Matthew 13  "On that day Jesus went out of the house, and was sitting by the sea."  When the crowd began to gather, Jesus moved onto a boat and began to speak.. telling parables.  The disciples questioned Jesus about this, "Why do You speak to them in parables?"   His answer is striking.. "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted." 

Jesus explains that He spoke in parables "because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand."  The Lord quotes the words of Isaiah who was sent by God to speak to the people of Israel.. knowing that the people would refuse to listen.. "You will keep on hearing but will not understand; and you will keep on seeing but will not perceive; for the heart of the people have become dull..." 

The multitude that came to Jesus had been given every opportunity to believe.. but they wanted more. Only those who were willing to follow Jesus fully would be given more.. granted understanding of the Truths that Jesus was presenting in the form of parables.  The others would not. 

"But blessed are your eyes, because they see and your ears because they hear.." We must not take this for granted!  It is God who has granted us ears to hear and eyes to see.. the "mysteries of the kingdom.."

This first parable helps us to understand this... "Behold the sower went out to sow.. "  We know this well.. some seed fell on the hard ground and was immediately eaten by the birds.. Jesus compares this to times when the word of God is given and "the evil one snatches it away.."  This person doesn't understand the Word and cares nothing about it. 

Some seed "fell upon the rocky places".. This person hears the word and "receives it with joy".. but there is no root so it is only temporary.. and it will not live. 

Some seed "fell among the thorns".. This seed produced a little before it was choked out by the weeds. This person heard and received the word.. but didn't tend his heart.. worries and lies and the things of the world were more important.. so the little that was produced died before it could be useful. 

Only the seed that fell on ""the good soil" would yield a crop.. This represents the person who "hears the word and understands it who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.." 

It is not just hearing the Word.. which in itself is vital.. but understanding the Word that makes a person fruitful..  Isaiah said that when we truly "see with [our] eyes and hear with [our] ears.. and understand with [our] hearts"  we will return to the Lord and be healed. 

So how do we do it?  How do we gain understanding? How is it "granted" to us?  It goes back to Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit.. " It starts with admitting our poverty of spirit.. mourning our sins.. seeking righteousness and finding mercy. It is seeking God with all of our heart and leaning not on our own understanding.. but acknowledging Him in all our ways and allowing Him to direct our steps.  God promises that if we seek Him with all our heart we will find Him.  Our "roots" must go deep into Jesus so that we can survive the storms and the troubles and the temptations of this world. So that we can "bear fruit ".

Father, thank You for granting us ears to hear and eyes to see the grace that You have poured out on all who will believe in Jesus Christ and are saved.  Let our lives bear fruit as we abide in the True Vine, Christ Jesus our Lord.  We ask this in His holy name. Amen. 

 Matthew 12:38-50  The scribes and Pharisees wanted to see "signs"..  they had seen miracle after miracle, yet they were not satisfied, so they tested Jesus again.  But.. Jesus would not play their games.  "An evil  and adulterous generation craves for a sign.. " 

There was only one sign that Jesus was willing to give.. "the sign of Jonah the prophet."  They all knew the story of Jonah.. that he spent 3 days in the belly of a whale.  Likewise, Jesus told them, "the Son of Man" will spend 3 days and nights in "the heart of the earth."  Even when this sign was fulfilled.. they still would not believe.

Jesus makes two more statements that should have spoken to the hearts of these men.. 

"The men of Nineveh shall stand up with this generation at the judgement and shall condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold something greater than Jonah is here." 

And.. "the Queen of the South shall rise up with this generation at the judgement and shall condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold something greater than Solomon is here." 

Jesus compared "this wicked generation".. a generation that sought signs.. that refused to repent.. that failed to seek God.. to a demon-possessed man.. once delivered.. and again overcome with more wicked spirits so that he "becomes worse than the first".   Wickedness increases without repentance and belief in the Truth.  It was true in that day... and it is true in our day. 

Matthew adds on an interesting account at the end of this encounter with the Pharisees and scribes.  The mother and brothers of Jesus came to see Him.  At this time His brothers did not believe in Him as the Messiah.  Jesus was well aware of this. "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?"  He asked.  Not those of the flesh.. but.. "Stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, ' Behold, My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father, who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.' "  It is those who are born again.. who have come to Jesus and who have received Him as Lord and Savior.. who have been made whole by the blood of the Lamb.. who are adopted into the family of God and call Him Father.. we are His brothers and sisters and mother.  Amazing Grace!

