Matthew 21:1-11 Entering Jerusalem

When they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to Me.  If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them."  This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: "Say to the daughter of Zion, 'behold your king is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'"  The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their coats on them; and He sat on the coats. Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road. The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!"  When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, "Who is this?" And the crowds were saying, "This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee." [Matthew 21:1‭-‬11 NASB]

I want to do a little word study on the word "hosanna". Hosanna literally means "save now!" It is derived from the Hebrew root word, "yasha", which is the same root as the Hebrew name "Yeshua" or Jesus (which means "Jehovah saves). Hosanna was originally used as an entreaty for help. Over time it developed a Messianic meaning and implied, "Messiah, save us!" By the time of Jesus, the original meaning as an entreaty was no longer implied. Rather, it became an expression of adoration to the Messiah. (This is not so unusual. In English, when we say "mercy me," we are not calling out for mercy, but expressing joyful surprise.)

When the crowd of disciples cried out "Hosanna to the Son of David!" They were praising Him and announcing their conviction that Jesus was the Messiah they had been waiting for.

For the first time in His life, Jesus publicly accepted His role as the Messiah. He had previously told His disciples to keep it quiet, and even told some people not to tell anyone about the miracles they had received.

Jesus knew what awaited Him in Jerusalem: betrayal, torture and crucifixion. He knew that once He accepted the role of Messiah, His enemies would move against Him, and the time for that had not previously arrived.

By riding the colt of a donkey into Jerusalem, Jesus was purposefully and knowingly fulfilling a Messianic prophecy, and setting in motion all the events to follow. The crowds would have also known about this prophecy, and reacted enthusiastically.

I have often heard people wonder how a crowd could praise Him so heartily on one day, and five days later shout, "Crucify Him!" I think it is because He didn't meet their expectations.

They were expecting the Messiah to ride into Jerusalem, raise an army, and drive out the Romans. They still didn't understand the spiritual nature of the kingdom of God. We may scoff at them now, but they had centuries of expectations and preconceived notions about who the Messiah would be.

How many preconceptions about God do we have that color our perception of Him. When you hear of God the Father, do you compare Him to your earthly father? Depending on your upbringing, you may picture God the Father as strict, authoritarian, and unbending. Or you may see Him as an affectionate, malleable, a pushover, caving to your desires. Or you may see Him as "hands off", virtually nonexistent.

If you really want to know God, you have lose your preconceived ideas. God is perfect in both judgement and mercy. He will condemn the wicked, yet He is willing that no one should perish, He has given you free reign to live your life as you see fit, yet He cares about every moment of your life, and every detail down the number of hairs on your head.

God is infinitely complex, yet He has made knowing Him as simple as saying, "Lord, I believe."

When you come to God in faith, He will fill you with His Spirit, Who will teach you all about Himself. And, if you are open to Him, you will learn who He is. Not who He is compared to an earthly father, but who He is in and of Himself. You will learn who He is, not as someone teaches you about Him, but as you experience Him for yourself.

We are all individuals, and God deals with each one of us individually, and relates to each one of us as we need Him to relate. Therefore, my experience with God will be different than your experience with Him.

There are truths about God in the Bible, and His character will never contradict what is written. You may read about Abraham Lincoln and know a lot about him. But you would never have really known him unless you had been able to live with him.

So with God. You may read about Him in the Bible. But until you spend time with Him, not just pleading your petitions and moving on, but really spending time listening to His Spirit within you, will never really know Him.

I encourage you to take that time.

Matthew 20:29-34 Healing on the Road

As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. And two blind men sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" The crowd sternly told them to be quiet, but they cried out all the more, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, "What do you want Me to do for you?"  They said to Him, "Lord, we want our eyes to be opened." Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him. [Matthew 20:29‭-‬34 NASB]

This marks the final recorded act of Jesus' traveling ministry in Matthew. Up to this point, He traveled throughout the cities in and around Galilee, while being primarily based in Capernaum. The rest of His teaching and acts will take place in and around Jerusalem, during the time leading up to His betrayal.

The road from Jericho to Jerusalem is about 18 miles long, and all uphill. You have to ascend from about 800 feet below sea level at Jericho to about 3,000 feet above sea level at the Mount of Olives. The going would be slow, making it a day's journey of about 8 to 10 hours on foot.

What stands out most to me in this story is the reaction of the crowd. The sight of blind beggars by the side of the road was a common enough sight, but these blind men had the audacity to make themselves heard.

These followers of Jesus were goal oriented; they were going to Jerusalem with the Master. Undoubtedly, most of the crowd still expected Jesus to march triumphantly into Jerusalem, overthrow the Roman government, and establish Himself as king. There was no room in their minds for distractions, and those loud, obnoxious blind men calling out for mercy made them uncomfortable. So they did what most followers of Jesus would do; told them to shut up.

God help the poor soul who goes against the tide of the established church. Martin Luther found this out when he was excommunicated and declared an outlaw by the Roman Catholic Church. Later in life, after establishing his own brand of religion, he in turn condemned the Anabaptists when they declared that Lutheranism didn't take freedom in Christ far enough. The Anabaptists eventually evolved into the Mennonite and Amish religions, which condemn everyone who doesn't think like they do.

Look around at the churches today. You will see that we are not much different than the crowds that followed Jesus that day, denying men the chance to receive Jesus' mercy because they make us uncomfortable.

When someone makes us uncomfortable, that should be the person we walk up to and offer the love of Jesus. Show the same compassion that Jesus showed.

Jesus had is eyes set on Jerusalem, but He stopped. He engaged the blind man, had compassion and healed him.

Sometimes you have to take your eyes off the prize, look away from your goal, and see the people who are around you.

Matthew 20:17-28 Unsung Heroes

As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death,  and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up."  Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left." But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They said to Him, "We are able." He said to them, "My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father."   And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.  It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,  and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave;  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." [Matthew 20:17-‬28 NASB]

 The disciples heard the words of Jesus, but they still didn't understand their meaning. Jesus has just announced that He is about to be condemn, scourged, and crucified, and that He would be raised up on the third day.

I think what the disciples chose to hear was, "I am going up to Jerusalem, blah blah blah, new kingdom." There was no reaction to the looming prospect of their Lord being turned over to the Gentiles, beaten with whips, and murdered on the cross.

