Devotions

The Son of Man Has Come

by  • 

Jesus as later attested to in Acts 10:36-38 “went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil”. He has departed Capernaum after healing the Centurion’s servant and came to Nain where a funeral procession was under way. Jesus stopped them, and told the young man to “get up” and he did. John is in prison now and sends his disciples to ask, “Are you the one?” Jesus responds my citing the miracles that are occurring. The people know that this can only be through the power of God. God the Father put His stamp of approval on Jesus when John Baptised Him and now is confirming who Jesus is with miraculous signs following. 

Young Man, I Say to You, Get Up!

Luke 7:11–17
Jesus had healed people that were following him in Luke 6 and then spoke to his disciples and followers in the sermon on the plain. His intent was to go from city to city with the gospel of the kingdom. He had healed the Centurion’s servant in Capernaum and was on the road to the next city, Nain. But here, he finds the widow woman’s son is dead. She has lost her husband and now her son. The people of the city are helping as best they can, bearing her grief as they walk with her, bearing her son to be buried. Jesus stopped the procession and in Luke 7:14 says, “Young Man, I Say to You, Get Up!” and the young man does. And in

Luke 7:16-17 And fear seized them all, and they began to glorify God, saying, “A great prophet has appeared among us!” and “God has visited to help his people!”
17 And this report about him went out in the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

 

The Blind Receive Sight, The Lame Walk, The Deaf Hear; Dead are Raised

Luke 7:18–26
John the Baptist has history with Jesus. He was conceived six months earlier and Mary, the mother of Jesus stayed with Elizabeth, the mother of John the last three months before John was born. But Joseph and May had taken Jesus to Egypt for his safety from Herod and when they returned they took residence in Nazareth. This was some time before Jesus was twelve years old because we read about Jesus staying behind after the went to Jerusalem for the feast. Well, the point here is that it seems the lives of John and Jesus had taken different directions.

John led a strict lifestyle like that of the Essenes and in the end lived in the wilderness eating locust and wild honey and “the consensus hypothesis holds that “John the Baptist may well have had some contact with the Qumran community and the Essenes … but if this was the case, he subsequently distanced himself from them” (Vanderkam and Flint, 332).1

John recognized Jesus as the one when he baptised him yet now has questions. Jesus answers by sending this message in Luke 7:22, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear; the dead are raised, the poor have good news announced to them. 23 And whoever is not offended by me is blessed.”

The Son of Man Has Come

Luke 7:27–35
Jesus then “began to speak to the crowds concerning John” in Luke 7:24-30 because John had an important message. Repent and be baptised and “his purpose was to awaken the Jewish people to the reality of the coming Messiah. John’s baptism was a “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4 ESV)2 And, Luke 7:27 is “A quotation of the prophecy of Mal 3:1 (see Matt 3:3 … )”3 

I Am Sending My Messenger

Matthew 11:10–19
This is the same account as that given in Luke 27-35. Here, Jesus makes this statement in Matthew 11:12-14″ the kingdom of heaven is treated violently, and the violent claim it. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is going to come”.

There are several proposed meanings for Matthew 11:12b. I prefer this, that “both statements are negative and reflect persecution inflicted by the kingdom’s opponents. God’s enemies will oppress His followers and not be judged until a future time of divine vindication”4 because I believe this is also in line with the future judgement found in Revelation. This understanding that “the kingdom of heaven is treated violently” matters because there are many that expected the Messiah would come and set his people free then and there. That was not God’s plan. His plan is for us to stand as is described in Ephesians 6:10-20.

Anointing With Perfumed Oil

Luke 7:36–40

Your Sins are Forgiven

Luke 7:41–50

And Many Others Who Were Helping to Support Them From Their Possessions

Luke 8:1–3

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Luke 7:11-50
  • Luke 8:1-3
  • Matthew 11:1-19

The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ – The Gospels

This series follows the order of readings from the Tyndale One Year Chronological Bible. Covering these events chronologically as they happened, gives a much different context and helps us understand the move of God as He is introducing the Saviour, the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. This series begins with Return To Me And I Will Return To You at the end of Malachi and introduces the “Witnesses” writing the Gospels.

Operation Exodus

is helping Jewish people return to their homeland. You might fund one that desires to go home. http://operationexodususa.org/Overview

National Day of Prayer

View the 2018 Highlight Video of National Observance of the National Day of Prayer in Washington, DC.

