Matthew 28- The final Chapter

       vs. 28: 18-20 is called the Great Commission!

OBSERVATION: Obviously, the resurrection is the big story in chapter 28.  But those who know me know that the Great Commission has been my byline for a long time. It’s the last thing Matthew records Jesus saying.  If you know you only have a short time remaining here on earth, what do you want to say.  Something important, right?  So, Jesus gives marching orders to the disciples and His followers – then and now. 

APPLICATION: As Christ-followers we do many good things.  Reading the Word, praying, teaching, and helping the needy are some of the actions taken by Christ-followers.  But in these verses, Christ is telling us what to do when He is gone. "Go into the whole world, make disciples, and baptize." Can you imagine how big a task that would seem for 11 men? 

Tell people about Jesus!. And the task is almost complete.  There are approximately 5,000 unreached people groups left to evangelize. It is entirely possible that in my lifetime every group in the world will have heard about Him.  The church has carried out the Great Commission and we are in the final stage of it’s completion. 

That’s what the Pursuit Christian Church is ALL about. 

"HE IS RISEN – HE IS RISEN INDEED!!"

PRAYER:  Father, thank you for sending your Son to earth to give us an example of how to live.  Help us to share His story with others. Amen.

Matthew 27

Matt. 27:24  "…he (Pilate) took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man’s blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"

Understanding:  Jesus had been arrested. He was being falsely accused. He was brought before govenor Pilate who finally declared Jesus executionable and ordered His crucifixion. The act was carried out with extreme cruelty and prejudice. Jesus suffered terribly, died sacrificially and His body was prepared for burial. The authorities were disturbed by Jesus’ claim to return to life in three days and secretly took steps to secure the tomb by putting a seal on the stone and posting guards.

Application: Man’s attempt to rid himself of Jesus’ influence started in darkness. Early morning refers to the hours just past midnight when Judas and the others came to arrest Jesus. Thus began the greatest cycle of "buck passing" (taking the blame off oneself and putting it elsewhere) to occur in history up to that time. Judas was siezed with remorse and attempted to "pass the buck" by returning the money to the chief priests. They responded, "What is that to us? That’s your responsibility," then they took the ‘blood money’ and attempted to "pass the buck" by putting it to a charitable use buying cemetary ground on which foreigners could be buried. Pilate attempted to "pass the buck" by wrongly putting the decision in the hands of a mob. "I am innocent of this man’s blood," he said. It is your responsibility!" The crowds carelessly "passed the buck" to their next generations, "Let His blood be on us and on our children!" The chief priests "passed the buck" onto Jesus Himself, "He’s the king of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him." The only one who wasn’t "passing the buck" was Jesus. He played His part for the redemption of mankind.

You cannot escape your responsibility to accept or deny Jesus for who He claims to be. There is no free pass. There is no "passing the buck" when the time comes to be held accountable for rejecting Him. There are only two possible answers to the question, "who do you say Jesus is?" and the way you’re living your life now puts you squarely in one camp or the other. Yes, I believe He is the Son of God and I accept Him as Messiah or no, I dont’ believe, I have doubts, I’m not sure, I believe He was a good man, I believe He is just a myth, I believe He was a good teacher, I believe He was a man with a Messiah complex or I believe He is probably who He says He is and I plan to switch camps at some point…unless I die first. It’s not a game people, it’s literally life or death. 

Prayer: Dear God, salvation is serious business. You are serious business. Jesus is serious business. Dying is serious business. What happens after we die is very serious business. It’s so much better to live a sinner saved by grace than die a sinner eternally separated from God. Heaven or hell. We will choose, either actively or passively, we will choose..there’s no "passing the buck" on that one. Thank you God for your gift of patience that still gives us time. Thank you Jesus for your death on the cross that gives us a place with the Father. Jesus is risen, He is risen indeed! Amen.        LS

Matthew -chapter 26

  26:75, "….And he went outside and wept bitterly."

OBSERVATION: There is so much going on in Chapter 26.  The main focus is on Jesus and his approaching arrest,trial, and death.  But Matthew takes time to share many stories about others.  Why does he point out Judas betrayal and Peter’s denial?  I think he does this so that many of us can relate to the story.  Maybe that’s why I can understand the Bible – because I see people who are just like me in it.