When they heard that He was going to Jerusalem, their minds shut down to everything except their preconceived ideas about what that should mean. "If He's going to Jerusalem, then He is going to establish His kingdom. I wonder which of us will have the greater position in His palace in Jerusalem?"

James and John enlisted the aid of their mother. She didn't barge in, but came with her sons. Perhaps they felt that it would carry more weight if they came with parental support.

Jesus reiterates that the kingdom of God is different from the kingdoms of men. In the kingdom of God, the first will be last and the last will be first.

He escalates in His descriptions; if you want to be great, become a servant to others. If you want to be first, become their slave.

The disciples may not have understood this at the time, but after Jesus' resurrection, and after they were filled with the Spirit, they began to live it. Jesus had previously said that the disciples would have a special place of honor in the kingdom of heaven. It wasn't because they were that much greater than others, but because they took His words to heart. In effect, they enslaved themselves to the world, and died proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom.

I have seen church politics at work. ("Church" and "politics" are two words that should never exist together.) I have seen pastors climbing and fighting their way through denominational ranks. I have seen them lording it over their "flock", referring to them as "stupid sheep" needing to be led. I have seen church elders jockeying for position in the church, trying to get close to the pastor, arriving early for a meeting so they can sit at his right hand.

It should never be that way! The true pastor isn't lord over the flock, he is the lowliest of sheep, serving the others.

Search your heart and ask God to reveal your motives. Do you want to be a leader? If so, why? Is it for position and recognition? Do you sing loud for the sake of others around you so that you can be admired for the beauty of your voice?

The path to greatness in the kingdom of God is the path of humility. What can you do to make others look good? How can you encourage a brother or sister to grow in Christ?

We have the idea that the great preachers throughout history will have honored places in the kingdom. But I wonder; have they received their rewards through the praise and recognition of men? I contend that the greater position will be held by the unsung and unknown heroes of the faith. Who are they? I don't know and neither do you. And that's the point.

Matthew 20:1-16 Fair Wages

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.  When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard.  And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the market place;  and to those he said, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' And so they went.  Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did the same thing.  And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day long?'  They said to him, 'Because no one hired us.' He said to them, 'You go into the vineyard too.'   "When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last group to the first.'  When those hired about the eleventh hour came, each one received a denarius.  When those hired first came, they thought that they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius.  When they received it, they grumbled at the landowner,  saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.'  But he answered and said to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius?  Take what is yours and go, but I wish to give to this last man the same as to you.  Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?'  So the last shall be first, and the first last."  [Matthew 20:1‭-‬16 NASB]

This parable is a follow up to Jesus' previous comments, And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.  But many who are first will be last; and the last, first. [Matthew 19:29‭-‬30 NASB]

The workers contracted for a denarius, which is a normal day's wage. He went out again at about 9:00 AM, Noon, 3:00 PM, and 5:00 PM, each time hiring workers. At the end of the day, he called in the 5:00 group first, finishing with the early morning group. The first group was angry that the last group were paid the same as them, even though they did not do as much work.

Jesus is illustrating the judgement of the saints, as we stand before the judgement seat of Christ. Understand that the judgement seat of Christ does not include judgement for sins, they have been forgiven. This is the time when we will receive our rewards for our obedience to Christ.

The point Jesus is making in his illustration is that what seems fair to us, may not be fair to God. He says, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts." [Isaiah 55:9 NASB]

Paul said, "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!" [Romans 11:33 NASB]

There is an old story of a preacher who preached faithfully in a church from his youth until his very old age. When he finally died, he stood before the judgement of Christ, and received a meager reward. Astonished, he said, "I have preached from my youth until I died at an old age. I have been faithful all this time. Where is my great reward?" and the Lord answered him, "There was another man who, from his youth until his old age, sat on the front steps of your church and prayed. He was never acknowledged in his life, and never sought recognition nor reward. His reward in Heaven will be great."

We tend to think in human terms. We expect a preacher or full-time minister to receive a greater reward than a plumber. "After all," we say, "They've devoted their lives to God's service."

But God doesn't think like we do. You may be a laborer, or an office worker, or even in the clergy. What matters most is that you are obedient to the Spirit of God to do as He wants you. Has He made you to be a preacher, then preach obediently. Has He made you to be a laborer or to work in an office? Then do your work as unto the Lord.

What is important is that you are obedient to do what the Lord has called you to do. If all you can do is sit at home and pray, then pray faithfully.

I expect that when we stand before the Lord, many who have been first in this life, that is the preachers, conference leaders, and famous faces, will find that they have already received much of their reward in this life, as they receive the praise and acknowledgement of men.

I think the truly great people in the kingdom of heaven will be like the poor woman who put only a penny into the temple treasury. Out of her poverty, she gave all she had and received praise from Jesus. They will be the people that no one has heard of, quietly and faithfully serving God, each in his own way.

I encourage you to do whatever it is that your hand finds to do for the kingdom of God, in obedience to the Spirit of God. Never think your contribution is too small. If you are doing what God has called you to do, then your contribution is not too small, it is just right.

Matthew 19:16-30 The Trap of Wealth

And someone came to Him and said, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" And He said to him, "Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."  Then he said to Him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "You shall not commit murder; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself."  The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?" Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."  But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.  And Jesus said to His disciples, "Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."  When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, "Then who can be saved?" And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."[Matthew 19:16‭-‬26 NASB]

The point that this passage makes is that the love of money can take precedence over the love of God in our lives. Even if we do everything else right, we can lose out on the kingdom of heaven if we don't have our priorities straight.

The cultural belief at the time was that riches were a sign of God's blessing. Thus the Sadducees and Pharisees, who were the rulers in Israel, being very wealthy, considered their money to be evidence of their spiritual superiority.

This is not much different from much of the teaching we hear from televangelists and mega-church pastors today. Some come right out and say that their wealth is a sign of God's blessing on their life and "ministry". I believe that many of these preachers, if faced with the same challenge as this young man to sell everything and give to the poor, would make the same choice: to walk away from Jesus in favor of their wealth. In fact, when I hear some of them preach, I am convinced that they have already made that choice.

