Category: Good Life Journal

Scripture:  And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.  And behold:

 

• The curtain of the temple was torn in two—from top to bottom;
• And the earth shook, and the rocks were split;
• The tombs also were opened, and;
• Many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and;
• Coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

 

When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earth quake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God.”  Matt 27:50-54

 

Observation:  Again, I read right through this section of scripture to get to the Tomb. What power and mysterious awesomeness I miss by not paying attention.

 

Application:   I end up missing so much when I think I know the Story.

 

I have a habit of speed reading.  I developed this skill in my youth.  I glance over the text to get the gist or flavor of what the writer is saying, only going back if I think I must in order to gain understanding.  This really works in reading fiction or prose; not so much in reading non-fiction.

 

It’s probably good that the Scriptures aren’t exactly books that I can read once, put it on a shelf, and grab another to continue my book count.  Even so, the Scriptures can take years and years to absorb the nuances and tidy bits of information that broadens out my understanding of the Gospel.

 

I wrote the above reference, broken down like an outline so I could separate the facts of the Crucifixion.   If this was a news story, there would be TV teams assigned all around, reporting on what was happening.

 

Some would be reporting on the seismic occurrences; others on the vandalism at the Temple without any apparent suspects. Then the creepy situation at the local cemetery where tombs were found disturbed and opened with eerie and unbelievable sightings of supposedly dead people walking around—these were reported with concise detail throughout the Holy city…

 

All after a local preacher was assassinated at Golgotha.

 

I wish I wasn’t so hard hearted.

Prayer:  You, O Lord, deserved to be lauded and worshipped—forever and ever.  All my days let Your song be in my mouth, my eyes filled with Your wonder, my mind increasing in amazement of what the Gospel really, really means.  Open my heart Lord to receive amazement.  AMEN.

Scripture

 

Vs 14 Jesus gave Pilate no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

 

Vs 15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. ¹⁶ And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.

 

Vs 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”

Vs 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.

 

Vs 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus

 

Vs 24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd …

 

Observation

 

The religious leaders took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor, to have him killed.

The religious leaders also “persuaded the crowd” to pressure Pilate.

Pilate accommodated and acquiesced by “releasing to the crowd” Barabbas and sentencing Jesus to death.

While this greatest travesty of injustice took place, Jesus “gave no answer” and Pilate “was amazed”.

 

Application

 

While the story of Jesus’ prosecution and crucifixion is often told, what strikes me today are the motivations of the parties involved.

The religious leaders were motivated “out of envy” to “destroy” Jesus.

And when Pilate “could gain nothing”, he was entirely willing to have a person killed to quell a potential riot.

Both were entirely motivated by self-interests

 

And the word “notorious” stand out to me in the description of Barabbas.

The crowd was easily persuaded to cry out for this “notorious” person.

They wanted to be near to power.

 

The religious leaders and the Roman leaders were motivated by threats to their power.

The crowd wanted to embrace a “notorious” power.

Interestingly, it was the religiously powerful that had the most persuasive power.

Pilate “washed his hands before the crowd” and allowed an innocent man to die.

The crowd also was “persuaded” to destroy Jesus.

 

The religious leaders were doing the most persuading, and they were motivated by “envy”.

What a terribly consequential trifecta: “religion”, “leadership”, and “envy”

 

The only silent in this was also the only one with true power … Jesus.

And in response to this silence, Pilate was … “greatly amazed”.

Prayer

 

Gog, thank you for your Word.

Help me to be “greatly amazed” by it more than anything!

Strike any hint of envy from me immediately

May any persuasive I am a part of lead to others being greatly amazed by You!

Help me to know when to be silent and when to persuade

In Jesus name

Amen

Scripture:

[63] But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” [64] Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” [65] Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. [66] What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” [67] Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, [68] saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”

Observation:

v. 64 “..from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
In this single statement Jesus tells Caiaphas:
– What am about to say is imminent
– That he may be high priest, but he has no power to judge Jesus.  Jesus is Lord of all and will be sitting soon at the right hand of God the Father.
– That He is will be coming back soon after that – the second coming of Christ.

v. 65 – The high priest was not at all an impartial judge – he knew that he wanted Jesus killed before the “trial” even started.  He would never accept Jesus as Messiah, the Son of God.