APPLICATION: While I hate to admit this, I can relate to Judas betrayal of Christ.  There have been times in my life when I have turned my back on Jesus and just felt terrible. Times when things of the world have become more important than my faith.  Or like Peter, I have experienced extreme disappointment in myself for my failure to stand up for Christ.  Times when I have sat silently and did not take a stand for Christ.  I also have wept bitterly due to my failure.

As Matthew relates these two stories, we see how differently both men reacted to their failure.  Judas couldn’t handle the pressure and took his own life, a tragedy in any time.  While Peter’s denial was also terrible, he repented and became one of the church leaders.  A lesson I needed to read about.  Most of us have failed God at one time or another.  The question is, "How will you respond?"

PRAYER:  Father, you have been so gracious to me and yet at times I have failed you completely.  Please forgive me and help me to continue my walk with you.  Amen!

Matthew – chapter 25

    OBSERVATION:  In chapter 25, we find Jesus near the end of His time on earth.  He is with the disciples and is beginning to prepare them for the time when they will be on their own.  This is some of His most serious and powerful teaching.

The parables He shares deals with ‘being ready’ for the second coming of Christ.  Notice that the end of each parable there is a judgment.  In the Parable of the Ten Virgins, Jesus says to those who haven’t used their lives to prepare for this time, "I don’t know you."  In the Parable of the Talents, to those who have misused their talents, He says," throw out the worthless servant and their will be crying and wailing."   He concludes with the Parable of the Sheep and Goats.  Here we get a glimpse of what judgment will be like.  In verse 46 we read, "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

APPLICATION:  Linda and I have dreamed about going to Australia for years.  But I know it’s a dream because we have  never made any plans.  We are going to Indianapolis in May for a Missions Board meeting and I have bought airline tickets, called friends and arranged to stay with them, and rented a car.  This trip will happen because we are preparing and will be ready. 

Jesus is telling us in these parables that we must use this life to prepare for the next.  A trip to Australia will never happen – if we don’t start making plans.  Eternal life is heaven will never happen – if you don’t start making plans.

PRAYER: Father, we know that you are a just God.  We know that there will be an eternal judgment.  Thank You for pursuing us and teaching us what to do to prepare for eternity.  Help us to share with others their need to prepare also.  In the name of Christ, Amen.

 

Matthew 24

Matt. 24:35 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

Understanding: Jesus was talking privately with His disciples. They asked, “…what will be the sign of your coming…?” Jesus then described the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple (which occurred in 70 A.D.). He also described future events that would point to the end times including a pre-eminence of natural disasters, varied and intensified forms of persecution against believers resulting in desertion of the faith or death, the emergence of numerous corrupt and false religious leaders and a multiplicity of nations warring against nation even to the point of unleashing a global holocaust. It’s horrifying and disturbing stuff!

Application: The study of end times can be very fascinating. Dozens of scholars have written hundreds of books offering their learned opinions on deciphering the signs of the end times and yet Jesus was very clear to say no one knows the day or time of His second coming, not even He Himself. Jesus stresses to the nth degree the need for us to focus on the present not on the future. If we stay focused on our daily walk, stay true to our God who first stayed true to us, and better conform ourselves to His image through study, prayer and actions, tomorrow’s salvation is assured. Don’t be lax, lazy or loose with your faith. Don’t be caught unawares. I think about the times I’m on I-75 and I round the bend and there sits a patrol car. I love it when I look down and I’m within speed limits, but when I’m breaking the law, my heart rate increases, my stomach flip-flops, I tap the brake in order to correct my disobedience (which by then he has recorded on radar) and I check nervously in the rearview mirror to see if I’m busted. It’s the same with my faith walk. Whether Jesus comes to me or I go to Him, I need to be walking my talk when circumstances bring us face to face.

