.. but to those who had nothing.. were nothing.. and could doing nothing to save themselves.. O Hallelujah!

The Father "handed over" to Jesus "all things"!  All power, all authority, and all judgement.. are in the Hands of Christ Jesus the Lord.  All things.. we cannot even know the Father.. unless "the Son wills to reveal Him.. "  to us. As Jesus said a the Last Supper..   "Father, the hour has come; glorify Thy Son that the Son may glorify Thee, even as Thou gavest Him authority over all mankind, that to all whom Thou hast given Him, He may give eternal life. And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent." ( John 17:2-3)

There is a oneness in will and purpose that is found in the Father and the Son- it is that we might KNOW them. Our Father wants us to know Him and Jesus came to make that possible.  " God.. in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.. " (Hebrews 1:1-3)

Jesus offers the invitation to "all who are weary and heavy-laden".. "Come to Me"  He says! "And I will give you rest."  Who might that be?  Those who are burdened with sins they can't escape?  Those burdened by rituals that don't bring peace? Those who are trying to be smarter, richer, wiser, or better so that they might make themselves worthy?  Are we laden down with guilt? Miserable in our weaknesses? Overwhelmed with our failures?  Jesus says.. "Come to Me"!

Take His yoke.. learn from Him.. He is "gentle and humble in heart".  His yoke is "easy and [His] load is light."  It is a yoke of love that He offers.  Matthew Henry writes this, "Nor need we fear His yoke. His commandments are holy, just and good. It requires self-denial, and exposes to difficulties, but this is abundantly repaid, even in this world, by inward peace and joy. It is a yoke that is lined with love. So powerful are the assistances He gives us, so suitable the encouragements, and so strong the consolations to be found in the way of duty, that we may truly say, it is a yoke of pleasantness. The way of duty is the way of rest." 

Father in heaven, Lord of heaven and earth.. we praise You.  Thank You for the revelation of Jesus Christ that brings us to know Your will and Your love.. Your salvation of grace through faith in Jesus Christ the "heir of all things".. the One to whom You have handed over all authority.. the One who holds everything together by His Word.  Our wonderful Savior, we thank You and give You glory, honor, and praise. Amen!  How gladly we come to You!  How sorrowful are we for those who won't listen, who cling to their yokes of self, of sin, of independence, as if they can save themselves.  Oh Jesus, we plead for You to reveal the Father to those who are "sheep without a shepherd"... the "distressed and down-trodden".. the "weary and heavy-laden".. so that they can enter Your Kingdom and find true rest and great love. We ask this in Your holy Name. Amen. 

 Matthew 11:20-24  The cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum all experienced first hand the coming of the Kingdom - they saw miracles, they heard truth..  they were in the Presence of the King.  Yet, Jesus condemns them.. "Woe to you.. " They would not repent of their sins. They would not believe His Word.  They would not.. and so they would face the judgement to come.  

The contrast that Jesus uses here is so remarkable.. Tyre and Sidon.. and Sodom!  Tyre and Sidon were at one time bustling sea ports known for their commerce. Sodom.. was known for its sinfulness.  They were gentile cities.  The king of Tyre at one time was the picture of pride.. like that of Satan himself.   The destruction of Sodom is the picture of what judgement from God looks like. 

For Jesus to say that the Jewish cities.. even His own town.. were going to be judged harsher than Sodom.. reveals the depth of their sinfulness.  To reject the Savior.. to refuse the free gift of salvation.. to refuse to give up sin.  To be so full of self.. so full of pride.. These things.. serve as examples of what God wants us to know about Him and His Kingdom... As Paul wrote..  "Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adultery, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God." ( I Corinthians 6:9-10)

But, Paul goes on.. "And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified; but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God." (v11) Oh so thankful..  for Jesus is still calling out to the lost.. "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.. " 

Father in heaven, Thank You for the gracious gift of Your Beloved Son.. who reached out to us in our sin and has brought us to You.. to make us Your children by the sacrifice of His blood on the cross.  How amazing is Your love for us!  Help us to keep our hearts pure and our lives yielded to Your Spirit.. for Your glory.. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Matthew 11:7-19  Jesus had great love and respect for John.  He knew John's heart.. and He knew that John would soon be killed.   He wanted the people to know that John was a prophet.. and "more than a prophet".  He said that John was a messenger.. sent to "prepare [His] way before [Him]".  

But.. it is John's message that they needed to grasp.. not his strange life of wearing a robe of camel's hair, eating locusts and honey, and living in the wild.  Why did they go out to see John? Jesus asks, "To see a prophet?".. or something else?   John was indeed a prophet.. A prophet who preached repentance. A prophet who announced the coming of God's kingdom. A prophet who proclaimed that Jesus is the "Lamb of God". That's what they needed to grasp.. the Truth of the coming Kingdom.