Father, we come to You through the amazing grace found in Jesus Christ our Lord.  We ask that You lead us in truth and righteousness.. We pray that we will know the One who is greater than anyone or anything else.. the One who calls us brothers and sisters.. because You have taken us into Your family. Have Your way in us today, Lord. God of peace.. sanctify us entirely.. preserve our spirits, souls and bodies.. complete and without blame at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ... for You are faithful and You will bring it to pass. ( I Thes. 5:23-24)  Praise the Lord! Amen. 

 Matthew 12: 22-37  Jesus delivered a demon-possessed man "who was blind and dumb".  This man was unable to see Jesus and unable to ask for help. But.. after he met Jesus he was able to speak and see.  The pain and suffering caused by demonic forces seemed so rampant in the days of Jesus on earth.. and we know that it is still true in our day.. although we don't recognize it as readily as we probably should.  The multitudes were amazed at what Jesus did.. but the Pharisees called it the work of "Beelzebul". 

Jesus responds to the Pharisees with three points:

First, their accusations are illogical.  Using reasoning, Jesus explains that Satan could not cast out himself.  His kingdom would not stand with such actions.  Also, others who cast out demons would be in the same category that they were trying to place Jesus.. what would they say about that? 

Secondly and more importantly.. Jesus says, " But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."   The point that they were missing is the Presence of the Holy Spirit.. who bound "the strong man.. "   Jesus warns the Pharisees that they were entering into dangerous thinking.. they were guilty of "blasphemy against the Spirit".. a sin that would not be pardoned.  To be against Jesus was one thing.. but to "speak against the Holy Spirit"  was something much more serious.. "is shall not be forgiven him, either in this age, or in the age to come." 

The third truth that Jesus tells the Pharisees is that their words were revealing their hearts.. they spoke evil.. therefore their hearts must be evil.  A good man would produce good words.. just like a good tree produces good fruit. But, an evil man.. with an evil heart could only "bring forth what is evil".. like a bad tree would produce bad fruit.  

"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." 

Father, help us to guard our hearts and to guard our words. Fill us with Your Spirit.. of truth and wisdom, understanding and strength.. help us to exalt the Name of Jesus with our hearts and with our mouths.. to be "with" Jesus and never.. ever.. against Him.  We call upon this wonderful Name.. the Name of Jesus.. King of kings and Lord of lords.. asking that His life will be made manifest in us and Your Name be exalted in all the earth. amen. 

Matthew 12  Jesus and His disciples were walking through a field of grain when the disciples picked off some of the grain and ate it.  What a stir that caused!  The Pharisees jumped right on it and complained to Jesus.  But, Jesus wasn't upset about it at all.  He gave them two examples.. 

David and his army were hungry and ate some of the consecrated bread from the tabernacle one day.. and they were not condemned even though this would have been a great trespass against the Law.  Also, every Sabbath day the priests in the temple worked.. they worked really hard offering the sacrifices for that day.. they were not condemned either. 

Jesus said, "But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here."  The One who is the "Lord of the Sabbath" gave them a greater mission than defending their idea of Sabbath law.. "I desire compassion, and not a sacrifice.. " not condemnation.. not prideful legalism... not harsh judgements. 

As they went into the synagogue the Pharisees had another test for Jesus.. would he heal on the Sabbath?  There was a man with a withered hand.  A hand that kept him from working.. from providing for his family as he desired.  All Jesus did was say, "Stretch out your hand!"  And when the man did so it was instantly  restored to normal.  Jesus didn't even touch him. He just showed compassion. He showed that He valued that man more than anything else.. especially more than the approval of the Pharisees. 

Jesus had no problem with healing all those who followed Him that day. He was fulfilling the words of Isaiah. "Behold My servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well-pleased.. "  All He did was according to the Father's will.. pleasing the Father and revealing the Father's love for all people.

Father in heaven, how thankful we are for You.. the Almighty God who cares more for people than for any religious sacrifice.  You gave Your Beloved Son to show us the greatest example of compassion and love that the world could ever know.  He is greater than any temple, greater than any prophet or any king.  He is Lord of all and the Lord who is my Lord and King.  Hold me closer to Your heart Lord that I might learn to live a life of compassion and kindness every day.  Be exalted and glorified in Your people who live for You in this way.. in compassion and love.. for the sake of Your holy Name.  Amen.  

 Matthew 11  John the Baptist is in prison.. perhaps discouraged.. wondering why things weren't turning around.. after all the Messiah has come!  So, he sent his disciples to go see Jesus.. to ask Him if He really was the "Expected One".  Jesus answered John's inquiry this way.. "Go and report to John what you hear and see;  the blind receive 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." 