Prayer: Jesus, I know there are some things You intend to not fully reveal until the day of our reunion. I will be patient to persevere in doing what is most important today and trust You to handle the future. Even so, come Lord Jesus! Amen

Postscript: There’s nothing wrong with studying prophecy and the end times. Some authors who have intriguing insights are David Reagan and Beth Moore (her study of Daniel). Discovering how past prophecy has been fulfilled helps to strengthen our faith, unraveling future prophecies is an intellectual exercise in guesswork. The one (and perhaps only) fact we can be sure of is wherever, whenever and whatever we’re doing, we must stay vigilant! LS

Matthew – chapter 23

"Woe to you, teacher…."

OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:  At the end of chapter 23, Jesus has finally silenced the Pharisees and Sadducees,"from that day on no one dared asked him any more questions."  But the multitudes have witnessed this exchange and now Jesus is teaching them.  He is afraid that the people might not follow the religious leaders.  He is teaching them to observe the leaders and not to follow them blindly BUT only when their leaders are following God’s teaching.

That was never truer than it is today.  Christians have never has so many voices telling them about God.  Christian bookstores are stocked with resources, books, tapes, videos, etc.  Our airwaves are filled with preaching and our TV’s have religious stations broadcasting "24-7".  Yet, are all of these voices worthy of our following?  What happens when one of our leaders fail  Leaders who have proclaimed the gospel all their lives in obscurity , commit sin and it becomes national news.  That why the Bible teaches that leadership is a serious matter.

Jesus is telling them and us to observe our leaders, match their lives against the Word, and follow them only when their teachings and actions agree with what the Bible teaches.  Believers must not follow their leaders blindly.  Not of us are perfect and we are working to be better followers, just like you. Follow those who rightly explain and practice the the Word of God.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for allowing me to serve you in the ministry.  I beg that you take from me anything that might hinder my serving you.  Help me to follow and  be obedient so that I can lead others to you.  Forgive me for the times when I fail you!  In the name of Christ!

Matthew – chapter 22

One of the most wonderful parts of being a minister is getting to perform weddings.  Early in February, Linda and I flew to Wisconsin to marry our nephew and his fiancee.  It was 73 degrees when we left Florida and -9 degrees when we arrived in Wisconsin. But our love for these two beautiful people motivated us to do what was necessary to be in attendance. In spite of the frigid weather and a few late arrivals, the wedding was beautiful.  After months of planning Trav & Marissa became Mr. & Mrs. Beckett.

OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The parable of the Wedding Banquet gives us a clear picture of how  much God loves us, what He is willing to do to enable us to get to Heaven and how aggressively He pursues us.

Verses 8-10 are verses that have been some of my favorites for years. God has given us both the Word and His Son to prepare the way for our getting to heaven.  Everything is ready !  He tells us to, "Go everywhere and invite anyone you can find – both good and bad!"   WOW! How much clearer could He make it.  You, me, Uncle Ralph, the black-sheep of the family, and people from around the world are all invited. 

The Good news of the Bible -we all are invited.  The Bad news – not everyone accepts the invitation.  God has done His part – the rest is up to us.

PRAYER: Father, I’m so glad that you have pursued mankind since the fall and have not turned your back on us.  Please help those who haven’t accepted you so far to have a change of heart.  Use me to help others see how much you love them.  Amen!   

Matthew – chapter 21

The movie, "Forrest Gump" is one of my favorites.  I often quote Forrest when he said, "I’m not a smart man – but I know what love is."  Forrest is not ‘the sharpest knife in the drawer’ but he knows enough to recognize when he is in love.

In chapter 21, the confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees and chief priests is heating up.  Everything Jesus does upsets them and they are afraid of the crowds who follow Him. They are constantly questioning Jesus, trying to trick Him or get Him to say something wrong.  Jesus either turns their questions around and puts them in a tough place or asks them a question they can’t answer.  Most of these men had spent their entire lives studying the Old Testament and were experts on it’s teachings. They knew the facts about the coming of the Messiah but didn’t recognize him as Jesus.

Forrest didn’t know all the facts about love but knew enough to follow his heart.  The chief priests and Pharisees knew the facts but would not to open their hearts to Jesus.  As a teenager, I didn’t know many of the facts about God but I knew there was an emptiness inside of me.   Some forty years later I know more information about God and it just confirms what my heart told me.