Mockers – v. 67, 68
There were plenty of scoffers but as we all know.. it will not end well for them.

Application:

Let us never set our earthly desires before Jesus.  Let us never let our ego get so big that we think we can make it without Him.  Pride is a deadly sin.  Only through His grace do we have anything at all, including the breath in our lungs.  If we think we can do anything without Him we are trivializing what He has done for us.  We are then no better than Caiaphas in thinking that we are fit to judge Him – we an do it without Him.

As we move forward in the last days, we know Jesus’ second coming is imminent.  While some things may happen before He returns, it is not necessary that anything happen be fore He returns.  We should always be ready.  When He comes it will be sudden and it will be instantaneous.

Beware of the scoffers.  While we may be able to help them, to convince them they are marching straight for an eternity apart from God, and really much worse, don’t for a second get swayed or caught in their mockery.  How terrible would that be if we were caught somehow mocking the Lord, maybe to fit in with someone somewhere, when suddenly the Lord appeared to gather the saints?

Prayer:

Lord I love You.  I owe everything to You.  I can’t live life without You.  I am thankful for Your continued grace and mercy day after day.  Thank You for Your promise of spending eternity with You.  In Your holy name I pray. Amen.

Scripture:  Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and game it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”  And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for the forgiveness of sins.

 

I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”  Matt 26:26-29

 

Observation:  I am so used to this passage about Communion that I tend to read right through it.  I don’t pause, reflect, and ponder on the enormity of what is being communicated right…Here…

 

Application:   Here’s a stupid and irreverent thought: I wonder why all the stories are about the Holy Grail (the Cup) and none about the Holy Bread Tray?  Dumb, huh?

 

This kind of thought is indicative of what my heart is like concerning this passage of Scripture.

 

In reviewing this with my wife this morning I am struck on how I have made this section of Scripture a cliché’…I can immediately fill in the words; they roll off my tongue: “Take, eat, do this in remembrance of Me.  Take, drink, do this in remembrance of Me.”

 

And then I forget and go on to the next thing on the order of worship…

 

Why do I default to this being a cliché’?

 

Like what is seen in the next section of Matt 26, the disciples go up to Gethsemane, are asked to keep watch and pray AND three guys are selected out to go with Jesus further—asked to watch and pray even after Jesus bears his heart in confession AND…after what may have been a good 5-10 minutes of prayer, fell asleep.

 

The disciples fail to grasp the enormity of what is going on right now especially the three main guys: Peter, James, and John.

 

Why do I default to communion being a cliché’?  It is because I regularly fail to grasp the enormity of what is going on…because I regularly don’t…pay…. attention.

 

My confession this morning.

 

Prayer:   Lord God: One of the characteristics that you desire for me to develop is the reflexive skill of praying all the time…praying without ceasing. Seems impossible although I know it is not.  One of the obstacles that I encounter is this world I live in…and especially vacation and holidays…they distract.

Help me keep my mind steady on you.  AMEN.

Matthew 25:40 – And the King will answer them , “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did did it to me.

Observation-
Jesus is teaching about his return, use of His resources and the final judgement. The life of a follower of Christ is marked by service and help to those less fortunate and needy. When we feed, give drink, clothe, welcome or visit those in need, Jesus tells us that we are doing it to Him. Conversely, when we don’t serve, help or visit those less fortunate we did not do it to Jesus.

Application-

The final judgement is coming, although we don’t know the exact time. We need to be always be prepared and ready. Jesus will separate His sheep from the goats with eternal consequences. As a follower of Christ, I am saved by grace and faith, but the Spirit should burden me to help, serve those less fortunate than I am. I can’t claim to be a follower of Jesus and ignore those in need. Jesus is very clear, the two paths both lead to eternal destinies. One of service for the Kingdom and eternal life, the other denial and eternal punishment.