The "Expected One" turned out to be different than what John expected. Jesus has a way of doing things that are far different than what we think He will. He goes far beyond our expectations!  Did John think that Jesus would just become King of the world and that would be that?  We kind of wish it was that way...  But, Jesus came to do something much greater.. He came to meet the greatest needs of mankind so that we can be ready for His Kingdom to come. 

Jesus told the crowd that John was "more than a prophet".  He was God's messenger.  He was "Elijah". Why were they drawn to him.. why did they go out into the wilderness?  What did they expect John to be?  What did they expect the Messiah to be?  They criticized John.. They criticized Jesus.. because neither of them were what they expected them to be.  "Yet, wisdom is vindicated by her deeds." Or as the Message says it, "The proof is in the pudding"!  Look and listen, Jesus told the disciples of John.. look and listen He is telling the multitude.  See what Jesus did.. not just what you expected.. but what actually happened. 

How do I practice this in my own life?  Do I also have expectations about what Jesus is doing or will do in my life.. that are not being met the way I think they should be?  Am I willing to stop making it about what I want.. and look and listen to what He is actually doing? 

Lord, my King and Master, have Your own way.. I am weary and heavy laden and I need Your rest. I take Your yoke.. to learn from You. Thank You for sharing Your life with me.  I need You so. Help me to look and to listen.. to see You.. the real Messiah and Lord.. the Son of God.. the King of kings.. who leads me to the Father and reveals Him to me.... O praise the Lord!  Hallelujah! Thank You Jesus! Amen. 

 Matthew 10:1-15   Jesus chose 12 men to be His disciples.. His students.. His friends.  He called them to follow and they chose to leave everything else behind to go with Him.  Now, Jesus sends them out to do the works He prepared them for.. "He gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness." (v1) 

These 12 men were each unique in there own ways.. Peter, Andrew, James and John were all fishermen, but their personalities were quite different.  We know little of Philip and Bartholomew, Thaddeus and the other James or Simon the Zealot.  We know Matthew was a tax collector and Judas Iscariot was the betrayer.. and Thomas was the doubter..  but we don't know much else about them.  Yet, these men would all play a significant part in the kingdom of God and the furtherance of the gospel. 

They all went out. They all preached the good news.. "The kingdom of heaven is at hand."  They all healed the sick, raised the dead, cleansed the lepers and cast out demons. They all gave freely and took nothing in return. They all blessed those who received them and shook the dust off their feet when they were rejected.  They went out.. with the Words of Jesus ringing in their ears.. "Beware... " 

Discipleship is not for the weak of heart.. it is for those who are willing to be "poor in spirit".  Willing to lay it all down for Jesus. Willing to trust that God the Father cares for you more than He does the sparrows. ".. do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows.. "  The most precious song that we can sing is "His eye is on the sparrow.. so I know He watches me.. " How is it that we forget this so easily? 

Discipleship means living for Jesus.. confessing Him before men.. putting Him before anyone or anything else..  laying down Your life.. taking up your cross and following Him through whatever the day brings.  Whether we are accepted by others or rejected.. it doesn't matter. Whether we live or die.. even that does not matter.. What does matter is that we are found in Him.. enduring until the end!  Let us be found faithful..in the big things and in the small things.. like giving a cup of cold water to one who needs it. 

Father in heaven, You call us to  a life that we are not capable of living.. unless You live in us by Your Spirit.. fill us and keep us walking in the way, the truth and the life that Jesus gives. It is in His name we come. Amen. 

 Matthew 9:18-38  Matthew records a series of miraculous healings... a woman who hemorrhaged for 12 years; a child who had died; two blind men; and a demon-possessed man unable to speak.  Matthew tells us in verse 36 that "..seeing the multitudes, He felt compassion for them because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd." 

What great compassion our Savior has for us.  He sees our distress.  He knows our greatest needs.  The synagogue official had just watched his daughter die.. but he came to find Jesus.. with faith that trusted Him to overcome death.   The suffering woman had given everything she could to find healing for her condition.. but she came in faith.. to touch the hem of His cloak.. and found healing. 

The two blind men cried out to Him and followed Him into the house. When Jesus asked, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?".. Their answer was "Yes Lord". .  Jesus touched their eyes and they received their sight.. "according to (their) faith".  The dumb, demon-possessed man was brought to Jesus.. by someone who had faith that Jesus would help.. and He did. 

Only the Pharisees refused to see the Truth. They hardened their hearts. They accused the Son of God of having demonic power.  They were the ones who were in need of healing.. the ones who were really blind.. the ones who were in need of new life. 