PRAYER: Father, thank you for helping me to love you.  I pray for those who are seeking you but haven’t found you yet.  Father, remove the barriers that are keeping people from you.  Please use whatever methods you need to bring them to you. AMEN. 

Matthew Chapter 20

Matt. 20:13-15 "But He (Jesus) answered one of them, ‘Friend I am not being unfair to you…Take your pay and go…Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

Understanding: The vineyard is the kingdom of heaven. Its owner is God and the hired workers are you and I. Some workers labored all day while others worked but a few hours, yet each was paid the same. Our initial reaction is ‘Hey, wait just a ding dang minute! That’s not fair!’

Application:  One of our greatest weaknesses is our bent towards wanting to compare stuff. We’ve even coined a well used phrase, "It’s like comparing apples to oranges," meaning the two are so different in taste, color, texture etc., that even though they’re both fruit, they really can’t be compared. Though we are created in God’s image, His ways are so above ours it’s like comparing apples to oranges.  Let’s take a closer look at this parable’s meaning. I’ve had a faith and relationship with God for over 30 years while some of you are just beginning. Suppose we both died tomorrow. Should God’s promise of salvation to you be less than His promise to me? Consider the thief on the cross. Should his ‘deathbed’ confession not count the same as your confession of faith? The full measure of heaven and eternal life is given to all.  The difference is I’ve had years to experience God’s blessings and my life on earth has been fuller, more joyful, more satisfying and more content. I’ve had time, and hopefully you will too, to grow in my faith and know God in a very personal way. Therefore, in the same way reconnecting with a ‘best friend’ fosters a greater anticipation and deeper affection, I know my years in the vineyard will reward me with an even sweeter and exciting homecoming.

Prayer: My dearest friend, Thank you for being a God of kept promises. You never compare apples to oranges. Your ways are so above mine, I have no business trying to set standards for anyone. I have received so many blessings and my life has been so much fuller because I’ve worked for so long in your vineyard that at the end of the day, I would be both selfish and ungrateful to demand more for myself and less for others. Help me to avoid Satan’s trap of comparison thinking. Amen                        LS

Matthew Chapter 19

Matt: 14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Understanding: People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them. But the disciples, no doubt meaning well, were turning them away. Jesus was under great pressure from the constant crowds. The demands of their schedule and the expectations placed on their time sometimes didn’t even give them opportunity to eat. Like a conscientious administrative assistant for a busy executive, the disciples attempted to shield Jesus from less important matters and annoyances, but they acted in error.

Application: Jesus doesn’t call people to childish behavior but to childlike faith. The qualities of humility, trust, receptivity and a lack of self sufficiency all characterize a person of faith. The movie The Polar Express is one of my favorites. The boy doesn’t know if he still believes in Santa Claus and is taken on a journey to the North Pole where he reacquires his will to believe. At the moment his childlike faith is restored, his ears are finally opened to hear what had long been silent to him, the sound of Santa’s sleigh bells ringing in the joy of another Christmas. The kingdom of God is not earned by human effort, but received in childlike trust as a gift of the mercy and grace of God. Sometimes it only takes one thing in our lives to hinder and block a believing relationship with God. Chapter 19 gives us several ways it’s possible to lose that innocence and trust. Experiencing the consequences of a hardened heart that ignores God’s commands concerning divorce, “Therefore. what God has joined together, let man not separate.” The consequences of not surrendering our all to God as in the case of the rich, young ruler who was spiritually hindered because of his dependence on material possessions. For others, it may mean surrendering such things as fame, extraordinary talent, good looks, intellectualism or authority. We must guard our hearts and minds so we don’t become so “old” in our thinking and “set” in our ways that we become too “grown up” to hear the message of the “bells” ringing in our own lives: “And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.”

Prayer: Dear God, I want to believe. I need to believe. Help me hold on to that first childlike step of faith that led me into your arms. Open my eyes and heart to whatever may be hindering or blocking me from maintaining that same depth of trust. You created me, you know me better than anyone, if I stay true to your commands I know you have plans to prosper me. Thank you God. Amen LS