Prayer –
Thank you for the truth in your word and sending Jesus to pay for our sin so we can have a relationship with you. Let me be not only a hearer of the word, but a doer of the word to serve others less fortunate to make you known.

Scripture:  And again, Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son and sent he servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast…but they would not come.

 

Again, he sent other servants saying “Tell those who are invited ‘See?  I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered and everything is ready.  Come to the wedding feast.’”  But they paid no attention and went off—one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest of them seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.

 

The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

 

Then he said to his servants: “The wedding feast is ready but those who were invited were not worthy.  Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many you find” ….(good and bad) the wedding hall was filled with guests.

 

But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw a man who had no wedding garment.  And he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?”  And he was speechless.

 

Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness…

 

For many are called but few are chosen.” (excerpts from Matt 22:1-14)

 

Observation:   Every parable has a lesson containing at least one principle to take along. Many have more than one.  It is a mistake to latch on to the principle that appeals most to ignoring the others—even if I respond like the disciples, “When are you going to speak in plain language, Lord?  These are tough to think through….”

 

Application:   It is unmistakable that this story contains more than one thought about evangelism.

 

It also contains a shorthand version of the Gospel plan and progression.

 

• Wedding feast for the Son.
• King invites:
  • Generally, Israel.  They would not come.
  • Specifically, Israel.  How?  Through the prophets, who some ignored for other pastimes, and the rest killed the prophets.
  • Then the world (Gentiles)—good folk and bad.

 

Then the parable indicates that the last group (Gentiles) favorably responds but with a distinction: “How did you get in here without a wedding garment?”

 

The invite went out by many.  Many, in turn, responded and came to the house where the wedding feast was being held.  Upon review by the King, at least one was expelled because he wasn’t dressed in wedding garments, that is, not dressed appropriately to be in the presence of the King and the Bridegroom.

 

I think the point to take away is that, as a servant, I have a responsibility to invite to the wedding feast.  Whether an invitee is acceptable or not is not in my sphere of responsibility or even my ability to discern or evaluate—only the King has that.

 

When I try to prequalify, I do wrong.

 

However, I need to be aware that as a servant I am sent.  Sometimes specifically sent to some and not to others.  The Spirit told Paul to bypass Macedonia for instance and go to the next place. Jonah wanted to bypass Nineveh, but God “convinced” Jonah to obey.

 

Point?  I need to surrender daily to the whisper of the Spirit so I can be, not a scattershot, but pinpointing as much as I am directively aware when it comes to evangelism.  How?  Pay attention to learning as much about the Gospel in its entirety as I can.

 

Prayer:  Lord God, You know that I struggle with scattershot evangelism for the sake of “notches in the spine of my Bible.”  Sometimes it appears evangelism takes centerstage while making disciples are not—even to the point of letting new “converts” fend for themselves.  I want to hear your voice, O Lord.  Guide my feet to be a worthy servant of Yours; of the Gospel.  AMEN.

Scripture

Vs 4 (Jesus sent two disciples) … to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet …

Vs 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them.

 

Vs 13 Jesus said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’

 

Vs 16 And Jesus said to them, “… have you never read …”

 

Vs 26 (The chief priests and the elders) were afraid of the crowd …

 

Vs 42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures …

‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone”

 

Vs 43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.

 

Observation

Much is happening in Matthew 21, from Jesus entering Jerusalem, to Jesus overturning the temple tables, to the chief priests threatening and questioning the authority of Jesus.

What stands out to me today throughout this chapter is the motivating factor behind each of the major players here.

What motivated each was one of three things: Scripture, the words of Jesus, and fear

 

Jesus consistently acted and interacted with others through the Scripture …

“to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet”

“it is written”

“have you never read”

“have you never read in Scripture”

 

The disciples were motivated by the words of Jesus …

“the disciples did as Jesus directed them”

 

The chief priests and elders were motivated by fear …

“the elders were afraid of the crowd”

 

Application

I will have a motivation behind my actions.