Jesus told His disciples to "Beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."  There was such great need.. such loss.. such distress.. in the world.. in those days.. and in these days.. now.  We need to carry on the prayers of the disciples.. 

Father in heaven.. will You once again send out workers into Your harvest.. to bring hope for the hurting.. help for the weak.. and life to those who are dead in their sins.  Raise up Your church. Empower your people. Send forth shepherds to have compassion on those who have no other hope.. let Your Name be lifted up and the gospel of Jesus Christ be shouted from the hilltops.. we pray this in His holy Name. amen. 

 Matthew 9: 9- 17  Sometimes we just can't understand what Jesus is doing.. it was the same back in His days on earth. He chose a tax collector to be His disciple.  He went home with him and sat at the table with other tax collectors and "sinners".. people rejected by the religious leaders.  They just couldn't understand...  

Jesus said, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means, 'I desire compassion and not sacrifice,' for I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." (vs 12-13)

The Pharisees did not show mercy or compassion towards anyone but themselves, especially not a tax-collector. They would not even show mercy to their own family members at times.  Jesus came to show the whole world what really matters.. As we come to know Him more and more we see that this is what He desires from each of us.. to be merciful and kind to those who need it the most.. 

John the Baptist's disciples came to Jesus with another question.. "Why do we and the Pharisees fast but Your disciples do not fast?"  Jesus gave them an answer that was probably not expected or understood.. "The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they?"  Things were about to change and they needed to be ready to change too.  They wouldn't put a new patch on an old garment or new wine into an old wineskin. They needed a new perspective on what God was doing. The Bridegroom was right there in front of them.. and they were missing Him with questions about religious practices. 

Am I missing Jesus in the midst of my own questions?  Am I focused on the things I don't understand so much that I forget about what God really desires from me.. mercy and compassion.. and Jesus Himself?

Father, lead us into a deeper walk.. a deeper awareness and understanding of Your heart.. of Your desires for us today and every day. Fill us Spirit of God so that we can see Jesus and follow Him with all our hearts. Let Your love flow through us today we pray.. in Jesus' name. Amen. 

  Matthew 9: 1-8  Jesus showed His authority in His teaching.  He showed it in healing the leper, the centurions servant, and Peter's mother-in-law.  He revealed His authority over the wind and the waves and over the legion of demons in the Gadarenes. Now.. back in Capernaum.. Jesus showed His authority to forgive sin . 

The paralytic was brought to Jesus "lying on a bed". It was the faith of the friends who brought him to Jesus that led Him to say, "Take courage, My son, your sins are forgiven."   

"Take courage".. take comfort or cheer..  The friends of this man had courage.. they were willing to do whatever it took to bring their friend to Jesus. It is Mark who tells us about the 4 men who removed the roof of the house to let down the pallet that they had carried their paralyzed friend on.  But, the one who Jesus addressed is the one who need courage. Courage to believe.  

Perhaps this is why Jesus addressed the greatest need of this young man.. forgiveness of his sins... before He addressed the physical need.  If sin .. if unbelief.. remained.. would healing help? We don't know what had happened in this man's life.  We don't know the cause of his paralysis.. What we do know is that he was a sinner and he needed forgiveness.  Jesus had the authority to grant it.   And He did so willingly. 

The scribes were watching carefully.  They were ready to pounce on any indication that Jesus was a false teacher. They didn't want to acknowledge that He had any authority at all.. let alone the authority to forgive sin.  Jesus knew their greatest need too.  "But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins - then He said to the paralytic - Rise, take up your bed, and go home." 

The man got up, picked up his bed and left.  Leaving all those who saw this "filled with awe" and giving glory to God "who had given such authority to men." 

The word used here for "authority"  also is used to mean power, privilege, capacity, freedom, mastery, jurisdiction, and right.  Jesus alone has this authority.  Hebrews 1-2 tell us that Jesus is the "heir of all things".. that "He uphold all things by the word of His power"..and that "all things" are subjected to Him. 

Today is Good Friday.. the day we set aside to remember that the One who is the Supreme authority over all the earth, laid down that authority... so that He was nailed to a cross... to bleed and die.. so that all of us can be forgiven of our sins.  Oh may we believe and rejoice in this great salvation!  And oh how we rejoice that He rose again on the third day! Showing that His authority is complete.. conquering sin and death and hell. Praise the Lord !