To the disciples astonishment, Jesus said, "It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." They still labored under false impression that Jesus was going to establish a physical kingdom in Israel. Sure, they were living rough for the moment, but when Jesus came into power, they would rule alongside Him and be rich and powerful.

Then Peter said to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?" And Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.  But many who are first will be last; and the last, first. [Matthew 19:27‭-‬30 NASB]

Jesus let the disciples know that their reward was not meant for this life, but for the life to come. The Twelve will have a special place of honor in the kingdom of God.

Jesus also issued a promise for the rest of us. He let us know that whatever we sacrifice in this life for the sake of the kingdom of God will be rewarded many times over.

Examine yourself and ask God to reveal your heart. Is their anything that you have place before God? You may say, "I don't have money, so that's not an issue." But a poor man grasping for money is just as greedy as a rich man who holds onto his.

No possession should come between you and God. Jesus asked the rich young man to sell everything and give it away because He knew the man's heart, that money came before God, and therefore had become his god.

Jesus didn't make this a commandment for everyone; not everyone should sell everything they have. But if money, house, car, or anything else has precedent over God, then it has become an idol. It may be that selling it and giving the money to the poor is your best option as well.

Do whatever it takes to keep God first in your life. He is worthy of being first in all of our lives. Do so, and the rewards in the next life will be great.

Matthew 19:13-15 Little Children

Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."  After laying His hands on them, He departed from there. [Matthew 19:13‭-‬15 NASB]

When we compare this passage with the accounts in Mark and Luke, we can learn a little more about this scene.

First, the age of the children. Luke says, "And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them." [Luke 18:15 NASB] We see that these children are little babies, and not older children.

Also, Mark and Luke record Jesus saying, "Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all." [Mark 10:15 NASB]

This is not the first time Jesus made a reference to children and the kingdom of God. We recently read, At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. [Matthew 18:1‭-‬3 NASB] The child that Jesus called to Himself was older and able to come to Him when called, while those in Matthew 19 were babies, being brought to Him for a blessing.

The disciples were out of line when they rebuked the parents who wanted Jesus to bless their children. Jesus took them in his arms (Mark 10:16) and blessed them.

Jesus made it clear that it is not the children who need to grow up and become as we are to be in the kingdom of Heaven, but rather, it is we who need to become innocent like them.

Various churches have taken this passage and made rituals and traditions based on it. Some of the more traditional churches couple this passage with the passage in Acts, "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?" [Acts 10:47 NASB] Thus they have the practice of baptizing infants.

Evangelical churches generally reject the notion of infant baptisms and have baby dedications, setting aside a portion of a service to dedicate the babies to the Lord. The parents and family will bring the baby to the minister, who will pray over the child and the family.

I'm not going to pass judgement on which tradition is more right or wrong. Personally, I dislike religious rituals because the focus tends to become more on the ritual than the meaning behind it. I do think is good to bring your child to Jesus for a blessing however you do it.

In any case it is important to remember what Jesus in teaching us. It is not dedication (using the term to include baptism) that makes the child a part of of the kingdom of God. It is God's grace and acceptance of the child's innocence. They are already in the kingdom of God before they are dedicated. Should we, therefore, refuse to dedicate the babies? Of course not. Jesus said that they should not be hindered.

Dedicating a child to God means that you are giving him to God. It is acknowledging that this child belongs to God, and He is entrusting you to raise him. I think that it is good for parents to have this mind-set because it firmly acknowledges that God is first in the family above the children.

When my son was an infant, he had meningitis. Having recently lost a nephew to meningitis, this sounded to my wife and me like a death sentence. Of course, we prayed for his healing, but we also confessed to God that our son belonged to Him. He was not ours, but God's, so whether God would leave him with us to raise or take him Home to Himself, we would honor Him. God had mercy on us, and allowed our son to have a full recovery with no ill effects, for which I continue to praise Him.

Parents, your children do not belong to you, but to God. He has place them in your care. Ask yourself: If the baby Jesus had been born into your family and placed in your care to raise, how would you raise Him, knowing that He is the Son of God? Remember, your child is also a child of God, and should be raised accordingly.

Matthew 19:10-12 Celibacy

The disciples said to Him, "If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry." But He said to them, "Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given.  For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it. " [Matthew 19:10‭-‬12 NASB]

The disciples are responding to Jesus' teaching that it wrong to divorce and remarry for any reason except immorality on the part of the spouse. Apparently, they felt the restriction was so harsh that it was better to not even marry, rather than to stay with the same woman for the rest of their lives.

Jesus didn't deny them the right to stay single if they so chose (and hadn't already married). Nor did He deny them the right to be married. Essentially, what He is saying is that the ability to be happily celibate for the entirety of one's life is gift that is give to only a few.

In fact, most of the apostles were married. We know from Matthew 8:14 that Peter was married. Paul makes this comment, "Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?" [1 Corinthians 9:5 NASB] According to tradition, John was the only apostle besides Paul to remain single.

The simple fact is that we are human, with desires and urges. Most people cannot remain celibate for their entire lives, which is why Paul wrote, "But because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband." [1 Corinthians 7:2 NASB]

Sexual relations are good and pure within the bounds of marriage. And that is exactly where they should stay. Christians who live together like the people of the world are testing the grace of God. 

As for a lifestyle of celibacy, Paul had this to say, "Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that. But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I. But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion." [1 Corinthians 7:7-9 NASB]

If you believe that you can be happy remaining celibate so that you can devote yourself more fully to the service of the Lord, then remain so. But if you are like most people who crave companionship and intimacy, the solution is not to sleep around, but to get married. Both choices are good choices.

Matthew 19:1-9 Marriage and Divorce

...Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?" And He answered and said, "Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."  They said to Him, "Why then did Moses command to give her a certificate of divorce and send  her  away ?" He said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way.  And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery." [Matthew 19:1‭-‬9 NASB]

 There are a lot of people in this world who wish this passage didn't exist.

First, you've got the gender benders. Some people have this notion that they can choose their gender based on how they feel. They even say that they can choose to be neither male nor female, but something entirely different.

Now those who are in the world, that is, the non-Christians who are actually children of the devil, can repeat his lies all they like, and it doesn't affect me. I confess that I sometimes shake my head in wonder, but beyond that, I just let sinners do what they do.