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence... "  The Bible Knowledge Commentary says this, "The religious leaders of Jesus' day (forceful men ) were resisting the movement introduced by John, Jesus, and the apostles... (the verb lay hold of means to grasp in the sense of resisting or laying claim to it as their own). Those leaders wanted a kingdom, but not the kind Jesus was offering." 

"He who has ears to hear, let him hear."  Jesus tells us.  We need to listen carefully and heed the truth. What kind of kingdom is it that we are seeking? Are we going out looking for a new message?  Are we trying to build our own kingdoms? Or are we willing to surrender all of that.. to be "poor in spirit... for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (5:3). 

Jesus said that the generation before Him were like children.. didn't want the flute.. didn't want the dirge: didn't want John because he didn't fit their agenda.. didn't want Jesus, because He didn't fit their expectations. "Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds."  That generation would reject their Messiah and they would miss the truth of John's message. We need to pray for our generation to not miss it or Him... too!

Praise God.. some will  have "ears to hear".. some will find the Truth and will enter the Kingdom of God.. not by forceful wills.. but by humble repentance.. and God-given faith in the One who calls them... calls us.. to "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest." ( v28)

Father in heaven, You have hidden "these things form the wise and intelligent and didst reveal them to babes.."  We cannot do anything on our own.. we need Jesus!  Every day.. constantly abiding in Him. Fill us with Your Spirit.. with Your love for those who need the message of the Kingdom.. who need to know that Jesus still calls for the weary and heavy-laden to come to Him. Search our hearts, Lord God, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.. from all things that keep us from Your Truth.. from seeking any other kingdom except Yours!  We desire Your Presence.. asking that Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth.. in us. as it is in heaven. In the name of Jesus, our King, we pray. Amen. 

 Matthew 11:1-6  John the baptist was in prison because of his stand against Herod.  He sent his disciples to ask Jesus this question, "Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?" 

Why would John have any doubts?  Because he was in prison? Because Jesus wasn't what he expected? He had seen Jesus with his own eyes!  He had baptized him and saw the Holy Spirit come upon him.  Why would he have any question that Jesus was the "Expected One "?   Why do we?  Why does our faith waver when circumstances aren't what we want? Why do we get confused when Jesus doesn't fit our expectations?  We are all in the same boat with John... with a need to persevere in our faith. 

Jesus sent John's followers away with this answer, " Go and report to John what you hear and see; the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them, and blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over Me."  

Jesus was referring to the words of Isaiah 35. The prophecy.. the Word of God... about the Kingdom was being fulfilled right before their eyes.  This is what they should have been expecting all along.. not anything else. 

Don't stumble over the Truth, Jesus tells them... don't stumble over Him..   Don't stumble because your expectations are not what they should be.. We need to know the Word and believe it.. we need to not be conformed to the world's ways of thinking.. but be transformed by the renewing of our minds.. through the Word of God.. by the Spirit of God. 

Father in heaven, let Your kingdom come!  Open our eyes to the truth of Your Word. Grant us persevering faith, to put away any doubts or confusion about the reign of Christ, our King.  When our circumstances are difficult.. may we be steadfast and stand firm in faith.  May we be diligent.. "in [our] faith" supplying "moral excellence.. knowledge.. self-control.. perseverance.. godliness.. kindness.. and love." May the testing of our faith "being more precious than gold.. be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."  Father, "let us know, let us press on to know the Lord."  Let us grow deeper in faith, in love, and in hope.. for we ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and King forever. Amen. 

 Matthew 10:32-42  Jesus prepared the twelve disciple to go to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel".. and not only them.. but every disciple that He sends out to the "distressed and downtrodden".  He has given us a message. "The kingdom of heaven is at hand."  He has given us the resources needed.  He has given us wisdom.. so that we might be as "shrewd as serpents, and as innocent as doves".  He has warned us of the wolves and of the trials ahead.  He has promised His Spirit to give us the words to speak.  And He has given us the courage.. so that we "do not fear"..  for we are in God's hands.. truth will be revealed and we will be with Him forever. 

But, Jesus is not finished with His instructions.. "Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven."   Our confession of Christ is absolutely vital.  It is acknowledging Christ as Lord.. it is professing our allegiance to Him... it is making a covenant promise that has eternal value.  We either confess Christ or we "deny" Him.  ".. whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven."  To "deny" means to disavow, to reject,  to refuse Him.  