How I live my life will not simply be from independent thoughts in my head.

I will have something else prompting me”

The Word of God … or … The fear of man!

 

The Word of God can lead to direct action … “The disciples did as Jesus directed them.”

The fear of man will lead to constant equivocating. … “If I do this, then what is he going to say? If I do that, then what are they going to think?”

 

So what generally fills my days? … Direct action or equivocation?

I’m often thought of as a “nice” guy. … This sound fine, but I increasingly don’t think of this as particularly virtuous.

“Peaceful” or “Gentle” or “Kind” or “Patient” or “Self-controlled” … Absolutely!

They can each seem somewhat synonymous with “nice”, until you consider their source.

They are all produced the Holy Spirit. They are spiritual fruit.

But “nice” … this can often be motivated by fear of man, and actually create a hesitancy in living out the Word of God.

And this is ultimately anything but nice.

 

At the end of this chapter, Jesus gives a stern warning.

He says who the Kingdom of God will be taken from and given to.

It will be taken from those who reject the cornerstone of the Word of God, Jesus.

It will be given to those who produce fruit.

 

Prayer

Thank you, God, for your Word

Help me to follow it directly

Show me, Holy Spirit, where I am fearing man

Give me courage to speak and act in accordance with Your Word

In Jesus name

Amen

Scripture: “And behold, a man came up to him, saying, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’  And (Jesus) said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good?  There is only one who is good.  If you would enter life, keep the commandments.’”  Matt 19:16-17

 

Observation:  Isn’t that just like people?  Trying to reduce heaven to a calculation of what can be gotten away with?  “Eternal life” isn’t a medal to be awarded for valiant behavior…

 

Application:  Matthew 19 seems to be a bunch of little snippets of handing around Jesus.

 

Reading this a few times I think I see that the Man is not getting any rest at all—everywhere He goes crowds follow.  Big crowds, little crowds—and He is handling it all with exemplarily patience.  The only clue of Jesus being testy in any way comes from this interaction.

 

“Excuse me, Teacher: I have a question.

“Ok, shoot.”

“I do pretty good generally speaking but—what is the “One Big Thing” I need to do to go to heaven?”

“Really?  You are asking me this?”

 

I can read this and maybe imagine a tinge of irritation in the narrative by Jesus.  However, he answers the fellow succinctly: “Follow all the commandments.”  “I have since I was a little tyke.”  “Ok, tell you what—sell all you have and follow me…”

 

Oops—that isn’t what he wanted to hear.

 

Do I think I can act good enough to DESERVE eternal life?  That has been the question ever since the serpent slithered a doubt in Eve’s ear and Adam’s fateful decision—I want to DESERVE eternal life all by myself with my own measurement of needed Grace—to convince God I deserve mercy by my actions.

 

The most difficult obstacle that Man has to overcome is the understanding that compared to God’s Holiness there isn’t a single micron of good that Man has that has merciful appeal—“No one does good, no, not even one.” (Ro 3:12)

 

What about this guy?  He says that he has kept all the Commandments from his youth.  Really?  I don’t have to think, observe, look in the mirror far to say “Yeah, right—I believe that.”  I can’t go a morning without breaking a commandment somehow, someway.  No one can.

 

It is very fair to say about Mankind that, considering God’s Holiness, without a change Mankind does not deserve heaven.  In fact, according to God’s Justice, the resulting destination of Man can only be hell.  Them’s the facts.

 

Do I need to understand that Jesus bled and died to pay for my sin, to be the payment of God’s justice that I deserve?  Do need to understand that I do not DESERVE mercy?

 

God gives me mercy, not because I deserve it (which I don’t) but because of His mysterious love for me.

Prayer:   Every time I review any part of the Gospel, Lord, I am stricken with awe.  “Why would you the Pure give your life for the vile, the Innocent seeking the guilty to be reconciled?

 

I can’t comprehend this fathomless love, I ‘m gripped and amazed at what You have done.  What would the Adored become the despised, to bear all the furious Wrath that was mine?”  AMEN and AMEN, O God.  AMEN.