References

  • 1. Meyer, A. R. (2016). John the Baptist. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
  • 2. Espinoza, B. (2016). Baptism. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
  • 3. Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Lk 7:27). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
  • 4. Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Mt 11:12). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Devotions

Remove the Beam From Your Own Eye

by  • 

Jesus gave the sermon on the mount to his disciples and followers. Here in Luke 6 Jesus heals the people and then turns to his disciples and teaches them. Do not judge. Do not condemn. Remove the beam from your own eye. It is important for us to look at ourselves and get our relationship right with God. Let Him be the judge of other people. Give. And as He says, give and it will be given to you. First, we are to get our own minds right. 

Remove The Beam

Luke 6:37–42
Jesus begins by saying in Luke 6:37 “do not judge” his message is clear, what you do to others is what will be done to you. So instead of judging, condemning, casting a sentence on others, we should leave these things to God. And in Luke 6:38 he says “give, and it will be given you”. We can’t get better by judging and condemning others. We can get better by giving. And Jesus goes on step further in Luke 6:41-42 when he says “you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the beam of wood that is in your own eye”. There is an important principle here. The thing that irritates us most in other people may well be the one thing we need to deal with in ourselves. As he says in

Luke 6:42 (LEB) How are you able to say to your brother, “Brother, allow me to remove the speck that is in your eye,” while* you yourself do not see the beam of wood in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the beam of wood from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye!

 

Out of the Good Treasure of His Heart

Luke 6:43–46
Jesus not only makes the point that we, like trees, are known by our fruit, but connects this with what is in our hearts. This one phrase is widely quoted, from Luke 6:45 “out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks”. In our heart is what we believe, and that is what influences everything we think and then the words come out of our mouth. I like the way it is said in

Philippians 4:8 (LEB) Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are pleasing, whatever things are commendable, if there is any excellence of character and if anything praiseworthy, think about these things.

In fact, you might read the whole section there, Philippians 4:4-9. 

The One Who Hears My Words

Luke 6:47–49
Jesus makes a simple statement in Luke 6:47-49: Come to him, listen to his words, do them. It is so simple in concept, but in the world there are many voices. The voice of the world, the voice of our flesh, the voice of the devil, and the one that will never fail us, the voice of the Lord.

Luke 6:47–48 (LEB) “Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and does them—I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug and went down deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when* a flood came, the river burst against that house and was not able to shake it, because it had been built well.

The Centurion’s Servant

Luke 7:1-10
Matthew 8:5-13

Such Great Faith

Luke 7:1–10
Jews were not to go to Romans home

As You Have Believed

Matthew 8:5–13

Your Son Will Live

John 4:46–54
Romans 8:18 the glory revealed in us

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Luke 6:37-49
  • Luke 7:1-10
  • Matthew 8:5-13
  • John 4:46-54

The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ – The Gospels

This series follows the order of readings from the Tyndale One Year Chronological Bible. Covering these events chronologically as they happened, gives a much different context and helps us understand the move of God as He is introducing the Saviour, the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. This series begins with Return To Me And I Will Return To You at the end of Malachi and introduces the “Witnesses” writing the Gospels.

Operation Exodus

is helping Jewish people return to their homeland. You might fund one that desires to go home. http://operationexodususa.org/Overview

National Day of Prayer

View the 2018 Highlight Video of National Observance of the National Day of Prayer in Washington, DC.

Devotions

The One Who Does the Will of My Father

by  • 

Jesus gave us what we call the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5, 6, 7 and presents important instruction for his disciples, also important for us as his followers today. Luke records the calling of the twelve as apostles and then gives us this sermon on the plain. Here, Jesus is healing the sick, all of them. Then he turns to his disciples and repeats what we call the beatitudes, and then adds more instruction: Do the will of the Father. Hear my words and do them.

Enter Through the Narrow Gate

Matthew 7:13–14
There are many distractions in the world, many demands, many needs and they all consume your time. But there are few things in life that carry with them eternal value. Jesus also said this another way in

Mark 8:36–37 (LEB) For what does it benefit a person to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? 37 For what can a person give in exchange for his life?