There is no middle ground here.. we confess or we deny.  Jesus emphazised this reality with His next words.. "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." The quote in verse 35 is from Micah 7:6. "For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother... and a man's enemies will be there members of his household..."  There is a time and a place where we must choose.. choose to take a stand.. for Christ.  Micah acknowledged the chaos of a sin-filled nation where family relationships were so filled with enmity and hatred that there was no peace at all.  In the midst of that.. he made his confession.. "But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me." ( Micah 7:7) He took a stand.. you could say that he laid down his life, took up his cross, and followed.. 

This is what Jesus reminds His disciples as they go out.. they were choosing Him... over family.. over their own lives.. over their fears.. over the threats of persecution and suffering.  They were choosing to confess Him and not deny Him.. and even though the way would be hard..even though they were taking up their own cross to follow Him.. it was worth it..  for the reward would be great.. 

"He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophets reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you he shall not lose his reward." ( v41-42) 

Father in heaven, we thank You for the truth of Your word and ask that You would open our understanding and give us the power of Christ to do it.. no matter what.  We desire to always confess Jesus.. our Lord, our Savior, our King.. We make this our pledge, our confession, our covenant.  Oh Father, we pray for those who are, even now, denying Jesus. Forgive and restore and reconcile them to Yourself, through Your grace.. which is greater than all sin.  Let the church of Christ arise and preach the kingdom of heaven.. in the Name of Jesus who is the way, the truth and the life. Amen. 

 Matthew 10:24-31  Three times in these 8 verses Jesus says, "...do not fear.."  There is truth here that we need to grasp. 

V26 "Therefore do not fear them... "   What is the "therefore" referring to?  Jesus said, "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become as his teacher..."  Not "above"  but "as"..  Jesus is not asking His disciples to suffer anything that He does not Himself.  He is not asking them to give any more than what He Himself will give.  He was called "Beelzebul".. and they will be called names too.  But, they do not have to be afraid.. for the truth will win in the end! ".. for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed..."  

Jesus will speak to His disciples and His disciples will speak up for Jesus.   We "do not fear"  to proclaim the truth of the gospel, because.. "those who kill the body.. are unable to kill the soul."   Our future is in the hands of God, the One "who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."  Our lives are in His hands!  No  enemy.. not even death can separate us from the Father...  As Paul wrote, ".. I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." ( Romans 8:38-39)

The third reason that we should not fear is because we are " of more value than many sparrows."  The sparrows are worth very little in any economy.. yet Jesus tells us that our Father knows when one "falls to the ground." He knows "the very hairs of your head."   We are valuable to God!  Think about that for a moment.. Let that truth fill your heart and mind and soul.   This is a quote from a book called Soul Care.. 

"Your value is not determined by your performance or whether people love you

or whether you are in control. These are all core lies that can create cracks in the foundation

and damage your soul. You need to replace them with the truth.

Here is the truth that can set you free: The issue of your value is settled at the cross. 

On the cross, the Father said to you and me, 

'You are of infinite worth to me. I declare you worthy of my Son's blood."

"This issue of your value is settled at the cross. 

This is the truth that you must hold on to."

As disciples of Jesus we need to be prepared, as He prepared the 12..  Matthew Henry said it this way.."Christ foretold troubles, not only that troubles might not be a surprise, but that they might confirm their faith... Thus Christ has dealt fairly and faithfully with us, in telling us the worst we can meet with in his service; and he would have us deal so with ourselves, in sitting down and counting the cost." 

We need to be prepared but not afraid. 

No fear.. for the truth will be revealed.

No fear.. for we are in His hands.. both body and soul.

No fear.. for we are of immense value to Him! 

Father in heaven, let Your name be praised and proclaimed in all the earth!  You are a good, good Father. You will never let us go.. thank You.  We desire to walk in Your Truth, without fear, knowing that no matter what.. You have us in Your hands.  You see us.  Your eye is on the sparrow! We know that You are watching over us.  Hallelujah! Thank You.  Remove all fear.. casting it out with Your love. Fill us with this deep love that only You can provide.  Fill us with the perseverance of Christ our Lord. We ask this in His Name. Amen. 

 Matthew 10:16-23  To be a disciple of Jesus will not always be easy. These next verses paint a picture of hardships.. where we will be anxious, fearful, confused, rejected, and even excluded from our own families.  Jesus teaches His disciples these things, so that they will be prepared for what will be their reality one day.. "be shrewd.. and innocent", He says.  Be thoughtful, discreet, and cautious..yet harmless and simple. 

The biggest threat to those who belong to Jesus will be men of power.. government, religious leaders, courts...   Jesus tells us to  "beware".. but not "anxious". 