 

Scripture

Matthew 18:34 – 35 – “And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.  So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Observation

These are the last verses Jesus tells the disciples in the parable of the unforgiving servant.  The master forgives the servant of a debt so large that he can never repay and gives him freedom.  The servant receives payment of the debt from his master and promptly goes out and chokes out a fellow servant has him thrown in prison for a minor debt he is owed.  If we don’t forgive others, not just in speak, but from the heart, we will not be forgiven by the Father.

Application

This parable greatly illustrates our need to recognize and our dependence on our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Through His grace, God the Father, completely forgave us of our sin debt against Him which is something we are never going to be able to pay.  Our slate has been wiped clean by the Creator of the universe, yet we can’t forgive someone who we perceived to have wronged us.  Easier said than done, but this is the grace and love of the gospel where the power of the Holy Spirit allows us to forgive others even though it hurts.  We do not have to like or agree with the action, but we need to be forgiving and remember that hurt people hurt people.   Jesus warns us here and in the verse at the end of the Lord’s Prayer that if we do not forgive others, the Father will not forgive us.

 

Prayer

Father,

Thank you for you love and grace in sending Jesus to forgive me and pay my sin debt in full.  Let the power of the Holy Spirit guide me to be one who extends grace to forgive others.  May people see you through my forgiveness.

Scripture: “When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, ‘Does you teacher not pay the tax?’ (Peter) said ‘Yes.’

 

And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to (Peter) first, saying, ‘What do you think, Simon?  From who do kings of the earth take toll or tax?  From their sons or from others?’  And when he said, ‘From others’, Jesus said to him, ‘Then the sons are free.”  Matt 17:24-26

 

Observation:  God sneaks in a principle every so often.  I must be prepared to notice it, savor it, and embrace it.  But…. being prepared to notice it is key.

 

Application:   Right after the end of the above reference is the fisherman’s dream: hauling out a fish and finding money in the fish’s mouth.  Not only just money but the equivalent of a day’s wages.

 

Do you throw back a fish like that hoping to catch it again someday?

 

What is the principle behind this scripture reference?

 

Taxes are imposed by kings—there is a payment due.  No payment?  Then consequences.  Pretty much simple as that.  There is a somewhat reasonable accommodation: the family of the king is exempted from paying taxes.

 

So, the common residents of the kingdom are levied taxes with built in consequences.  Those of the king’s family are special—they are forgiven taxes and the subsequent consequences. Common residences of the kingdom vs. children of the kingdom, even adopted children.

 

Sounds like what is experienced being born again.  I once had to pay the penalty (tax).  Jesus paid my penalty.  Faith in that initiated my adoption by the King—I don’t have to pay the penalty.

 

I think that this is hard to completely embrace in one setting.  Even Paul hammered on the subject of the believer’s freedom and adoption, etc. in his letters to various churches.  It is so easy to slide back to thinking “I would be better off before the King if I ‘paid a tax’; I would look better and gain favor by ‘paying taxes.’”  The hard fact is I put Jesus’ work on the cross off to the side and render it useless and impotent by trying to gain favor from God by doing stuff—paying my tax.

 

Christ died to set me free; paid my ‘tax’ so I wouldn’t have to.  If I considered this with any clarity of thought, I should fall to my face in wonder and fear.

 

Prayer:  Lord, how can I thank you enough for your love toward me?  The Cross is not about me (although I can benefit tremendously from it), it is about You; it is about all of Creation; it is about a new heaven and a new earth.  Help me be fervent, fiercely focused on the Gospel and how it applies to me.  AMEN.

Scripture: “Then (Jesus) strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must:

• Go to Jerusalem, and;
• Suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes and;
• Be killed and;
• On the third day be raised.

 

And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him saying, ‘Far be it from you, Lord!  This shall never happen to you.’

 

But (Jesus) turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan!  You are a hinderance to me.  For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.’” Matt 17:20-23

 

Observation:  How would I think about Jesus confirming that He was the Christ and then being told “Don’t tell anyone…don’t talk about this.”? What is up with that?