And to add emphasis, here are a few related references1 for
vs 13: Proverbs 9:6. Isaiah 55:7. Ezekiel 18:27–32
vs 14: Isaiah 30:21; 35:8; 57:14. Jeremiah 6:16 

Every Good Tree Produces Good Fruit

Matthew 7:15–20
Jesus warns that there will be false prophets, these are people that claim to be Christians, the y claim to have God’s word for you, yet are out for their own gain. These are false leaders in the Church. And “The connection of thought with vv. 13–14 may well be that, like the false prophets in the Old Testament (Jer. 6:13–14; Ezek. 13:1–16)”.2

Jesus said we would know them by their fruit: Are they bringing people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? Are they raising disciples? Are mature believers going out from their ministry? Or are they teaching some other doctrine, as it says in

2 Peter 2:1–3 (LEB) But there were also false prophets among the people, as there will be false teachers among you also, who will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, thus bringing on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their licentious ways, because of whom the way of truth will be reviled. 3 And in greediness they will exploit you with false words, whose condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Lets not set aside the value of true prophecy though, “prophecy was an honoured gift (Acts 11:27–28; 21:9–11; 1 Cor. 12:10, 28; 14:1–3ff.; etc.)”2. 

The One Who Does the Will of My Father

Matthew 7:21–23
After Jesus cautions about false prophets, false teachers, false leaders, he turns to a caution about false followers. There is a simple test in Luke 6:21 “the one who does the will of my father”. And then there are those that always have a reason, who say God’s grace is sufficient, who continue in their own way. To these, Jesus will say, from Luke 6:23 “depart from me, you who practice lawlessness”.

There is a righteous and holy life that God has for us to live and he will lead us into it: John 10:14, 27–30, 2 Timothy 2:191

A Wise Man Who Built His House

Matthew 7:24–27
Jesus now reinforces this concept of “doing the will of my Father” by saying in Luke 6:24 “everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man”. It is by hearing His words and doing what He says that we are able to stand against the adversity in this world. We have had recent evidence that hurricanes are not selective about their path. But the son of God, the man and woman that know Jesus Christ will speak to the storm. This wise man, will still be standing.

Matthew 8:26 (LEB) And he said to them, “Why are you fearful, you of little faith?” Then he got up and* rebuked the winds and the sea and there was a great calm.

Like One Who Had Authority

Matthew 7:28–29
Some of this message, that we call the sermon on the mount, was new information to some of these followers in the crowd. Jesus wasn’t talking like the scribes who may have offered this ones opinion or that ones ideas or the wisdom from the books of the oral or written tradition. Instead, “he (Jesus) was teaching them like one who had authority”. 

The Sermon on the Plain

Luke 6:17–23
There are many that believe this is simply Luke’s account of the sermon on the mount from Matthew 5, 6, 7. There are similarities in the message. However, Jesus went from city to city and shared the gospel of the kingdom. Since “we know that our Lord delivered some of His weightiest sayings more than once, there is no difficulty in supposing this to be one of His more extended repetitions”3

At the introduction in Luke 6:17 they “stood on a level place, and a large crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people” were there. This is different from Matthew’s account and Luke goes on in Luke 6:18-9 they “came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases, and … power was going out from him and healing them all”.

After this, in Luke 6:20 “he (Jesus) lifted up his eyes to his disciples and said”. Jesus begins speaking to his disciples. Note that he had just chosen twelve of his disciples and called them apostles in

Luke 6:13 (LEB) And when day came, he summoned his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he also named apostles

And, here in Luke 6:20 he is talking to his disciples. This is not just to the twelve apostles, and it seems he is not generally addressing the crowd. This is a message for Jesus followers, his disciples.

Woe To You

Luke 6:24–26

Be Merciful

Luke 6:27–36
Love your enemies

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Matthew 7:13-29
  • Luke 6:17-36

The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ – The Gospels

This series follows the order of readings from the Tyndale One Year Chronological Bible. Covering these events chronologically as they happened, gives a much different context and helps us understand the move of God as He is introducing the Saviour, the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. This series begins with Return To Me And I Will Return To You at the end of Malachi and introduces the “Witnesses” writing the Gospels.

Operation Exodus

is helping Jewish people return to their homeland. You might fund one that desires to go home. http://operationexodususa.org/Overview

National Day of Prayer

View the 2018 Highlight Video of National Observance of the National Day of Prayer in Washington, DC.