Father in heaven, how thankful we are for Jesus Christ who is our Lord and Savior forever!  Let the earth rejoice in the great salvation that You have provided through the Lamb of God, who gave His life so that we might be set free from sin and healed by His Word. Amen and amen! 

 Matthew 8:28-34   Matthew, Mark, and Luke all describe this specific event in the ministry of Jesus.  Only Matthew mentions that there were 2 men who were demon-possessed, living in the tombs, full of violence and stronger than the chains that were used to try to bind them. 

In all three accounts it is the demons that cry out to Jesus first.  "What have we to do with You, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?"  Mark and Luke tell us that there were so many demons in the one man that they called themselves "Legion".   Thousands of demons lived in this man.. and they pleaded with Jesus to not throw them into the abyss.. the bottomless pit. 

The demons pleaded to be sent into the herd of pigs and Jesus allowed them to do so.  The pigs then ran down the hill and into the water and drowned.  What a frightening thing that must have been to those who saw this.. to those who were responsible for those animals.  When they went into the town and reported the incident the whole town came out to see.. so frightened that they begged Jesus to leave. 

Only one man was changed that day.. and oh what a change! From a violent, naked, crazy man who lived in a tomb.. to a clothed, sane, disciple of Jesus.. a man who would go through all the 10 cities of Decapolis telling "what great things Jesus had done for him.. " ( Mark 5:20)

Jesus got back in the boat with His disciples and left. I have always loved this story. Jesus crossed a stormy sea to meet this one.. demon-possessed.. violent.. crazy.. naked.. man.  We don't know what happened to the other demoniac.  Perhaps he too was changed.. but he is never mentioned in the other two accounts.  But, we know that Jesus went to this specific place at a specific time to meet a specific man.. and that is so precious to me... because He does the same for us.. He comes through the storms of our lives.. finds us in quite a mess.. and frees us from whatever binds us.. from sin and death and hell.. and he forever changes our lives.  What a wonderful Savior is Jesus our Lord !

Father, thank You for the salvation that we have through Jesus Christ our Lord.  He sought us and bought us with His blood. He died to take away our sins. He rose again and is our Living Hope. He has prepared a place for us for eternity.  May the Name of Jesus be glorified in us today we pray. Amen. 

 Matthew 8:18-27  As Jesus prepares to leave the area He is approached by several men. The first one is a scribe, perhaps a public servant or a secretary.. or a religious teacher. "Teacher, I will follow you wherever You go." the man pledged.  But, Jesus saw something in this man that would hinder that decision.. "the foxes have holes and the birds have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay His head." He replied.  Would this man be able to lay it all down to truly follow Jesus?  

The second man wants to follow Jesus, but he also has something that hinders him.. "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father." (v21)   Jesus gives this man another opportunity to make a choice.. " Follow Me; and allow the dead to bury their own dead." 

We don't know if either of these men ended up disciples of Jesus.. 

Would we?  Would we choose to surrender our jobs and homes and security?  Would we.. do we?

Jesus and the 12 got into the boat and began crossing the lake. We know the story.. the wind picked up, the storm was really, really bad.. even the fishermen were worried.. but Jesus was sleeping.  They did wake Him up and call upon Him.. not knowing what else to do.. "Save us, Lord; we are perishing."  They did have faith.. a little faith..  that He could help.. but they did not know what He would do.. "Why are you timid, you men of little faith?

Jesus rebuked the wind and the sea and it became calm.  It wasn't what they expected.. but it was certainly what they needed! "What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" 

Are we timid? Fearful? Afraid to ask for what we really need? Oh for faith that asks and receives.. that seeks and finds.. that knocks and finds the door opening! 

Father, may we be the disciples that get in the boat.. that trust the Savior who can calm the storms.. that leave behind all the things that keep up from following Jesus all the way.. even to the cross. Thank You for  showing us such grace and love.. patiently drawing us deeper with You.  Let the name of Jesus be glorified in our lives today as we choose to follow Him…. we pray in His holy Name.  Amen. 

 Matthew 8:1-17  Verse 17 says, "In order that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, 'He Himself took our infirmities, and carried away our diseases.' " 

After finishing the sermon, Jesus "had come down from the mountain,".. All He has spoken would still be ringing through the ears of the multitude.. but the first one to act was a leper.  This man came and bowed down before Jesus and said, "Lord if You are willing, You can make me clean."   It was more than a question. It was a statement of faith. "And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, 'I am willing, be cleansed.' "  

The second one to approach Jesus was a centurion, a roman officer, who came to Jesus on behalf of a servant. "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering great pain."  Jesus was willing to go to the suffering servant, but the centurion called himself unworthy for Him to come to his home. Instead, he appealed to the obvious authority that Jesus had and asked Him to say the word. Jesus called this "great faith". 