 

Application:    Where is it in my current life that I am not setting my mind on the things of God?

 

Look at the passage: “I have to go to Jerusalem, the bigwigs are going to beat me up, and kill me.  No, really–kill me, no fooling.  But in 3 days after that I will be raised from the dead.  Yessiree bob, that’s the plan—what do you think?”

 

I would be dumbfounded.  Wide eyed, slack jawed, stopped in my tracks.  I wouldn’t know what to do or say…

 

Peter, oh, Peter—all off the compliment of “Blessed are you, Simon bar Jonah” and maybe feeling on the perky side, pulled Jesus to the side and urgently whispered, “Stop talking like that, Lord—ain’t going to happen…” thinking that his buddy Jesus has encountered brain fade and needs straightening out.

 

How many times have I jumped in to take “leadership” or tried to manage a situation just to find out that, what?  Was it needed?  Was I the right guy for the time?  Was I hearing the Holy Spirit and reacting or communicating the Will of God correctly?

 

Was I putting my thoughts of “rightness” before God?  Where was my mind in all of this?  Was it the Word of Me or the Word of God?

 

Jesus caught Peter with thinking about what Peter thought was right instead of backing up to a few moments earlier (“You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God…”) and thinking about “…maybe He knows something I need to listen to…”

 

I am like that.  I get all feeling holy, godly, and all that and I think that my thoughts are right in sync with the Holy Spirit; can’t go wrong, I got that prophet feeling all around me.  It doesn’t take long that I square my shoulders, look in the mirror and say with conviction, “I can’t believe you just did/said that…You are sooo much a dunce.”

So what do I do?  Confess, repent, get up again and go—prepared to repeat but hoping I was taught something.

 

This is what I learn most days: It is better to keep my mouth shut and thought a fool than open it and supply proof.  Prov 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

 

Prayer:  Lord, I can read with disdain for Peter and heartily agree with your rebuke—all the while fooling myself that I would be sooo different.  Sad fact is I wouldn’t be different at all.

Father, help me hear your whisper.  Help me shut up enough that I don’t overpower my ears from hearing You.  AMEN.

Journal Matt 15 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

 

Scripture:   “And (Jesus) called the people to him and said to them, ‘Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person but what comes out of the mouth—this defiles a person.’

 

Then the disciples came and said to him “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”

 

(Jesus) answered, “Every plant that my heavenly has not planted will be rooted up….Let them alone, they are blind guides.  And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

 

But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” And he said, “Are you still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled?  But whatever comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart and this is what defiles a person…But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone…”  Matt 15:10-19

 

Observation:   This section touches on something Jesus held pretty close to his heart: logical Biblical understanding.  For example, he says, “What is more important to God’s counsel: What and how you eat or what you say?  Which one has implications for eternity?”

 

Application:    Implications for eternity—what a weighty phrase.  There can be two responses to that: take it seriously or not.  After all, eternity is what God is about, I am temporal, day by day, flawed and helpless.  Wah, wah, wah.

 

I have to fight both sides of this: Not being a Pharisee about stuff like biblical conduct and not being so carefree as to abuse Grace.

 

Talk about having to get my head on straight, biblically speaking!  It is always a tough row to hoe .  So what do I do about it?  Take my time in thinking about the issue presented, talk to the face in the mirror about the Gospel, ask questions of godly men—at least that is what I do.

 

The Pharisees involved here were ate up with conducting rituals: Wash my hands before eating, wash my feet before entering a house, don’t eat certain things, put my right sock on before my left…hah, just wanted to see if you were reading…basically thinking it is what I do ritually that makes me in right standing before God.

 

Jesus is saying, “You guys have this reversed.  It is not what comes from Outside in (like food) that constitutes defilement.  Stuff like that goes into one end (the mouth) and comes out the other. Note that this has ZERO to do with any kind of change of heart.

 

But what is in the heart comes out of the mouth.  If the heart is defiled the mouth will speak it out and vice versa.”  Ok, Jesus didn’t quite say it like that but there’s the picture.

