Surely I am with You Always

Do we live life like God is with us????   I am afraid that we don't live like this much of the time.

At the very end of Matthew's Gospel...verse 20...Jesus says, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."   Jesus promises to be with us...always. Always is always!!!! To me that means no breaks in the action....no alone time....together forever...until the very end of the age.

And what are we to be doing?  Discipling the nations.  Thats our responsibility...our job...no matter what are gifts are....we are to be teaching others about God's wonderful gift of Grace....and He is with us always...to supply us with the power to transform lives.

Surely He was the Son of God

The words of an almost overlooked witness...the Roman centurion really spoke to me while reading Matthew 27 when he said, "Surely He was the Son of God."   More than likely he saw a lot from the arrest of Jesus...to His many trials...to His crucifixion...and burial.
   This Roman officer probably saw:
Jesus sit silent before His accusers(v12)
Jesus hear the crowd chanting, "Crucify Him" (v22)
Jesus being flogged by fellow soldiers (v26)
Jesus stripped and a crown of thorns struck on His head (v28)
Jesus mocked by the soldiers (v29) and spit upon by the soldiers
Jesus rapidly strung on the head with a staff (v30)
Jesus nailed to the cross
an extremely thirsty Jesus offered a vinegar-type drink/twice(v34,48)
Jesus insulted, mocked...heaped with insults(v 39,41, 44)
Jesus dying on the cross.

After an earthquake...this soldier exclaimed that Jesus must have been the Son of God (v54)

This man was neither one of the Jews nor was he one of Jesus' followers...but yet he was there observing.
What a witness for us.  A man that had probably heard for weeks...both sides of the story...from the
the hatred of the Jewish leadership....to the love and devotion of His followers.  The one common impression...was that both sides were amazed with Jesus.  Then comes along this observer(the Centurion) whose job it is to carry out the orders of the governor....and after enduring the ordeal...He sums up the identity of this crucified man..."He was the Son of God."

Foolish vs Wise?

It seems like most of Matthew 25 is spent telling the difference in wise and foolish people in the Kingdom.

It begs the question....do you want to hear the words?  "well done good and faithful servant" (v21) or would you rather hear? "You wicked, lazy worthless servant."

The God of the Universe will be saying to us...one of these 2 statements of evaluation.  Which do want to hear?

It seems that the life we are given will boil down to how we apply Jesus' instruction..."to the least of these"
Are we wise or foolish...sheep or goats? It might be how we view and value His gift of Grace...

See to it that You are not Alarmed...

The Last Days....what are we to be doing?

In Matthew 24 Jesus describes the last days,
"You will hear of wars...Nation will rise against nation...there will be famine and earthquakes in various places.  All these are the beginning of birth pains."

So what is our response in these days?
Jesus says, "Watch out that no one deceives you....see to it that you are not alarmed...you will be hated by nations because of me."
Later in the chapter he says to keep watch...because we must be ready!!!!

What does Jesus mean?  I think he means for us to neither live unaware of the kingdom of God...nor in a panic about the distresses of the world.  Jesus wants us to "Be aware of Kingdom matters...to love others so much that we dare to tell them about Jesus and His Kingdom....to be ready...not surprised by the chaos of the world.
  
"...but he who endures to the end will be saved."

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a Party

Matthew 22: 1 starts off with Jesus telling a story...“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son."

The Prince's wedding banquet sound like a party to me...when he says the King has prepared an extravagant dinner.  This is an all-out celebration thrown by Royalty.  Royalty does not cut corners....check out Prince Williams wedding that's happening later this year 

So story continues with the king sending his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

I can't imagine someone turning down such an invitation from the king....can you?  "I'm sorry but I am really busy ...Your Majesty...I  have better, more important things to do that day. I won't be able to come to the most extravagant celebration in kingdom history."

God invites each one of us to join him in eternity.  All we have to do is sincerely accept his invitation...but yet
many people reject this invitation.  Jesus say the Kingdom is like a wedding banquet....sounds like a party that none of us will want to miss.

Do You Need Jesus?

Do you see Jesus as a killjoy...a rule enforcer...someone sent to ruin your good time?  Many people (like the cheif preist and teachers of the law) think of Jesus in terms of limiting their behavior....a barrier to their fun....their power.  Others see him as an overseer waiting for them to make a wrong move....someone sent to make them feel guilty.

Did you notice in Matthew 21:14-15... the the lame and the blind did not consider Jesus in these ways.  They were in need...in need of a savior.  They searched out this man that had the power to heal them.  Their savior was Jesus.  They received healing...and much more than they ever counted on....

The little children were also gathering around Jesus when he was around.  Their reaction was not of rejection...but of shouting from pure joy.  They must have loved Jesus.  They were drawn to His welcoming, loving persona...The One they wanted to be around.

If we insist on living life our way...we will never know Jesus as our Savior and Lord.  If we realize our need for a savior like the deaf and blind...we too will seek out Jesus with a different heart "attitude."  If we humble our selves and become like little children....then we too will love and enjoy our true Savior.