"But when they deliver you up, do not become anxious about how or what you will speak; for it shall be given you in that hour what you are to speak. For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you."  What wonderful news.. especially for those of us who feel tongue-tied when we face controversy or disagreements... or confrontations.  What assurance Jesus provides... the Spirit will speak the right words for us.  Let us boldly trust Him!

There will also be threats of a more intimate kind.. brothers.. fathers.. children.. "will deliver up" their own kin... even "to death."   It is somewhat unbelievable.. until we consider the reality  of abuse, greed, selfishness, addictions... etc.  those things that cause bitterness and anger and hatred within families.  We know it happens.. way too often.  "And you will be hated by all on account of My name.."  Jesus warns His disciples.. "but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved."  

Here is the Truth that we must never forget.. .death is not the end... Jesus is!  We can endure, because He is coming again! Even if we are persecuted.. even if we have to flee our homes.. even if we are killed.. Jesus will never leave us.. we must "endure"... keep abiding and persevering... trusting Him. 

Father in heaven, You are our Deliverer and Sustainer.  You bring us life through Jesus, Your Beloved Son. We long for Your Kingdom to come and Your will to be done.  Fill us with Your Spirit so that we might live in constant faith and fellowship with You.. ready for whatever lies ahead for us.  May we be mindful, but not anxious.  May we be fully yielded to You no matter what hardships we must face.  May we love as You love us, fill us with Your love..  so that we can love those who persecute, hate, and deliver us up.. even to death.  We need the power of Your divine love in us, Father, so that we might bring You glory and honor through all we do.. even... or especially.. our suffering.  We ask this in the Mighty Name of Jesus, our King forever. Amen. 

 Matthew 10: 9-16     The disciples of Jesus were sent out with the message of the Kingdom.  In Christ's kingdom there is no darkness!  Demons are cast out.. diseases are healed.. truth is given freely.  There is Light and Life.. filled with the love of the Father and of the Son.  Jesus prepared His disciples to go out as "sheep in the midst of wolves".   They would need shrewdness.. and yet remain innocent... thoughtful, cautious...earnest and aware.. yet, harmless and simple.. pure of heart. 

Jesus tells the disciples to go without earthly resources.. "Do not acquire gold, or silver or copper.. or a bag.. or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff."   They were going out in faith.  In  Luke 22:35  we read, "When I sent you out without purse and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you? And they said, 'No nothing'"  

".. the worker is worthy of his support".. Jesus tells them.  Deuteronomy 25:4  establishes this principle ... "You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing."  Paul speaks about this in I Corinthians.. where he condemns those who only preach to make money and refuses to take anything himself.. .. and in I Timothy 5:17-18 where he supports giving honor.. and wages to those who "work hard at preaching and teaching." In Luke 22:36.. Jesus does tell His disciples that they needed to take along "a purse.. a bag, and..  [a]  sword"... after His death and resurrection. God would still provide, but the work would be different. 

In verses 11-15  Jesus gives some specific instructions for entering a town.. First,  "inquire who is worthy in it; and abide there until you go away."  Even as they were to go in faith, without resources.. they were to go with discernment.  A "worthy" house or city would receive the "greeting of peace".  An unworthy house or city would not.   To receive the Lord's disciples would bring the blessing of God's peace.. to reject it would bring the curse of judgement. 

The disciples were told to "shake the dust off their feet" when leaving a house or city that rejected the message of the gospel.  In Acts 13:51 we read about Paul and Barnabas doing this when the Jews of Pisidian Antioch rejected the message and "drove them out of their district." 

Father in heaven, teach us Your ways.. that we might faithfully serve You as bearers of the Good News of Jesus Christ.  May we go in faith, trusting You for all things.  May we go with shrewdness.. thinking and preparing.. with godly wisdom and discernment.  May we go in innocence.. with no pretense or wrong motives.  Send forth workers into Your harvest Father.. with the power of the Gospel that is able to save lost souls.  Fill Your children with Your love and compassion for those who are "distressed and downtrodden".  We ask this in the Name of Jesus who sends us out with His authority. Amen. 

 Matthew 10:1-8  This chapter is all about discipleship.  It starts with Jesus giving specific instructions to the 12 as He sends them out for the first time.. "And having summoned His twelve disciples, He gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness."  Their message was simple, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." 

The twelve were sent only  to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" at that time.  It is later, after the resurrection that they would be sent "to all the nations.." ( Matt. 28:19)   The disciples were given "authority" at the time they were sent out in this chapter and we are reminded in chapter 28 that "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."  There is a truth there that we, the disciples of Jesus, need to grasp more fully.. with boldness.. Jesus has called us to go out in His Name.. the Name that has all authority in heaven and earth... so let us do it!