But when they try to bring it into the church, that's another matter entirely. Those who claim to speak in Jesus' name, then insult the Spirit of God with their words and actions will be held accountable before God. In the mean time, I will not hear them, nor will I fellowship with them in any way, except to tell them the truth of Scripture.

And the truth is that Jesus said that God made us male or female, and that a man is to marry a woman. You may argue against God, but you will lose.

Then you have the many Christians who are divorced and remarried. Jesus said that they are living in adultery. Is there room for grace? Of course!

Adultery is sin. But we are told, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." [1 John 1:9 NASB]

So If you've been divorced and remarried, then learn that what you have done is adultery in God's eyes, confess your sin of adultery and receive His forgiveness.

But what about those who know the word of God, and defiantly enter into an adulterous life. I have known those who, in their defiance, refuse to accept Jesus' words. "I don't care." they say, "I'm going to remarry." They might as well say, "I am going to steal" or "I am going to fornicate" or "I am going worship and idol". Is there still room for forgiveness? Yes, but they must humble themselves and confess their sins. This can be a hard thing to do. Again, I have known Christians who are divorced and remarried who remain firm in their defiance, declaring that they have done nothing wrong.

So what will happen if you refuse to confess your sins? The sin remains. How will God judge you? Will He say, "You've confessed my name, so your sin is forgiven"? 

Or will you be one of those of whom He says, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.  Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'  And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness .' [Matthew 7:21‭-‬23 NASB]

If you find yourself in this situation - divorced and remarried - then I recommend that you swallow your pride, and confess your sin of adultery to the Lord, and receive His forgiveness.

Don't think that this is a "get out of jail free" card. That you can do anything you want as long as you confess it. Remember, God knows your heart, whether you are truly penitent or not. He will judge us all based on our motivations, as much as by our actions.

Matthew 18:21-35 Forgiveness

Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.   "For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.  When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.  But since he did not have the means to repay, his Lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made.  So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.'  And the Lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt.  But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, 'Pay back what you owe.'  So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you.'  But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed.  So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their Lord all that had happened.  Then summoning him, his Lord said to him, 'You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.  Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?'  And his Lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him.  My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart." [Matthew 18:21‭-‬35 NASB]

The point of Jesus's words, "seventy time seven" isn't to keep score and stop forgiving at the 491st offence, but to say, "As many times as your brother sins against you, forgive him." He then tells a parable to illustrate forgiveness in the kingdom of God.

For a little perspective, the first slave owed 10,000 talents. One talent was worth about 15 years wages for a laborer. In other words, this was a debt that could never be repaid. But his Lord forgave him that debt. The second slave owed one hundred denarii. One denarius was worth about a days wages.

The meaning is clear. Because of our sin, we owe a debt that we can never repay. There are not enough good works in the world to cancel out the debt that we owe.

Yet God sent His Son in the flesh to die on the cross, shedding His blood as the one and only pure and true sacrifice to pay off our debt. If only we believe in Him, our debt is forgiven.

In comparison to the debt that God has forgiven us, there is no debt that a brother can owe that compares. It's like comparing the 150,000 years of wages that we owe God to the 100 days wages that we are owed.

Since God has forgiven us, we are compelled to forgive one another.

What happens if we refuse to forgive? Jesus said, "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions." [Matthew 6:14-15 NASB]

Paul tells us, "be angry , and  yet  do not sin ; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity." [Ephesians 4:26‭-‬27 NASB] First, let's put away the notion that he's commanding us to get angry. I have actually heard people justify their temper with this verse. He is simply recognizing that in our humanity, we will sometimes feel anger. When that happens, don't let it lead to sin - forgive one another so that the anger is stopped in its tracks. 

He says, "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." [Ephesians 4:31-32 NASB]

Matthew 18:15-20 Church Discipline

"If your brother sins , go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.  But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or  three witnesses every  fact may be confirmed .  If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.  Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.   "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.  For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." [Matthew 18:15‭-‬20 NASB]

Jesus is continuing His line of thought. First, he tells of the dire consequences for those who cause one of Jesus' followers to stumble. "It would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." [Matthew 18:6 NASB] Then He tells of God's reaction to one who stumbles. "What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying?" [Matthew 18:12 NASB] Now He is describing what our reaction should be to one who has stumbled.

The correction of a brother who sins must be an act of compassion, not of judgmentalism. Jesus has already told us, "Do not judge so that you will not be judged." [Matthew 7:1 NASB]

We are not to judge another, but at the same time we are not to tolerate blatant sin in the church. When I talk about sin in the church, I am talking about Biblical definitions of sin, and not some legalistic church doctrine relating to hair length, or clothing style, or any such thing.

The Bible describes such things, "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." [Galatians 5:19-21 NASB]

If you are aware of a fellow Christian in your fellowship who is engaging in these sinful behaviors, go to him privately, in the Spirit, and in love. Jesus said, "if he listens to you, you have won your brother."

If he refuses to heed what you say, go back to him a second time, but take someone with you. Perhaps he will listen to two or three people when he failed to only one.

If he remains defiant, then you must stop having fellowship with him until he repents. Religion has turned this process into an ecclesiastical ordeal involving excommunication, or calling for the elders to pass down their judgment. Remember, the word that Jesus uses for church, ekklesia, simply means gathering, and originally had no religious use at all. (In such a highly religious society, that is significant.) He is not calling for the Sanhedrin to rule, but for those believers who are in fellowship with the man to agree together step away.

The church in Corinth faced a situation where a man was engaging in sexual immorality. Paul chastised the church for their arrogance because they did not remove him from their fellowship. He told them, "I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one." [1 Corinthians 5:11 NASB]

This does not mean that he is written off forever as lost cause. On the contrary, when he has seen his error and returns, he should be accepted back into fellowship. Paul said, "Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him." [2 Corinthians 2:6-8 NASB]

The heart of discipline isn't punishment for the sake of vengeance. It is for compassion that those who have stumbled and lost their way may find their way back again. 

Let us rejoice with the Shepherd when the one lost sheep has been returned to the fold.

Matthew 18:12-14 What If I Stumble?

"What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying?  If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray.  So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish. [Matthew 18:12‭-‬14 NASB]

Jesus is continuing His thoughts from the previous verses. The "little one" He refers to are His disciples, that is, those who have humbled themselves and become the children of God.