References

  • 1. Blayney, B., Scott, T., & Torrey, R. A. with Canne, J., Browne. (n.d.). The Treasury of Scripture knowledge (Vol. 2, p. 5). London: Samuel Bagster and Sons.
  • 2. France, R. T. (1985). Matthew: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 1, p. 151). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
  • 3. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 104). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Devotions

Your Father Who Sees in Secret

by  • 

Jesus continues teaching his disciples and followers with what is known as the sermon on the mount. It begins in Matthew 5 and continues through the end of Matthew 7. In this section, Jesus teaches them how to pray. And, yes, this is where Jesus gives us what is known as “the Lord’s Prayer”, but Jesus first say, pray in secret, behind closed doors. Prayer is a personal dialog with the Father. There are times for corporate prayer as a Church body or as a community or even nation as we in the United States annually on the first Thursday of May have a national day of prayer. Then Jesus goes on to fasting and … these are the topics for believers, followers of Christ, disciples. 

Shut Your Door and Pray

Matthew 6:5–8
Did it ever occur to you that there is a reward for prayer? And there are two ways to be rewarded. That is what Jesus said in Matthew 6:5-6 “whenever you pray” is how he starts.

  • Then he says, “they love to stand and pray … in order that they may be seen by people”. For these he says, “they have received their reward in full!” and it is the praise of men.
  • He also says, “pray to your Father who is in secret”. When you do this, he says, “Your father who sees in secret will reward you”.

But in this short introduction, Jesus doesn’t say anything about the content of the prayer or the answer to the prayer. His first and foremost distinction is that “The essence of prayer is the communion of the disciple with his Father”1 And it might be enough simply to be in God’s presence because as it says in

Psalm 16:11 (LEB) You will make known to me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. At your right hand are pleasures forever.

Jesus doesn’t say what the reward is, but that the Father “will reward you” which may also mean to pay back, to render what is due, to cause to happen.

Now, at the end, Jesus gives us a glimpses of the content of the prayer he is speaking about in Matthew 6:8 “your Father knows what you need before you ask”. So, these prayers are for our needs. And our Father wants us to ask him and when we do, Jesus says He will reward us, He will answer us as He said in

Jeremiah 33:3 (LEB) ‘Call to me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great things and inaccessible things that you have not known.’

Prayer is not an activity to undertake lightly. Prayer is spiritual warfare as described in Ephesians 6:10-20.

Ephesians 6:18 (LEB) with all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the Spirit, and to this end being alert with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,

 

Pray In This Way

Matthew 6:9–15
Many people have heard the Lord’s prayer and this is it in Matthew 6:9-15. It is a simple prayer that covers the needs of our life right now and for today. It begins though, by acknowledging that God is Holy, it honors God for who He is. Then there is a request for God’s kingdom on earth. And if you haven’t noticed, God’s Kingdom is in heaven and the earth has not yet been subdued. This is the place where spiritual warfare takes place. Then there are the three things we need, our daily bread, forgiveness, and protection as he say, deliverance from evil. 

Your Father Who Sees in Secret

Matthew 6:16–18
Next, Jesus speaks about fasting. Not, in Matthew 6:16 “like the hypocrites … that they may be seen fasting by people”. Jesus says in Matthew 6:17-18 “when you are fasting” do it “to your father who is in secret, and you Father … will reward you”. These statements could easily be from

Isaiah 58:5 (LEB) Is the fast I choose like this, a day for humankind to humiliate himself? To bow his head like a reed, and make his bed on sackcloth and ashes; you call this a fast and a day of pleasure to Yahweh?

And the fast in secret is the works of feeding the poor, taking in the homeless as it continues here

Isaiah 58:6–9 (LEB) Is this not the fast I choose: to release the bonds of injustice, to untie the ropes of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and tear every yoke to pieces? 7 Is it not to break your bread for the hungry? You must bring ⌊home⌋ the poor, the homeless. When you see the naked, you must cover him, and you must not hide yourself from your relatives. 8 Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall grow quickly. And your salvation shall go before you; the glory of Yahweh will be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and Yahweh himself will answer. You shall cry for help, and he will say, ‘Here I am!’ If you remove from among you the yoke, the finger-pointing and evil speech,

Store Up for Yourselves Treasures in Heaven

Matthew 6:19–24

Do Not Be Anxious

Matthew 6:25–34

Do Not Judge

Matthew 7:1–6

Ask, Seek, Knock

Matthew 7:7–12

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Matthew 6:5-34
  • Matthew 7:1-12

The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ – The Gospels

This series follows the order of readings from the Tyndale One Year Chronological Bible. Covering these events chronologically as they happened, gives a much different context and helps us understand the move of God as He is introducing the Saviour, the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. This series begins with Return To Me And I Will Return To You at the end of Malachi and introduces the “Witnesses” writing the Gospels.