Parallel Parables????

I don't think I have ever noticed such similarities between this parable of the "workers in the vineyard" (Matthew 20:1-16) and the "prodigal son parable"(Luke 15)...until this reading.

The Owner/ Father figure in both stories wants to be generous to both the "old faithful" servant/brother character and the"newly committed" servant/brother character. In both cases the faithful one is angry because they selfishly are only concerned for their own welfare.  They  think they are being slighted....their role somehow diminished. Instead of celebrating the inclusion of their fellow laborer/brother. Their heart condition was the thing the Owner/Father was judging.

Most scholars would probably agree that the faithful character would be the Jews... and that the new comer would be the Gentiles. It would have been a very hard lesson to swallow for the Pharisees, Scribes and the teachers of the Law.

Is it any easier for long time Christians to hear these stories? 

We too, can learn from these 2 parables....God does look at our hearts. He does not judge us on seniority or effort or certain theologies or denomination or specific worship style  or any other "Americanized" standard...He looks at our heart...He wants us all to turn to him...We are to "give away" the kingdom not hoard it for ourselves.... we are to rejoice in our Master's joy...."the last will be first."

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

Matthew 18:21-35 is Jesus teaching his disciples (and us) about forgiveness. 

After a question from Peter....Jesus goes into a subject that is at the heart of His ministry..."forgiveness."

His lesson about the unmerciful servant teaches us to extend the grace of forgiveness given to us...to others.
If our God is merciful and forgiving...we should also be merciful and forgiving.

The parable climaxes with these sobering words from the master,"You wicked servant, I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.  Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?"

Is there someone that you are withholding forgiveness?  It is a question we should really think about....
I want to forgive everyone. Jesus has given us his all...his life... to forgive us...so, we must also forgive others.

"In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart."

Faith as Small as a Mustard Seed

First, Jesus tells the disciples (in Matthew 17:20) that they could not drive out demons because they had so little faith...then He turns around and says if they have the faith as small as a mustard seed...they will be able to move mountains...in fact nothing will be impossible for them. That doesn't seem to be alot of difference...."so little faith"  vs. "faith as small as a mustard seed."

Now a mustard seed is pretty small....which I guess means that the disciples had just about no faith at all.  Before we get to harsh on the disciples...we have to ask ourselves." how large is my faith?  Do I really trust Jesus with my life?"

I am sure when Jesus said this to them they were immediately convicted of their lack of faith in His powers through them.  I think Jesus encourages them by comparing a "workable faith" as the size of a mustard seed.
If my faith is in Jesus power and not in my own power...it just takes a hint of faith...Jesus will do the rest....He will supply the power for ministry and for life. Trust Jesus...in everything.

Want to be a Disciple of Jesus?

Jesus tells his disciples in Matthew 16:24,  “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

So what must we do? Let's summarize it ....
1.Deny yourself
2.Take up your Cross
3.Follow Jesus

All these add up to losing our lives....that means what God wants...not what we want.
Sounds like a bunch of legalism...but this life stems from love.  When we discover what Jesus has done for us...then this life of a disciple is what we want to live.

Garbage in...Garbage out

We refer to it all the time, "garbage in...garbage out." 

Jesus says in Matthew 15:18, "But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart..."

If what is stored in your heart is good...then good will come forth from your mouth.  If bad is stored up in your heart then bad will come out of your mouth.

In other words...Your mouth is a good indicator of what is stored up in your heart.   Not God-honoring....stop loading up your heart with TV, porno, movies, magazines, etc...start pouring God's word into your heart.....it will change what you talk about...and the way you live.

He Promised with an Oath to Give Her Whatever She Asked

In the beginning of Matthew 14, a guilt ridden Herrod is so haunted by his judgement to behead "John the Baptist"...that he claims Jesus is a "resurrected" John.

And it all started with him lusting over and coveting a young dancer girl....then he had so much pride that he felt that he could not go back on his word. So he had John put to death.

What a mess, when sin dominates our lives.  Sin just piles up when we do our own thing. In fact...sin is when we say to God...."my way, not your way."  It is easy to see in Herrod's life....in Charlie Sheen's life.
Unless we repent....our lives are a mess.

Jesus came to save us from our sins. To free us from the bondage of sin.  He is calling for us to turn to him... he wants us to enter the peace of knowing Him....the freedom of life with Him.

Which Soil are You?

In the first part of Matthew 13, Jesus tells the crowds a story.  Later his disciples want Him to explain the story.

Jesus explains,that the "message about the Kingdom" is the seed the farmer is sowing.  Jesus then  explains the 4 types of soils that this "Kingdom message" falls upon.
1.The hard packed path of the world
2.The rocky soil
3.The soil among the thorns
4.Good soil

Which soil are you?  Think about it.  My hope is that you hear the word...and put it into practice...now that is  "good soil."

Teacher, We Want to see a Miraculous Sign from You.