Jesus told us the consequences of causing a Christian to stumble. Here He tells us about the one who stumbles.

First, Jesus calls us His "little ones", and now He compares us to sheep. He, of course, is the shepherd. Jesus does what any good shepherd does when one of sheep goes astray. He seeks us out, not to punish, but to bring us back into the fold.

This is where religion so often fails us. We have this image of God, sitting on a throne with a lightning bolt in His hand waiting to punish anyone who sins. Sorry, but that is an image of Zeus from Greek mythology. This is idolatry.

God is not an angry Father, waiting with a belt in His hand, ready to whip you because you missed curfew.

God is not a judge, sitting behind the bench with a pair of scales in His hands saying, "You've sinned this much, so I require this much penance from you."

The truth is, we sin. And there is a penalty for that sin. But in dying on the cross, Jesus sacrificed Himself and paid the penalty for all of our sins.

Most of us are already aware that salvation is a gift from God. "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;" [Romans 3:23-24 NASB] and "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." [Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB]

It's not just the initial salvation that is by grace. The ongoing work of sanctification (becoming holy) is also by grace. Paul gives us an image of the sanctifying work of the Spirit, "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." [2 Corinthians 3:18 NASB] 

This also is by grace, and not by any works that we do. "This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" [Galatians 3:2-3 NASB]

God knows that sanctification is a process, and that we will sometimes stumble and sin. His forgiveness extends, not only to salvation, but also to sanctification. "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." [Hebrews 4:15-16 NASB]

Matthew 18:6-10 Stumbling Blocks

...Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. "Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!  "If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire.  If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the fiery hell.   "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven. [Matthew 18:6-‬10 NASB]

The little ones Jesus refers to are not only children, but all those who will call themselves a child of God the Father.

I've seen a pattern repeated over and over. When a person first receives Jesus as Savior, his enthusiasm is great, but his faith, being newly formed, is weak. This is a vulnerable time for a Christian, when the seed of God's words hasn't had time to take root.

They are easily led astray into false doctrine, worldly activities, or even away from the faith. The world works very hard to promote evil, and will love to see a Christian stumble. We have to deal with anti-Christian bias in the news, ungodly teaching in the classrooms, pornography on the internet (what would have passed for pornography 50 years ago is broadcast on primetime network television). Then there are the attacks from "friends", family and co-workers who don't understand our faith, and so they try to tear it down.

Then you have our fellow Christians (as if the world is not enough). If someone doesn't believe just what we believe, then they must be wrong. Years ago, a co-worker who I knew to be a Christian came up to me and asked, "Do you believe in healing?" I answered him, "Yes." His face turned red, and his expression contorted into rage. He said, "Healing is of the Devil! Anyone who believes in healing is going to hell!" I asked him to show me where in the Bible it said that, and he stormed off, never to speak to me again. Had I not been firmly grounded in the word of God, and firm in my faith, that might have made me question God. Instead I simply felt sad for the man.

There are many ways in which we can cause a weaker brother to stumble. As Christians, we have tremendous freedom in Christ. We are not under any law, nor any man-made rules. Instead we are led by the Holy Spirit, and follow the law that He writes on our hearts. If we are led by the Spirit, He will lead us into greater righteousness than we can ever imagine by following any set of rules.

But with this freedom comes responsibility. Don't focus so much on your freedom that you lose sight of the Holy Spirit who gives you that freedom. Peter said, "Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God." [1 Peter 2:16 NASB] We are not slaves to the world, nor slaves to the law, but we are bonded to God, and pledged to obey Him.

Paul said, "But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak." [1 Corinthians 8:9 NASB] Paul used the example of meat. It was the practice at the time to make sacrifice to an idol, then sell the meat in the meat market. The moral debate at the time was whether a Christian should eat meat that had been sacrificed to an idol. Paul said that it was a matter of conscience and faith. He said, "For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ." [1 Corinthians 8:10-12 NASB]

This applies to any behavior that causes a brother to stumble; drinking alcohol, watching Stephen King movies, listening to non-Christian music, etc. We're caught up in a paradox. We're called to freedom, but we must not allow our freedom to cause another to stumble. Paul concluded, "Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble." [1 Corinthians 8:13 NASB]

So here's what I do. I am free in Christ, so I will not allow any person or church tell me what I must do, or what I cannot do. But if I am with someone whom I know to be weak in an area, I will abstain while I am with that person. This is not done out of compulsion, or because of law, but out of love. I will do whatever I can to help that person grow in the faith, so that they too will learn to walk in freedom.

I urge you to follow me in the example of love.

Matthew 18:1-6 True Humility

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me;  but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. [Matthew 18:1‭-‬6 NASB]

People in this world strive for greatness, and the church is not exempt. I have heard pastors boasting about the size of their church, or the breadth of their outreach in such terms that they are saying, in other words, "see how great I am in the kingdom of Heaven."

Here's the truth. The pastor of a megachurch will receive no greater rewards than the person who stays at home and faithfully prays each day. In fact, I will go so far as to say that the mega-pastor is at greater risk of losing his reward if he enjoys the accolades of the crowds, or if he allows pride to enter into his heart.

This hearkens back to Jesus' teaching in the sermon on the mount, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." [Matthew 5:3 NASB] Jesus isn't telling us to be childish, nor to act like children in every way, but is pointing out the humility of a child. Don't throw a tantrum and excuse yourself by saying, "I'm just being child-like." Jesus told his disciples, "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." [Matthew 10:16 NKJV]

Don't fall into the trap of affecting false humility. And don't equate shyness with humility. Shyness is often just a manifestation of fear.

There was no more humble man than Jesus. So let's follow His example.

Paul said, "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." [Philippians 2:5-8 NASB]

Jesus said, "When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. “But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”" [Luke 14:8-11 NASB]

True humility isn't shuffling your toe and saying "Aw shucks" when you receive a compliment. Nor is it self abasement. It is putting others first. Paul said it this way, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;" [Philippians 2:3 NASB]

If we all regard one another as more important than we are, then we will be lifted up as we serve one another.