The third person to be healed in this passage was Peter's mother-in-law.  No one asked Jesus to intervene.. but He saw the need.. He touched her hand.. and she was healed. 

After this many more suffering people were brought to Jesus. Many were demon-possessed and " He cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were ill." 

Faith was running through that town.. and all who came to Jesus found Him able to meet their great need.  Jesus had a lesson to speak in the midst of this. "And I say to you, that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom shall be cast out into the outer darkness.. "  

Only those who will come to Jesus in faith will find their place in the Kingdom.  A leper, a centurion, a servant, or a precious family member.. whoever you are.. whatever your need.. whatever your status.. it doesn't matter. What matters is that you come to the One who takes away our infirmities and carries away our diseases.  May we act on what He has said.. May we ask in faith and find Him willing... May we believe in His authority to just say the Word. 

Father in heaven, we rejoice in Your goodness to us. You have given us a Mighty Savior who hears our prayers and Who heals our diseases. Thank you for stirring us up to act in faith.. to ask in faith.. and to walk in faith.. until that day when we will come to the table in Your Kingdom!  In Jesus our Lord we come. Amen. 

 Matthew 7:24-29  Jesus ends His sermon with one more warning. He compares those who have heard His word and act upon it and those who heard but don't.  Those who take heed of all He has spoken are like the house built on rock.. and those who don't are like houses built on sand. 

Both houses face the same storms.. the same rain and floods and winds. But one will fall and the other will stand.  In this world, the apostle wrote, we will face troubles.  Being a believer does not make us immune to the struggles of life in a fallen world.  Sometimes, we even face more!  The difference is our Foundation.  Christ Jesus is a firm foundation.  He has given Himself so that we might overcome with Him.. in Him.. and through His strength. 

This was a long sermon.. so what "words" are the ones we need to act upon? Is it the light that we need to shine?  Is it about the righteousness that we need.. a righteousness greater than the Pharisees and scribes? Is it about praying, giving, and fasting?  Or is it asking, seeking, and knocking?  In all of these things we see that Jesus is calling us to choose the narrow way.. choose to trust Him.. to seek Him first.. to come into that deeper relationship.. an intimate, personal relationship with our Heavenly Father. 

Jesus taught with "authority" Matthew tells us.  He knows about the storms and winds and flooding.  He knows that Life is found in His Word, in His way..  We make our choice and we either stand in Him or we fall without Him. He is urging us to choose Him!

Father in heaven, thank You for giving us the grace to hear the Words of Christ and to do them.  We know we must have His strength and wisdom and thank You for the rich supply of both according to Your loving kindness. Help us to have ears to hear and hearts to understand all that Jesus taught and did.  May our lives be built on Him and may good fruit be produced to the glory of Your Name. Amen. 

  Matthew 7:13-23  "Enter by the narrow gate... " Jesus tells us...   There are only two choices.. the "broad way that leads to destruction"  and the "narrow" one that "leads to life."  Jesus knows that many will choose the wide gate and that only a few will find the narrow way.  We all have a choice to make.. and it is not always easy. 

Jesus teaches that there are also two kinds of "prophets". The true prophet will be known by his actions.. the fruit that his life produces... "good fruit".  There are also "false prophets  who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves."  Jesus assures us that we will able to recognize them "by their fruits". (verse 16 and verse 20)..

It is impossible for a "bad tree" to produce "good fruit".  When we watch carefully and pay attention to the  fruit of a person's life.. we can tell what kind of character they have and what road they have chosen. 

Jesus warns that those who are imposters.. who even tried to fool Him with their religious words and works.. will not slip into the kingdom unseen.  He sees the heart.  He knows those who are His own.  He is the vine and we are the branches and we can bear NO fruit at all without Him. 

I remember having a little poem once.. can't find it now.. but it started with the words.. "You tell on yourself.. "   By everything we do.. everything we say..we make clear the road that we have chosen.. the kind of tree we are.. the heart and soul of who we are because of Who we belong to. The Lord is never fooled by the outward appearance.. for He sees our hearts.  We may fool others.. for a time.. but eventually we tell on ourselves.. and what is hidden will come to light. 

Father in heaven, may we be genuine in our thoughts, our words, and our actions.. loving You with all our hearts and souls and minds and bodies. Completely yours. We choose the narrow way.. the way of Christ Jesus our Lord. Let Your will be done in us today as we abide in Jesus.. and may good fruit be produced in our lives to the glory of Your Name. Amen. 