Operation Exodus

is helping Jewish people return to their homeland. You might fund one that desires to go home. http://operationexodususa.org/Overview

References

  • 1. France, R. T. (1985). Matthew: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 1, p. 137). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Devotions

Great in the Kingdom of Heaven

by  • 

Jesus is teaching his followers here. We read in Matthew 5:1-2 “he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain and after he sat down, his disciples approached him. 2 And opening his mouth he began to teach them”. Yes, there well may have been sick and demon possessed in the crowd, but that isn’t mentioned here. In fact, healing isn’t mentioned until after this message. And, there may well have been scribes and Pharisees or others in the crowd, but again, they aren’t mentioned here.This message isn’t spoken to those in opposition, it is spoken to His disciples to teach them how to handle opposition. Jesus goes beyond the law that explains what behavior is illegal, and punishable. He goes beyond that to talk about our thoughts. What is our intent? What are we thinking. We must bring every thought captive. 

You Are The Salt of the Earth

Matthew 5:13–16
Jesus uses two very familiar analogies, things everyone is familiar with, as he describes who “you are”. The “you are” refers to his disciples and followers. Jesus is not addressing the needy crowd to be healed or fed.

  • He first compares them to salt. We all enjoy salt as a seasoning in our food. And if you have ever been on a salt free or salt restricted diet you will understand the point that Jesus is making in Matthew 5:13. And here is the point, a little salt seasons the whole pot, the whole dish. Who we are changes the whole environment around us, if we are the salt He intends us to be.
  • Second, He compares us to light. Most of us have electricity and strong and bright light bulbs, maybe several in each room so that even at night, the whole room is illuminated. They didn’t have electricity. They had oil lamps, and candles, but you understand that in a dark room, that small light source makes all the difference between seeing and being in the dark. Jesus says, in Matthew 5:14-16 “let your light shine”, “on top of a hill”, “on a lampstand”, not so they see you, but “so they can see your good works and glorify your Father”. When we are living the Christian life, there is something different in us. It may not be blinding light, but it is bright enough for people to notice.

 

Great in the Kingdom of Heaven

Matthew 5:17–20
Jesus teaches them about the importance of the Law and the Prophets. He had turned over the tables of the money changers, He had healed on the Sabbath, His disciples took grain from the field to eat on the Sabbath, and there were those challenging his authority and methods accusing Him of breaking the Law of Moses. Jesus sets the record straight in

Matthew 5:17 (LEB) “Do not think that I have come to destroy the law or the prophets. I have not come to destroy them but to fulfill them”.

It is by this law that He can be the sacrifice for sin. Righteousness must be fulfilled and it is fulfilled through Him. This doctrine, this fulfillment of the word of the prophets, is one of the most misunderstood concepts. It is not by our keeping the law that we are saved. It was by his keeping the law that He was able to be the sacrifice for us. And by that sacrifice, He opened the way for God’s grace by faith.

Ephesians 2:8–9 (LEB) For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast.

Romans 5:1–2 (LEB) Therefore, because we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

Read Revelation 5, the fulfillment of what Jesus did through His life on the earth.

First Go Be Reconciled to Your Brother

Matthew 5:21–26
Many people recite commandments, as Jesus says in Matthew 5:21 and He begins here to push back from the act and addresses the thoughts that have led to the act. There are things we do as reflexive action, pulling our hand away from a fire for example, but here, Jesus is talking about our thought life. He is exposing the thoughts that build in our minds and lead to an action. We say and do things that we shouldn’t. We say and do things that hurt other people. Jesus is saying, in Matthew 5:21-26 that we, as His followers, should take the initiative when we remember, when we realize, that someone has something against us. He says, “be reconciled”. We can’t control other peoples reactions or their feelings, but we can offer an apology, we can ask them to forgive us if we have hurt them. How can we have a clear conscience before God if we have a bad relationship nagging us?

In His Heart

Matthew 5:27–32
Here, Jesus teaches about another “Do Not”, saying and again is trying to go beyond the external behavior to address the thoughts that result in that behavior. Divorce is the end behavior that begins with, well, in

Matthew 5:27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery'”

Then He says in

Matthew 5:28 (LEB) But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

This is another are where many struggle so please read this carefully. Jesus doesn’t say a man should not look at a woman (or that a woman should not look at a man for that matter). What He says is, not to look with lust for her. There are many right relationships between a man and a woman, father to daughter, mother to son, brother to sister, friend to friend. But there is only one relationship that is appropriate as a sexual one and that is husband and wife.