Matthew 17:24-27 The Temple Tax

When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?" He said, "Yes." And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?"  When Peter said, "From strangers," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are exempt.  However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me." [Matthew 17:24‭-‬27 NASB]

The two-drachma tax was not a Roman tax, but temple tax given for the support of the temple in Jerusalem. The origin of the tax is found in the Law of Moses:

"“When you take a census of the sons of Israel to number them, then each one of them shall give a ransom for himself to the LORD, when you number them, so that there will be no plague among them when you number them. “This is what everyone who is numbered shall give: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs), half a shekel as a contribution to the LORD. “Everyone who is numbered, from twenty years old and over, shall give the contribution to the LORD. “The rich shall not pay more and the poor shall not pay less than the half shekel, when you give the contribution to the LORD to make atonement for yourselves. “You shall take the atonement money from the sons of Israel and shall give it for the service of the tent of meeting, that it may be a memorial for the sons of Israel before the LORD, to make atonement for yourselves.”" [Exodus 30:12-16 NASB]

Over the centuries, the payment of the tax became lax, and a matter of some controversy. Most Israelites paid the annual fee. The Sadducees objected to the fee, and didn't pay it. The Qumran community paid it only once in their lifetime. The priests and temple workers were exempt from the tax. And, of course, there were the tax dodgers who simply wanted to hold on to their money.

Those who collected the temple tax were not the despised tax collectors who colluded with Rome, but worked for the temple. They weren't the religious leaders, out to discredit Jesus, and assert their own power.

Chances are, their question to Peter, "Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?" was an honest inquiry. Especially with Jesus' growing reputation throughout Galilee as a prophet and worker of miracle, and the speculation that He might be the Messiah, or at least the forerunner; it would have been reasonable - even expected - for Jesus to claim exemption from the tax.

Peter oversteps when he answers them. Jesus gave Peter a mild rebuke by reminding him that as the Son of God, He is not required to pay a tax to His Father's house. However, Since Peter already gave his answer, Jesus did not want to offend them by contradicting Peter in public.

This is noteworthy because Jesus had no trouble offending the Sadducees and the Pharisees. The difference is in the attitude of those asking. He called out the religious leaders for their hypocrisy, but he honored these honest temple workers, who were simply following the Law of Moses.

His solution is also noteworthy. Why get money from the mouth of a fish? I believe it was an object lesson to Peter. Jesus and His disciples carried a bag of money for their provisions and to help the poor. By refusing to take money from the bag, Jesus is not taking anything from Himself or His disciples. By using this divine provision, He is - in effect - taking from the Father to give back to the Father. Which is no tax at all.

Most of us in western culture tend to have a strong sense of personal freedom, and don't hesitate to exert our individual rights. Many of us will not hesitate to offend others in order to stand up for what we believe. But we should be cautious, and know when it is okay to offend, and when it is not.

Jesus had no trouble offending the hypocrites. Paul risked offending Peter. "But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?" [Galatians 2:11-14 NASB]

But Paul also said, "Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died." [Romans 14:13-15 NASB]

So we are to oppose hypocrisy while bearing with one another's weaknesses. Before speaking or acting, ask yourself, "Am I speaking or acting in love?"

Matthew 17:14-20 When Faith Fails

When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic and is very ill; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him." And Jesus answered and said, "You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me."  And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once.  Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not drive it out?" And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. [Matthew 17:14‭-‬20 NASB]

The kingdom of God has an interesting dynamic: it only takes a little faith to accomplish great things, and it only takes a little doubt to completely subvert that faith.

We read in Matthew 10:1 that Jesus had already given His disciples authority to cast out demons. Mark tells us, "They went out and preached that men should repent. And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them." [Mark 6:12-13 NASB]

They had experience acting in Jesus' name, and casting out demons, yet they failed in this case. I think that's why Jesus allowed some frustration and annoyance show. Because of their experience, they should have done better. When they brought the boy to Jesus, He rebuked the demon and it came out of the boy. Mark tells us in chapter 9 that the demon tore at the boy one last time before coming out, and left him lying still, as if he were dead. Jesus raised him up and he was well.

When the disciples asked Jesus why they couldn't drive it out, he told them it was because of their lack of faith. By comparing faith to a mustard seed, Jesus is letting His disciples know that even a tiny amount of faith would have been enough.

So why did their faith fail them? I don't know for sure, but I can speculate that when they saw the violence of the demon, they allowed fear and doubt into their hearts. Later manuscripts add, "But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting." [Matthew 17:21 NASB] This verse was included in the King James Bible, and is placed in brackets in most modern translations indicating that the earliest manuscripts do not include it.

Obviously, prayer is necessary for even the most basic faith. You have to spend time with God if you will have faith in Him. The disciples were forbidden to fast at this point. Jesus had previously said, "The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast." [Matthew 9:15 NASB] It seems out of character for Jesus to rebuke His disciples for something He had forbidden them to do.

Whatever the reasons, the disciples failed. Jesus corrected them, and then He taught them. He never rejected them, or turned them away.

There will come a time in all of our lives when we fail. When you fail, don't think Jesus is going to reject you. He will never love you any less because of your failures. In fact, because He loves you, He will correct you.

Learn from these disciples because they did something very right. After they failed, they got alone with Jesus to talk to Him about their failure. When you fail God in any way, don't turn away from Him. Don't try to hide in shame. Come to Him with an open heart, and learn from Him how to do better next time.

Matthew 17:9-13 Elijah

As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead."  And His disciples asked Him, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" And He answered and said, "Elijah is coming and will restore all things;  but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands."  Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist. [Matthew 17:9‭-‬13 NASB]

The disciples are just now coming to grips with their realization that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. They are trying to reconcile the prophecies that they know about the Messiah, with the person they see in front of them.

It has already been speculated that Jesus was Elijah (Matthew 16:14), but that speculation was set aside with the revelation of Jesus' true identity.

The very last prophecy of the Old Testament reads, "Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. “He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse." [Malachi 4:5-6 NASB]

The notion that Elijah would return to herald the coming of the Messiah was very popular in those days, because they thought it meant their time under the rule of Rome would soon be over. They thought they would know the Messiah when He came because Elijah would herald His arrival.

The disciples were no different. Although they accepted that Jesus was the Messiah, they couldn't understand how He could be there without first seeing Elijah.

Jesus told them, "Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him." Then the disciples understood that he was talking about John the Baptist.