 Matthew 7:7-12  Jesus tells us to "Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to your. "  Ask.. seek.. knock..  Three actions.  Verbal, mental, and physical actions. 

What are we to ask for?  The example is a son asking for bread or fish.  Asking for something good.. something necessary.. something that the father is more than willing to provide for the well-being of his child.  Jesus says, " .. how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!" (v11) 

Psalm 84:11 "For the Lord God is a sun and a shield; the Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly."   Paul wrote in Romans 8:32 "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" Our Father knows what we need in order to become all that He desires us to be.. and He will freely give us whatever that is.. but.. we are told to "ASK". 

We are also told to "SEEK".. and keep on seeking.  In Matthew 6:33 Jesus told us to "... seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. " We don't seek the things.. we seek Him. We seek His rule and reign.. His will.. His plan.. His way. Deuteronomy 4:29 "... you will seek the Lord your God and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and soul."  I Chronicles 16:11 says, "Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually."  And Acts 17:26-27 records Paul's message in Athens.. "and He made from one, every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us." 

Jesus did not stop with telling us just to ask and to seek.. but He tells us also to knock. We are to keep on knocking.. so that the door will be opened.  In Luke's account of this message there is an example given. A man who has a late night visitor... needs bread to serve his friend. He goes to his other friend and knocks at the door, asking for 3 loaves of bread.  Although this friend has already gone to bed and doesn't want to get up.. he does "because of his persistence". (Luke 11:5-8)

We ask and seek and knock.. because our Father in heaven is a generous provider. He is also wise in His giving.. only providing that which is good.. according to His perfect will.  We ask and we trust Him to answer our prayer according to His wonderful grace and goodness. 

Father in heaven, we ask for Your grace to overflow in our lives so that we can treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves. We ask for discernment.. to judge ourselves and our own motives and ideas before we dare look to judge another. We ask for the Spirit of God to help us to seek You first.. Your kingdom and Your righteousness, that we might rest in Your gracious provisions.. content and thankful. We ask all of this in the only name that enables us to come before You.. the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

 Matthew 7  “Do not judge lest you be judged.”   We are reminded of this verse.. especially when someone disagrees with our judging!   Sometimes we are harsh in our judgements.. sometimes I think that we don’t really mean to judge.. but our mouths open without fully thinking through what we are saying.. and our hearts are in need of sanctification..  

Either way we need to understand what Jesus was teaching here.  The word “judge” has many possible meanings in the original language.. It can mean to separate, to put asunder, to pick out, select, or choose. It can mean to approve, esteem or prefer. It may mean to state our opinion.. or to determine or resolve… It could be meant to censure or to pass judgment.  It can also mean to condemn, avenge, or subject to punishment.  Over all.. it implies that those who judge are those who claim power over those they subject to their judgement. It comes from pride.. not from humility. 

Jesus said, “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.” 

Jesus gives an example of this in Matthew 23:14 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses, even while for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you shall receive the greater condemnation.”   They measured out judgement against the poor and needy.. acting like they were better and exhibiting power over them.. but the judgement against them, Jesus says,  would be from God’s hand.. a “greater condemnation” . 

Jesus tells us how to deal with this kind of attitude in ourselves.. we must  examine ourselves.. “take the speck out of your eye”… Make sure to see clearly.. Notice your own imperfections.  Don’t be a hypocrite, pretending to be righteous.  Don’t put others down to make yourself look better.  Choose to help your brother or sister who might be dealing with an issue.. but help without passing judgement.  It is not up to us to condemn another. 

Father in heaven,  forgive us our trespasses, our debts, our sins, our judgements.. and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  We are in need of Your judgement.. to discern our deepest needs and to bring them to the foot of the cross.  Thank You for seeing our hearts and revealing Yourself to us in all truth and grace… that we might repent and find new life in Christ Jesus who is the Judge of all. Lead us in Your paths, Lord God. Remove the attitude of pride and self-righteousness.  May we humbly come alongside others to carry their burdens and love them in their need.  Come Lord Jesus and live out Your life in us today. Amen. 

 Matthew 6:25-34

“.. do not be anxious for your life..”.   This is one of the most difficult things for most of us, to not be anxious.. to not worry.. to not take thought of.. the essentials of life: food, clothing, shelter.. or anything else. 

But, Jesus tells us that our “Father knows”.. our Father cares.. our Father provides.  Our faith is so small sometimes.. so we let anxiety in… 

Jesus says that anxiety can’t feed us.  It can’t cloth us.  It can’t change our height or weight or the hair on our head. It only has power over us when we let it win over faith. 