 

James said: “No one can tame the tongue.  It is a roaring fire… Out of the mouth comes sweet and salt water…”  See the dilemma?  I am always toast, can’t win.

 

But not entirely true.

 

Justification is all of God’s prerogative and doing: by faith I put my hope in the Blood.  The process of Sanctification is the ridding myself of pollution in full cooperation, acknowledgement, and strength of the Holy Spirit.

 

Do I want to see my tongue tamed?  You bet!!  How?  By the day by day focus on surrendering to and pursuing the Holy Spirit to walk worth of the Gospel.

 

Prayer:    Father, sometimes Sanctification is like doing the hokey pokey: One step forward, one or two steps back.  Repent, repeat, repent, etc.  How do I proceed?  Not by fleshly self-control for that is only measured by the weakness of my flesh—I can only get so far.

 

It is found in the self-control of processing acknowledgement of specific sin and that the first and most heinous committing of sin is against You, primarily You and secondarily others, confession of same,  repenting, accepting forgiveness, getting up and trying again—prepared to go through this same procedure in the next moment or two.

 

Father, I so need your power to continue.  Please keep my head on straight and firmly looking for your Kingdom.  AMEN

Scripture 

Vs 5 And though (Herod) wanted to put (John) to death, he feared the people …

Vs 9 And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded … John beheaded in the prison …

 

Vs 13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.

Vs 14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them …

 

Vs 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone …

 

Observation

There are a couple of comparisons happening in this chapter:

Fear vs. Compassion  AND  Crowds vs. Solitude

 

One is about how we feel toward the masses around us:

Herod “feared the people”.

Jesus saw a great crowd and “had compassion on them”.

 

The other is about the purpose and intentionality of being by yourself.

Jesus “withdrew from there … to a desolate place by himself”.

And later, Jesus “went up … by himself to pray”.

 

Application

Jesus never stops being fascinating to watch!

And it becomes even more so, when we have direct contrasts with opposite behavior.

 

Herod feared the people and Jesus had compassion on them.

Herod attracted a crowd because he wanted to distract and entertain.

Jesus attracted a crowd because he wanted to teach and heal.

 

What about me? … Do I have more fear or more compassion … really?

It’s easy for me to say I have compassion when I’m choosing each of my interactions.

What about when there’s “a crowd”?

What about when everyone around me thinks differently or disagrees with me?

If I am truly going to live out my Christian faith, there will be plenty of times when I should stand in contrast to “the crowd”.

Do I, really?

 

Do I ever alter the way I should act or talk because I want to “please people” over
“please God”?

I am always “in the world”, but am I also always “of the world”?

 

And am I intentional about getting away from the world?

Today it’s easy to always be part of the crowd, even if it’s digital.

There is a lot of talk of loneliness today, and certainly that is a major problem,

But do I have intentional solitude, rather than incidental loneliness?

 

If Jesus was intentional about his times of solitude, perhaps I should be, as well!

There are active and intentional verbs to describe Jesus’ actions in this.

Jesus “withdrew” and Jesus “went up”.

 

I will have to get alone “on purpose”, and likely move myself to a separate space or place.

And when I do get alone, do I simply wallow in my own thoughts?

No! … This, too, is intentional … “to pray”.

Even when I am alone, I am not truly alone.

I am with God. He is with me.

 

I must take this solitude seriously and intentionally.

I think doing so will help me have more “compassion” than “fear” for “the crowd”.

 

Pray

Thank you, God, for your Word

Thank you for your steady example

Help me lean into you and not the crowd

Help me feel for those around me the way you do

In Jesus name

Amen

Scripture: vs. 30-34

[30] And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” [31] The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” [32] And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” [33] They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” [34] And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.

 

Observation:

The two blind men called out – they had faith.  In spite of what others were saying (the crowd), hey relied entirely on the Lord.

The crowd rebuked the blind men – why?

The Lord is good – He had mercy on the blind men and healed them.

The men recognized what Jesus did for them and followed Him, ready to spread the word of what the Lord had done for them.