Some have read this and come to the conclusion that John the Baptist was the reincarnation of Elijah. Let's be perfectly clear. The Bible does not teach reincarnation. We are taught, "It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment," [Hebrews 9:27 NASB] It is best to consider that John the Baptist is, metaphorically, Elijah.

He was not recognized because he was not what people expected. The popular concept of Elijah is based on his miracles, and demonstrations of power: stopping the rain, raising the dead, calling fire from heaven, and so on.

John the Baptist did not perform any miracles, but in the spirit of Elijah, he confronted ungodliness and exposed hypocrisy. He called upon the common people to “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” [Matthew 3:2 NASB]

He also fulfilled the role as herald to the Messiah. He said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! “This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’" [John 1:29-30 NASB]

It is easy to miss what God is doing because we have preconceived ideas about what it will look like. Just as people thought they knew what Elijah's coming would look like, so people think they know what the end time signs will look like before Jesus' return. One thing about prophecies is that it is easier to interpret them after the fact. 

Let's not be so sure of our expectations that we miss what God is doing.

Matthew 17:1-8 Transfiguration

Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, "Get up, and do not be afraid."  And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone. [Matthew 17:1‭-‬8 NASB]

 We are told in Hebrews 1, "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they." [Hebrews 1:1‭-‬4 NASB]

On the mount of transfiguration, the disciples saw a glimpse of His radiance and power. In essence, Jesus momentarily dropped His facade, and appeared in His natural state.

God made it clear that there was to be a transition in the way He spoke to the world. In the past, he spoke through the prophets, but from now on, he would speak through His Son. He said, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!" There is no greater authority.

The transfiguration also gives us a glimpse of what we, ourselves, can expect in the resurrection. Paul teaches, "But someone will say, “How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?”..."There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another."..."So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body." [1 Corinthians 15:35-44 NASB]

That speaks to our eternal state, but in the here and now, our spirits are already being transfigured. The Greek word is metamorphoo, and is translated as either transfigure or transform. Paul uses the term when he says, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." [Romans 12:2 NASB] And again, "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." [2 Corinthians 3:18 NASB]

It's like being in a dark room with a single bright light. If you stay away from the light, you remain in the shadows. But if you approach the light, your image becomes more clear. As you get closer to the light you begin to shine by the light reflecting off of you.

So it is with the Lord. I am speaking to those who are saved. If you only pray when you have a need, or if you get so busy with your day that you just "can't find the time" to spend quality time with the Lord, then you remain in the shadows of the world.

But if you will draw close to Him, then you will be transformed. Renew your mind, that is, devote your thoughts to Him. Turn your mind on Jesus, and leave it there throughout the day. Spend quality time with Him. If you don't have time in the day, then lose an hour of sleep to make the time. Your spirit is worth much more than an hour of sleep.

The analogy of stepping close to the light is incomplete. Yes, we reflect the light of Jesus. But more than that, we become transfigured to be like Him.

Draw close to God and receive His glory.

Matthew 16:25-28 Lose Your Life

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds.   "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom." [Matthew 16:25‭-‬28 NASB]

We are given a choice. We can follow the world, or we can follow Jesus. If you follow the world, you may gain the world, but you will lose your soul.

Paul said, "Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience," [Colossians 3:1-6 NASB]

When you choose to follow Jesus, you become dead to your old life. This is true in a spiritual sense as well as figurative. You have to be willing to die to you old way of life if you want to truly live in Christ. Some - I should say most - will choose to hold on the old life, refusing to die, and so lose their soul.

Jesus said that He would return and "repay every man according to his deeds." Please don't misunderstand. Jesus won't be holding a scale and measuring your good deeds against your bad deeds. You won't be able to say to Him "I helped little old ladies across the street, so I deserve to get into Heaven."

The judgement is this: did you follow Jesus or not? In this life, did you seek the kingdom of God, or did you seek material gain or fleshly pleasures?

It's not about church attendance. You can do many good works, be a missionary to third world countries, and lead others to Christ, but if your own heart is not right, you will lose your soul.

Paul said, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." [Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB]

If you are counting on good works to get you into heaven, then you are still living in the world. Surrender to Jesus means giving up on your own efforts to be good, and trusting Him. Trying to gain God's favor by doing good deeds is sin. The good news is that God forgives sin when you come to Him in faith and ask for His forgiveness.

When you follow Jesus, you lose your old life, and are born again into the kingdom of God. 

There have many different speculations about Jesus' words, "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom."

Understand that the kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom. Paul said, "for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." [Romans 14:17 NASB] One day, Jesus will return, but we don't have to wait for His physical return to live in the kingdom of heaven. We are told, "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household," [Ephesians 2:19 NASB] 

Jesus died and rose again on the third day. He sent His Spirit to indwell each one of us. As believers, we are the kingdom of God, along with all of the faithful who have gone before us.

I urge you to turn from the pleasures of the world. Follow Jesus with all of your heart, soul, mind and body. You will experience great peace and joy in this world, and in the next, eternal life.

Matthew 16:24-26 Take Up Your Cross

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  [Matthew 16:24‭-‬26 NASB]

This has got to be one of the hardest things for a 21st century American to grasp. We live in a society that is driven by Wall Street. Success is measured in gross assets. Preachers are on TV and radio, and writing best selling books to tell people that they can be their best self. They are more motivational speakers than preachers of the gospel. We are taught that God's purpose is to fulfill our desires.

I recently had a conversation with a Christian brother who was boasting that he was preparing to "trade up" his large house for an even larger one. What bothered me in this conversation was when he said that it was God's will for him to have the larger house. I asked him how he knew it was God's will, and he answered, "because I desire it."

I was taken aback by his answer, and asked him why he thought that his desire made it God's will. He answered "because God puts the desires in my heart."

I pointed out that the Bible teaches that there are desires of the flesh, and not every desire is from God. How did he know this desire was from God? His answer was, "because I have peace about it." In other words, since he felt good about it, it must be from God. He also quoted a scripture that said, "God will give you the desires of your heart."

I hope you see the error in his reasoning. (He never did). Pridefulness, and the desire for prestige do not come from God. He calls us to humility. His will is not for us to indulge ourselves, but to deny ourselves. There are many prosperity preachers on the air that equate material gain with holiness. Yet the wealthiest men in America make no claim of being Christian.