We really live in a time when sensationalism is king.  Who has the best show?..more spectacular than the rest?  Everyone seeks to watch the most entertainment...whether in sports, news or daily living ...it seems everyone wants to take in the really big show.

Well nothing has changed a lot.  In Jesus' day...they all clamoured around him to see his next miracle...begging for just one more. They were more interested in the miracle than the Miracle-maker.

Jesus rebuked them in Matthew 12:39  "a wicked and adulterous generation...asks for a miraculous sign."  Jesus could see right through to their hearts.  He knew they were not interested in repenting from their sins and following Him.  He also could tell that they were sight seeing...this was big entertainment for them.  They were looking for a story...an advantage...some selfish perks.

Today...we can still be "all about us"...but Jesus is still seeking those who will humble themselves....repent from their sins....put their faith in Jesus...and follow him with all their heart.

All You Who Are Weary and Burdened....

Jesus offers an invitation to all when He says in Matthew 11:28 , "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. "

I have noticed that most everyone I speak to these days...is really stressed out.(like this picture)  Now most of these people will try to give you the "I'm in control and doing just fine" attitude....but the longer you chat with them you find they are slap worn out.  The world and it's busyness has taken control of most of us....and we can't seem to find rest.

In the midst of all our pain and suffering and stress and tiredness ....Jesus gives us the good news in Matthew 11:29-30, "I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." 

I think Jesus is saying, I am not this gigantic, unapproachable, ogre-God that is calculating your performance to send you to Hell.  Rather...He is gentle and humble in heart.....approachable, kind, merciful...like a brother.  You can bring Him your troubles, your fears, your anxieties....because He loves you and cares about you.

So when we trust Jesus with our lives...we become yoked to Jesus..... we are locked onto him.  He leads us through life's "ups and downs".  He does the "heavy" pulling for us...but we are there with Him all the way. So when we are yoked to Jesus... the yoke we put on is easy.   Jesus takes most of the load of our burdens...He makes the burden...which he now calls "his" burden ...light.    Now that is very good news!!!!
(My load feels so much lighter when I am reminded of the truth of Jesus.)

Whoever Acknowledges me Before Men...

What does it mean to acknowledge someone?  It means to recognize them and who they are......

Jesus says that unless we acknowledge Him before men...He will not acknowledge us before the Father.  Now that is serious stuff!!!

 Have you acknowledged Jesus before men by leaving "your ways" behind? Have you acknowledge Jesus by saying "Jesus is Lord of my life"?  Have you acknowledged Jesus by following him with your life?  Have you acknowledge Him before men by introducing others to Jesus?????

What are other ways you can acknowledge Him before men?

But Go and Learn What This Means

Our title today comes from Matthew 9:13. 

When Jesus tells us to "go and learn what this means"....I think we should do just that.  The "Teacher"  commands us that this is very important for our lives...learn it.  It is almost like when the professor says..."listen up...this will be on the final exam."

And what was this all important lesson for our life? "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." At this point we don't even have to lift our hand and ask Jesus....."Why?"   Because Jesus gives us His reason for this command.   "For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

All during Jesus ministry He is emphasizing "faith"...Even though "rule-keeping" is not to be thrown out...Jesus is most concerned with the attitudes of our hearts. So as we go out into the harvest fields....we are not to be "referees of the rules"...but rather those who extend mercy (unmerited grace) to those we encounter.

Even the Winds and the Waves Obey Him

The disciples did not bargain on a furious storm at sea when they got in the boat to follow Jesus.

Many times we don't count the cost of following Jesus, either.

The waves were sweeping over the boat and they were in fear of drowning....and they called on Jesus.Why did He rebuke them with, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Did they not realize that He was the Christ...the Son of God?

After Jesus completely calmed the storm...they declared, "Even the Wind and Waves Obey Him."If you had been in the boat...would Jesus actions have convinced you that He was the Son of God?  Would the escape from the powerful storm increase your faith?  Jesus will take care of us when we follow Him.

And it Fell with a Great Crash

Jesus tells us how to build a life in Matthew 7. Basically He boils it down into 2 kinds of builders...one builder starts with a poor soil that will not support the foundation.  The second builder constructs his foundation on solid ground.  Jesus says that the building on shaky ground will collapse when the storms of life come through.

Jesus goes on to explain this story by saying that a poor builder is one who listens to His word...but does not put it into practice.

Want to build a life on Jesus Christ?  Be a doer of His word.

Seek First His Kingdom and His Righteousness

Jesus goes through several ways to conduct yourself in His Kingdom in Matthew 6.
1. When you help the needy, don't announce it. (V. 2)
2. When you pray...pray privately to your God not for public approval. (V.6)
3. If you expect for God to forgive you...you better be forgiving others!(V.15
4. When you fast...do it in secret.  (V.17)
5. Let your life-focus be on God...not on yourself or the world. (V.24)
6. Don't worry about food drink or clothing.(V.25)

Bottom Line: If you will focus your life on following God....He will take care of your needs.( V.33)