There are lessons here in Matthew 10 that we can learn from.. lessons of discipleship.  We see first of all, that our message is simple and certain.. "The kingdom of heaven is at hand."   This is good news! Matthew has recorded for us all that Jesus taught about the Kingdom.  This was why Jesus came.. that His reign would begin.. that all darkness and evil would be vanquished.. that healing and deliverance would be given.. that Truth and Love and Light would come through Him.  Jesus brought the kingdom to Israel first, but they rejected it.  He brings it to us now.. freely.  We just need to receive it, to receive Him.. our Lord, our Savior, our Eternal King.  Then we are meant to share it wherever we go.. 

Father in heaven, let Your Name be lifted up in praise and adoration.. in every tongue, in every tribe, and in every nation. Send forth workers into the harvest to tell the good news of Your Kingdom.. let Your Kingdom come!  Jesus has the authority to vanquish all evil!  Hallelujah!  He has called us to bear this good news to the lost sheep.. not just of Israel...but of every nation.  Let Your church arise and complete the commission that You have given to us.  Help us to have eyes to see the "distressed and downtrodden".. the fields white unto harvest. We beseech You, the Lord of the harvest, to send out more workers into Your harvest... May Your will be done.. on earth as it is in heaven.  Amen. 

 Matthew 9:18-38  A synagogue official's daughter, a suffering woman,  two blind men, and a demon-possessed man unable to speak... Jesus healed, brought back from the dead, relieved the suffering, gave back sight and words..

"Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well." (v22)

"Do you believe that I am able to do this?.. Be it done according to your faith."

The synagogue official believed that if Jesus came and laid His hand on his daughter.. she would live.

The suffering woman believed that if she could just touch His garment.. she would be healed.

The blind men believed that He was able to open their eyes.. 

The ones who brought the demon-possessed man believed He could set this captive free. 

And Jesus did!  How great was His compassion.. "And seeing the multitudes, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd."   His compassions never fail! He still feels the same today..He still sees us..  He still is willing to show us His mercy. 

Jesus came to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom.  He has come to reign and His reign is so, so good!  He delivers, He heals, He sets free the captives.. He opens our eyes.  He calls us to take courage and to have faith.  I read recently in a devotional book these words.. "Ask boldly."  It has stuck with me. These men and woman came to Jesus with deep needs and they asked boldly.. they believed boldly.. and they found that He answered their prayers according to their bold faith.. 

I John 5:14-15  "And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked of Him."

Jesus tells His disciples to ask this.. "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest!" 

Father in heaven, Holy One.. we come before You to beseech- to beg.. to bind ourselves to this petition.. that You would send forth workers with  the good news of the Gospel... to the multitudes today who are distressed and downcast.. lost, suffering, captive, blind, mute.. dead.  Fill us,, Spirit of God with bold faith.. with boldness in prayers and petitions.. that in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ the harvest of souls would indeed be plentiful!  Amen and amen!

 Matthew 9:14-17  The disciples of John the Baptist come to Jesus with a question about fasting. Jesus explained that His disciples were like the attendants of the bridegroom.. at the wedding .. and that they had no need to fast since He was with them.  Fasting is meant for the purpose of drawing closer to God.. to hear from Him and to receive His help. ( See discussion on Matthew 6:16)  There was a time coming, Jesus said, when He would no longer be right there with them.. and then they would mourn and fast. But, for now.. they were celebrating the wedding! It would be inappropriate to fast at a time like that..

The next two verses are harder ( for me)  to understand...  "But no one puts a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and a worse tear results. Nor do men put new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wineskins burst, and the wine pours out, and the wineskins are ruined; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved." 

The word used here for "patch" actually speaks of completing or to fill up something.  In this case to fill up a hole..  It would be inappropriate to put a new piece of cloth, which would be stiff, onto a soft, well-worn garment.  It would also be inappropriate to put new wine into a used vessel that could not withstand the fermentation process and would burst.  

Jesus was telling them that He was not the same as John the Baptist.. He was not trying to complete what John had done.. He wasn't trying to patch up the Jewish religion..  He was bringing the Kingdom.. and the old ideas.. even the ways of John..  and especially the ways of the Pharisees.. were not enough.  

New Life is what we need.. and there is only One Way to receive it.. through Jesus Christ alone!

Father in heaven, open our understanding to grasp what You want us to learn through this passage.  We don't want to cling to old ways of thinking.. but to be transformed by  the renewing of our minds through the work of the Holy Spirit. We desire the fulness of the reign of Christ Jesus in our lives.  We ask that You come to us "like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth." Flow, Spirit, flow.. set our hearts on fire with the great love of God, to the glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!