Fulfill Your Oaths to the Lord

Matthew 5:33–37

Go With Him Two

Matthew 5:38–42 

Pray for Those Who Persecute You

Matthew 5:43–48
Again in Matthew 5:43 Jesus uses the phrase, “you have heard that it was said”. Here, the saying was “Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’” But that isn’t the nature of God. Jesus shows us who God is in Matthew 5:45 “he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust”. Anyone can like those that like you and as Jesus says in Matthew 5:47 “Do not the gentiles also?”. But He tells us in Matthew 5:48 to “be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect”. In this we should follow our heavenly father, love even those that are our enemies. Love even those that persecute us.

Your Father Who Sees in Secret Will Reward You

Matthew 6:1–4

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Matthew 5:13-48
  • Matthew 6:1-4

The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ – The Gospels

This series follows the order of readings from the Tyndale One Year Chronological Bible. Covering these events chronologically as they happened, gives a much different context and helps us understand the move of God as He is introducing the Saviour, the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. This series begins with Return To Me And I Will Return To You at the end of Malachi and introduces the “Witnesses” writing the Gospels.

Operation Exodus

is helping Jewish people return to their homeland. You might fund one that desires to go home. http://operationexodususa.org/Overview

Devotions

Is It Permitted On the Sabbath To Do Good or To Do Evil

by  • 

The Pharisees were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus and brought a man with a withered hand for Jesus to heal on the Sabbath. Jesus intentionally broke their Sabbath tradition and they sought to destroy him. But Jesus went his way and “a great crowd followed him” and he healed them all. Then Jesus appoints twelve apostles to be with him, to go and preach, and he gave them authority over demons. The crowds are so large that Jesus teaches them on the mountain side.

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

Mark 3:1-6
Matthew 12:9-14
Luke 6:6-11

They Were Watching Him Closely to See

Mark 3:1–6
In Mark 3:1 “he entered the synagogue again”. Jesus had been teaching in the synagogues and in the house in Capernaum. He had cast the devil out in the synagogue. He healed the paralytic in the House. And, now he is healing the mans withered hand. Since he returned from Jerusalem, the scribes and Pharisees had been paying attention to his actions and in Luke 5:17 they “had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem”. Now, back in the synagogue, on the sabbath, in

Mark 3:2 (LEB) And they were watching him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath, in order that they could accuse him.

 

Is it Permitted to Heal on the Sabbath?

Matthew 12:9–14
In the account from Matthew 12:10 we find that this is not just a man that happened to be in the synagogue that needed healing. They staged this man to be able to accuse Jesus of breaking the Sabbath and “He (Jesus) deliberately and publicly broke the Sabbath law; and the result was a conference of the orthodox leaders to search out a way to eliminate him”.1 As we see in

Matthew 12:14 (LEB) But the Pharisees went out ⌊and plotted⌋ against him in order that they could destroy him.

No matter to them that this man was made whole in

Matthew 12:13 (LEB) Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand,” and he stretched it* out, and it was restored as healthy as the other one.

They Were Filled With Fury

Luke 6:6–11
Luke gives us very much the same account as we find in Mark and Matthew but in this account we find that Jesus made a little more of a public spectacle in Luke 6:8-10 by placing the man with the withered hand “in the middle” so all could see, and “his hand was restored”.

A Great Crowd Followed Him

Mark 3:7-12
Matthew 12:15-21 

A Great Crowd Came to Him

Mark 3:7–12
Mark 3:7-8 tells us the crowd was not just local people from Galilee but they were also “And from Judea and from Jerusalem and from Idumea and the other side of the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon … because they heard all that he was doing”. And again in Mark 3:9 they prepared “a small boat … so that they would not press upon him”. This was all because in

Mark 3:10–11 (LEB) For he had healed many, so that all those who ⌊were suffering from diseases⌋ pressed about him in order that they could touch him. 11 And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, were falling down before him and crying out, saying, “You are the Son of God!”

In His Name the Gentiles Will Hope

Matthew 12:15–21
Mark tells us that Jesus went away after healing the withered hand in the synagogue, but here in Matthew 12:15 we learn that Jesus left because he learned of the plot against him by the Pharisees in Matthew 12:14. Matthews account simply tells us “many followed” Mark gives more detail about the crowd. Matthew is very brief about the crowds and the healings but goes on to give us a prophetic word from Isaiah 42:1-4. 