The Psalm says, "Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart." [Psalm 37:4 NASB] Put another way "If you desire the LORD, He will give you your desire." If you seek Him, you will find Him. This doesn't even come close to saying "If you acknowledge the LORD and desire riches, then He will give you riches."

Jesus said that we should take up our cross and follow Him.

That means we are to die to self. Our own desires are subjugated to His. As Jesus said, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?"

Yes, Jesus loves you. He wants the best for you. What is best for you is not the indulgence of the flesh, but the building of your character.

Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." [Matthew 6:19-21 NASB]

Don't keep you eyes on material rewards, lest you gain the world, and lose your soul.

Matthew 16:21-23 Get Behind Me, Satan

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 be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You." But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's." [Matthew 16:21‭-‬23 NASB]

For some context, Peter has just made his famous proclamation, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." [Matthew 16:16 NASB] After confirming Peter's words, Jesus told His disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ.

I'm sure the first desire of the disciples was to proclaim to all, "Jesus is the Messiah! He's come to save Israel!" But Jesus didn't want them to say anything. First, it wasn't yet his time. Second, the disciples still didn't understand what that meant. They were still looking for Him to overthrow the Romans and establish an earthly kingdom in Jerusalem.

So Jesus began teaching them that being the Messiah didn't have anything to do with raising an army and marching in victory against Rome. Rather, it meant that He would suffer and die, and be raised again on the third day.

Peter, no doubt, was still a bit high from his fresh revelation about the identity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I imagine that he was feeling very sure of himself and his ability to hear from God the Father, and be his mouthpiece.

Peter felt free to take Jesus aside and set Him straight. Jesus' words didn't match Peter's expectations of the Messiah, so obviously, a little correction was needed.

Jesus' response was instantaneous and forceful. "Get behind Me, Satan!" He also let Peter know where he had made his mistake. His mind was not set on God's interests, but his own.

I can identify so well with Peter. When you have been used by God, it is easy to succumb to spiritual pride. When you are used to hearing the voice of God, it is easy to insinuate your own voice instead of His. Especially if there is a conflict of interest. Be extra cautious if it seems that God is telling you what you want to hear. That might be a good time to seek counsel from someone else whose opinion and spirituality you trust.

I'm not at all saying that God will not give you what you want. He loves you and wants you to be happy. He also knows that not everything you want is good for you. Also, He has the larger agenda of building His kingdom. That is His higher priority.

Learn to hear His voice. As you grow more accustomed to it, you will grow more confident and capable of discerning between His voice and your own. But always be aware of your own priorities and motivations, that they don't conflict with His.

Matthew 16:13-20 Upon This Rock

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"  And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"  Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.  I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."  Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ. [Matthew 16:13‭-‬20 NASB]

Jesus took His disciples about 25 miles north of Galilee to Caesarea Philippi, in what is now the Golan Heights. This got Him away from the crowds, so that He had time for some more private discussions with His disciples.

He asked who people thought He was, and received a variety of answers. When He asked "Who do you say that I am?" he received the right answer. "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Jesus affirms Peter's answer. "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." Peter's statement is probably one of the most important statements in the Bible, and it was said matter-of-factly. There was no thundering voice, no earthquakes, lightning, fire from Heaven, nor any other outward sign. Peter didn't fall into a trance or receive a great vision. He simply spoke from the heart.

This is how the Holy Spirit often speaks to us: directly to our hearts. Christians often go through life saying, "God has never spoken to me." More likely, God has spoken many times, but you didn't recognize His voice. The reason we don't recognize His voice could be because we don't expect Him to speak to us, or since He speaks directly to our heart, we think it is our own thoughts, rather than the voice of God. It could simply be lack of practice and experience listening for Him. And it could be that our own inner voice, our thoughts, are so busy and loud that we drown out the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit.

Try this: when you pray, talk to God as you would talk to a friend. Just as you would expect a friend to respond, you can expect God to respond. And then - shut up.  Quiet your mind and your thoughts long enough to hear the voice of God. I can promise you this: God will speak to you, and He wants you to hear Him. You may not receive great prophetic words, but He will give the encouragement and guidance you need for your life. It won't come in a booming voice from the ceiling, but from the quiet voice where the Spirit of God lives in your heart.

Jesus goes on to say, "you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church." I love this statement because of what it reveals about Jesus.

First, consider the location. I've been to the area that was Caesarea Philippi. Basically, the whole area is bedrock, with a lot of stones. Jesus considers both the environment and His audience to make a play on words. He says, "You are Peter." The Greek word is "petros", or "a stone". Then He says, "upon this rock." The Greek is "petra" or "a bedrock". I can visualize Jesus with His disciples having this discussion. Jesus picks up a stone and says, "Simon, you are a stone." Then indicating the bedrock around them, He says, "Upon this bedrock, I will build my church." Peter, and all believers are stones in the church that Jesus is building, but Peter's statement - the truth of who Jesus is: the Christ, the Son of the living God - is the bedrock that the church will be built upon.

This is the first mention of the word "church" in the Bible. The Greek word is "ekklesia" and means "a gathering". What is most significant about the word is that it was a common word that had absolutely no religious connotations at the time. This tells me that the church was meant to be a gathering of believers and not a religious institution. What the church has become, what we have turned it into is, in my opinion, appalling. Too often, it has become a monstrosity that keeps people from knowing God. Much evil has been done in the name of religion.

Yet, the true church remains; apart from religion.

The gates of hell, that is the power and authority of the devil, has set itself against the church. The most blatant attacks are seen in the form of satanism, pagan and atheistic movements. The more insidious attacks are in the form of corruption within the church. Replacing faith with ritual and replacing freedom in Christ with adherence to church rules and dogma.

Jesus said, “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." [Matthew 7:14 NASB] He also said, "“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’" [Matthew 7:22-23 NASB]

Many will face the Lord in judgement, having done the whole "church" thing, and having been faithful to their religion, but Jesus will say them, "I never knew you."

Be a follower of Jesus, not a follower of religion. Join with a gathering of fellow believers. That is the true church, not the rules and ordinances of an organization.

Let the Spirit of God guide you and lead you into freedom.