“Then the man who had received one talent also approached and said, ‘Master, I know you. You’re a difficult man, reaping where you haven’t sown and gathering where you haven’t scattered seed.'" The irony is that this servant really didn't know his master. It seems that maybe he made this decision based actually upon what … Continue reading Assumptions vs Knowledge – Matthew 25:24
Category: Matthew
On Time – Matthew 24:48-51
But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces … Continue reading On Time – Matthew 24:48-51
The Fairness Of God – Matthew 20:11-15
When they received it, they began to complain to the landowner: ‘These last men put in one hour, and you made them equal to us who bore the burden of the day and the burning heat!’ “He replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I’m doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me on a … Continue reading The Fairness Of God – Matthew 20:11-15
Tiny Faith – Matthew 17:20-21
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. [ But this kind does … Continue reading Tiny Faith – Matthew 17:20-21
Man of Sorrows – Matthew 14:13
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. Our dear Lord Jesus was a man of many sorrows. He bore much emotional pain and suffered great loss. In His sufferings He learned what it meant to be obedient in the flesh (as a man) as … Continue reading Man of Sorrows – Matthew 14:13
The Willingness Of God – Matthew 8:3
Reaching out His hand He touched him, saying, “I am willing; be made clean.” Immediately his disease was healed. Can we truly comprehend the amazing depth and humility of Jesus statement? He is willing. What else matters? The Incarnate God of the Universe is willing to touch us in the most leprous part of our … Continue reading The Willingness Of God – Matthew 8:3
It Is Written – Matthew 4:10
Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” In the face of pure evil (satan himself), Jesus (God in the flesh), addresses every single temptation, each of which was designed to personally derail Jesus and His mission, with … Continue reading It Is Written – Matthew 4:10
Internal Strife – Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14:38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” This truth still affects every believer today. Our spirit infused by the Holy … Continue reading Internal Strife – Matthew 26:41
Phony Fatal Friendship – Matthew 26:49
So he went right up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. Right up until the very last minute Judas the liar is deceiving. The true sign of his friendship with Christ becomes the final act of betrayal. What a miserable being he was, Judas. As the Psalmist prophesied, " Even my closest … Continue reading Phony Fatal Friendship – Matthew 26:49
Faithless and Twisted – Matthew 17:16-17
And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” "O faithless and twisted generation..." My tendency when reading this statement is to … Continue reading Faithless and Twisted – Matthew 17:16-17
Offended – Matthew 13:57
And they were offended by Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his household.” How easy it is to be offended by truth and those who speak it. For the one who is nominally faithful or flat out evil-seeking, the contrast of truth and … Continue reading Offended – Matthew 13:57
Be a Good Loser – Matthew 10:39
Anyone finding his life will lose it, and anyone losing his life because of Me will find it. There are those lives among us or who have gone before us that clearly demonstrate what this looks like. Yet, in my own life, I really wonder what this looks like. From my perspective it seems I … Continue reading Be a Good Loser – Matthew 10:39
The Severity of Sin – Matthew 5:27-30
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better … Continue reading The Severity of Sin – Matthew 5:27-30
God’s Irony – Matthew 27:25
And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” It is simply God’s irony that those who sought to have him murdered and who gladly took full responsibility for His crucifixion articulate in their anger the very truth that saves us today. By the grace of God, Jesus’ blood is … Continue reading God’s Irony – Matthew 27:25
Blasphemy? – Matthew 26:65
Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? Look, now you’ve heard the blasphemy! Irony of all ironies is that the high priest puts Jesus under oath before His Father, God, (I and the Father are One) and then promptly condemns Him to death for … Continue reading Blasphemy? – Matthew 26:65
Double Jeopardy – Matthew 22:29
But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God. I’m not really sure what this legal term implies; however, the phrase in general certainly describes these so called religious leaders, the Saducees. It also seems to clearly describe many who claim to be Christian leaders … Continue reading Double Jeopardy – Matthew 22:29
Please Leave – Matthew 8:34
At that, the whole town went out to meet Jesus. When they saw Him, they begged Him to leave their region. Can there be a sadder event ever recorded in Scripture regarding those who directly encountered Jesus? Granted, He didn’t present Himself to them as they might have expected but still, those who needed Him … Continue reading Please Leave – Matthew 8:34
Who Is This? – Matthew 8:27
The men were amazed, and said, “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” This is the question all men must ask, “What kind of man is this?” Who is this Man who can speak the sea calm? Who is this man who can exorcise demonic powers? … Continue reading Who Is This? – Matthew 8:27
Hunger – Matthew 4:4
But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” In the midst of His physical hunger and the temptation specifically tied to this need, Jesus redirects His focus to the spiritual companion of this physical hunger - the spiritual hunger … Continue reading Hunger – Matthew 4:4
Turn and Walk – Matthew 3:8
Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. Repent - turn 180 degrees and walk. The turning is crucial. The walking is key. To simply turn and stand is only the beginning. True repentance produces fruit that speaks of its authenticity. True repentance will bring good works that clearly display the change that has occurred by the … Continue reading Turn and Walk – Matthew 3:8