He (Jesus) Appointed Twelve

Mark 3:13-19
Luke 6:12-16

Mark 3:14 says that Jesus did this “so that they would be with him” and there are accounts where Jesus needed their assistance in dealing with the crowds of people. This appointment came with delegation of authority and mission.

So That He Could Send Them Out To Preach

Mark 3:13–19
Jesus appointed them so, in Mark 14-15 “he could sent them out to preach and to have authority to expel demons”. Also note in Mark 3:19 that Judas was among them and received the same appointment.

These short verses give us great insight into Jesus method of development for these men. He didn’t pre-judge them but gave them full access, even Judas. He was clear about the purpose they were appointed to “Jesus called them to him for two purposes. First, he called them to be with him. He called them to be his steady and consistent companions … Second, he called them to send them out. He wanted them to be his representatives”.2

And, they were equipped with what they needed to accomplish the task “Jesus equipped them with two things. First, he gave them a message. They were to be his heralds … Second, he gave them a power. They were also to cast out demons”.3

Whom He Also Named Apostles

Luke 6:12–16
Luke 6:12 tells us that Jesus “was spending the whole night in prayer to God” and then in Luke 6:13 “he summoned his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he also named apostles”. Jesus made these selections after prayer as these would become his ambassadors. But Luke does not describe their role or function. This is a new term for the Church but not a foreign concept for Jesus and the disciples. They understood that “The Greek word apostolos means someone who is sent out. It can be used for an envoy or an ambassador. They were to be his ambassadors”.4

See “Ezra 7:14; Dan 5:24; 2 Chr 17:7–9 … Christianity, therefore, appears to have picked a secular term and made it into a specific office and title.”5

Teaching, Preaching, and Healing Every Disease

Matthew 4:23–25
Jesus was, in Matthew 4:23 “teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and every sickness among the people”. And in Matthew 4:24 “a report about him went out … they brought to him all those who were sick … and he healed them”. Then in Matthew 4:25 again, “large crowds followed him” and now they are also from Decapolis and “from the other side of the Jordan”.

The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5:1–12
This famous passage begins when in Matthew 5:1 “he saw the crowds”. Jesus had been teaching, preaching and healing in the synagogue, but the word of healing was spreading and more and more people came. Jesus realized they could not be accommodated in the synagogue so “he went up the mountain”.

Then, Jesus did not begin healing, instead, he began teaching. But his teaching wasn’t about some future blessing, a prize that would be awarded later. The significance of the form of the beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12 is lost on us because “Jesus did not speak the beatitudes in Greek; he spoke them in Aramaic, which was the kind of Hebrew people spoke in his day. Aramaic and Hebrew have a very common kind of expression, which is in fact an exclamation … The beatitudes are not simple statements; they are exclamations: ‘O the blessedness of the poor in spirit!’”6

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Matthew 4:23-25
  • Matthew 5:1-12
  • Matthew 12:9-21
  • Mark 3:1–19
  • Luke 6:6-16

The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ – The Gospels

This series follows the order of readings from the Tyndale One Year Chronological Bible. Covering these events chronologically as they happened, gives a much different context and helps us understand the move of God as He is introducing the Saviour, the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. This series begins with Return To Me And I Will Return To You at the end of Malachi and introduces the “Witnesses” writing the Gospels.

Operation Exodus

is helping Jewish people return to their homeland. You might fund one that desires to go home. http://operationexodususa.org/Overview

References

  • 1. Barclay, W. (2001). The Gospel of Matthew (Third Ed., p. 32). Edinburgh: Saint Andrew Press.
  • 2. Barclay, W. (2001). The New Daily Study Bible: The Gospel of Mark (p. 85). Edinburgh: Saint Andrew Press.
  • 3. Barclay, W. (2001). The New Daily Study Bible: The Gospel of Mark (p. 86). Edinburgh: Saint Andrew Press.
  • 4. Barclay, W. (2001). The Gospel of Luke (p. 89). Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press.
  • 5. Betz, H. D. (1992). Apostle. In D. N. Freedman (Ed.), The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (Vol. 1, p. 309). New York: Doubleday.
  • 6. Barclay, W. (2001). The Gospel of Matthew (Third Ed.). Edinburgh: Saint Andrew Press.