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” (V33)  Seek- continually.. seek in order to find.. seek until the kingdom is foremost in your thoughts and desires.  Seek the Kingdom where Jesus reigns and rules.. where He provides every need.. where His plans and purposes fulfill every Word that He has spoken.  Seek that intimate relationship that is possible because He came.. He died.. and He rose again. 

Father in heaven,  in You alone to we find life.  You give us hope and peace and love.  You give us faith. Help us to have faith that trusts even when things don’t go as we want. Faith that Your plans are better. Thank You for providing all that we need today.  Thank You that tomorrow is in Your hands too.  May Christ be exalted as we seek Him with all our hearts today. In His name we pray. Amen. 

 Matthew6:1-24  "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men..."

Jesus says we must choose.. to serve God or to serve "mammon"... riches or wealth or any other master.  As God's children, followers of Jesus Christ, we have made that choice.  We are looking at life from a different point of view.. from God's perspective instead of man's.  Our character is being reformed and transformed by the Holy Spirit and even our "righteous" actions will be different than before. 

Jesus gives some examples of ways our religious practices must change to conform to the Father's will. 

The giving of alms is an important part of many religions.  Jesus taught that the right way to give is privately.. .in secret.  It is not something to flaunt before others to be notices and honored.  It is not something to do in order to receive a reward of any kind from others.  We give "alms".. gifts of mercy and compassion and charity.. with a heart of love.. even as our Father in heaven has given to us in our spiritual poverty. 

Prayer is without a doubt a vital part of religious life. But, it is not meant to be a show.  It is not something to do in a proud or pious way.  Jesus teaches us to come humbly before our Father.. in secret. It is a time of sweet communion with the God of peace and comfort, Who has seen our great need and desires to fill our hunger and thirst for  righteousness with His Presence. 

Prayer is not supposed to be just words.. it is meant to be meaningful.  It is a conversation and a connection with Almighty God.. our Father, who is worthy of our praise and thanksgiving.  It is seeking Him and finding Him. It is remembering that He is the Life-giver and all things are in His hands and that He knows what we need.. It is about confession and repentance.. forgiveness and intercession. It is a Father and His child sitting together in a time of intimate fellowship. 

Fasting is another aspect of many religions. And once again we see how it has been and continues to be misused.  Jesus taught that we should fast secretly. No one else needs to be in on this.. it is between us and God . 

In verses 19-24 Jesus speaks about storing up treasures. We don't really consider this a religious  practice, but there are many who think that their blessings.. their wealth.. comes because of their "righteousness".  Jesus says that earthly treasures are corruptible... only treasures in heaven are lasting.  And, even more importantly.. "where your treasure is there will your heart be also." 

So, again we are confronted by the statement He makes in verse 24.. are we serving God.. in our giving, praying, fasting, and storing up of treasures?  Or are we serving ourselves?

Father in heaven, may Your Name be kept holy, may Your kingdom come, and may Your will be done! You are our provider.. of all that we need today. Have compassion on us once again we pray.  We praise and worship You. Amen. 

 Matthew 5:21-   Jesus said that He came to fulfill the Law.. "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished."  Jesus Himself will do what we cannot do.. He will perfectly finish or fulfill the Law. It will take a righteousness that " surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees"... it will take a righteousness that only comes by faith in Christ the Lord. 

Jesus illustrates His point with these examples that miss the mark of God's perfect Law. 

The Law forbids murder, of course, but God's perfect will looks at hatred and anger and spite.. and unforgiveness as just as much a sin.  

The Law condemns adultery but God in His holy will desires that no marriage be marred with infidelity of any kind. 

The Law calls for "an eye for and eye and a tooth for a tooth.."  but what God desires for HIs children is a humble attitude that turns the cheek.. that forgives the persecuted.. that prays for the enemy. 

God's desire for His children is that we are so filled with His Spirit through Jesus Christ our Lord that we think and act and talk.. like Him. He wants us to love like He does. He wants us to be "perfect" as He is. 

Only Jesus can bring us into this perfection. Only His Spirit in us can bring us out of the law of sin and death and into the eternal life that Christ died to make possible.  

Father, once again we confess our poverty of spirit.. our lack of righteousness of our own and our great and desperate need for Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Fill us Spirit of God.. transform not just our minds and wills but our character.. that we  might truly be salt and light to this sin-filled world. We ask for Your power to live in the perfection of our Lord Jesus to the glory of Your holy Name.  amen.