 

Application:

Why did the crowd rebuke the men?  It seems like we, with our sin nature, care more about ourselves than others.  What wold it have hurt the crowd for Jesus to heal the blind men?  There was only upside, no downside.  Two men could be healed and they could help spread the gospel.  Maybe much of the crowd didn’t really believe.  Maybe they were following Jesus not because they had faith, but because a crowd was following Jesus.  The crowd was in a crowd mentality.  Probably one person rebuked the men and then the others joined in.  It doesn’t make sense but that’s what we do.  March on, go along with the crowd, ignore others in need, care about ourselves.

The two blind men had total faith in Jesus.  They KNEW He had the power to heal them as nobody else could.  They didn’t let the crowd influence them.  In their faith, they shamelessly and earnestly cried out to Him.

How many times have we seen healing, or seen good things happen that have no other explanation than it being the work of the Lord?  How many times have we seen something miraculous and attributed it to some worldly explanation, or we knew it was the Lord and yet, we still didn’t follow Him as we should have.  We’re still not all-in with Him.  We try to use Him as our insurance policy or go go Him when we are seeing the results of bad decisions.  We turn to Him, He gives us grace and mercy and then we forget about it when we should give Him the glory, follow Him, and tell the world of what He has done for us.

 

Prayer:

Lord I love You.  Thank You for reminding me daily of your grace.  Thank You for the miracles You’ve shown me.  There is no other explanation than the fact that You are showing Your omnipotence and that You are always in control.  Let me always have unhindered faith in You even when faith is weak in much of the world around me.  In Jesus’ mighty name, amen.

Scripture: “At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath.

His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain to eat.  But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, ‘Look—your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.’  (Jesus) said to them, ‘Have you not read what David did when he was hungry (and those who were with him); how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests?  Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless?”  Matt 12:1-5

 

Observation:  Instead of asking “why”, Pharisees are quick to announce fault or transgression, right?  Am I like that?  Probably…

My goodness: if I am not supposed to do that, how am I supposed to act?  Overlook all faults?  That doesn’t sound right either…

 

Application:  Here we are presented with a situation.

Just happens to be Jesus and the disciples hanging out together.  Just happens that the disciples were hungry and took advantage of a snacking opportunity.  Just happens that there are Pharisees hanging around.

Just happens that the Pharisees jump on an observed fault by the disciples: “Ooo Ooo, caught you!!  Shouldn’t have done that…I am going to tell on you…”

How often do I do that very same thing?  Maybe not saying stuff as often as an adult but how much to I harbor that so-called knowledge in my heart?  How often do I keep score?  More than I care to admit I think.

Today I am trying to think as a Learner, a Disciple.  What can I pick out of this particular passage to grow as a disciple?  There is easy stuff like “Don’t be a Pharisee…”  Duh, no kidding.  But here is other stuff:

• Jesus said twice here “Have you not read?”  Point to pick out for sure.
• Not only “have you not read” but have you reasoned out the application?
• Not only “have you not read” and “reasoned out the application” but also “have I figured out the proper God-fearing, biblical response?”

I think that many times the characteristic of a Pharisee is that they stop at the surface; stops at the first glance.  When I am reading in the Bible and I find a “gem”, how often do I hold that “gem” out in front of me…only to find out later that If I read more before and after, that “gem” that I held dear really has another meaning altogether when I read the whole paragraph or chapter or the chapter before and the chapter after.

Seeking God, seeking God’s face, longing after Him, etc. is also longing after His Word—and all sorts of other writings that are instruments of Grace given by the Holy Spirit to discover more about the Creator of the Universe and His Ways.

 

Prayer: Father, I never thought that repenting from not reading would be something I need to do.  Reading is a discipline.  Help me read more, retain more, share more, but not assume dictatorial authority.  Knowledge is like a bunch of puzzle pieces I think—certainly I think this is true of Biblical Knowledge.  Please put all these puzzle pieces into their proper place and let the tapestry of the Gospel be shown.  AMEN.