Day 29: Matthew 19:13-30

“Jesus said to him, ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” - Matthew 19:21-22 ESV

This man who came to Jesus had it all. He was wealthy and influential. He was young, with his entire life ahead of him. Even better than that, he was an avid rule follower when it came to the Law of Moses. Jesus grills him with the section of the 10 Commandments that deals with how we treat others, and he checked out just fine.

Yet, he apparently feels like something is missing. Have you ever felt like this? You've done what you can to live a pretty moral life. You treat others with fairness and compassion. Even so, there is still a feeling of incompleteness inside. For many of us, it could be a form of idolatry that we've been ignoring.

For this man, it was his wealth. He clearly trusted in money more than in God. Rich, young, and ruling; still, he knew he was lacking.

Is there anything in our lives currently that we'd be unwilling to give up for the sake of following Jesus?

Writing about these verses, H.D.M. Spence-Jones gives us an excellent picture of what Jesus was asking of this Rich Young Ruler: "Thou shalt obtain that which thou desirest, eternal life. Not that stripping one’s self of goods and giving to the poor does necessarily ensure the great reward, but, in this youth’s case, such a sacrifice, such a victory over the besetting sin, would be the turning-point in his character, and enable him to conquer all lesser temptations, and win the prize of his high calling." - Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). St. Matthew (Vol. 2, p. 249)

"Father, we want to be completely aware of growth areas in our lives. Would you reveal those to us today? In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen."

Day 28: Matthew 18:21-35, 19:1-12

“Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.’” - ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:21-22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

There is a toxic saying that has been going around for some time. It goes like this: “People never change.” These words communicate that people aren’t worth forgiving.

Let’s ask ourselves this question today: “Have you changed as a result of Jesus coming into your life?”

Our ability to forgive others is found somewhere in these kinds of questions. Jesus believes that people deserve to be given a second, third, fourth... yes, a lot of chances.

Why would He say something like that? The heart of God is not that anyone should perish, but that ALL come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). God’s forgiveness (and our own) is a statement that people should be given another shot.

Now, our limitless forgiveness is not to negate the need for protective boundaries with people (this is also a form of love). But it does teach us that no one wins when we hang on to bitterness and hate.

Who do you need to forgive today? We may need to drop to our knees right now and say something like this to God: “Father, you know what this person has done to me, but in light of your forgiveness to me, I am right now forgiving them. I refuse to drink the poisonous brew with which they’ve hurt me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.”

R.T. France gives us an even greater picture of what Jesus was alluding to with his answer to Peter's question: "The Rabbis discussed the question and recommended not more than three times. Peter’s seven times is therefore generous, but Jesus’ reply does away with all limits and calculations. His allusion to Genesis 4:24 neatly contrasts Lamech’s unlimited vindictiveness with the unlimited forgiveness of the disciple. The Hebrew of Genesis 4:24 clearly means seventy-seven times (as RSV mg.), and this is also the most natural rendering of the Greek (Gundry, UOT, p. 140); but to be concerned as to whether the figure is 77 or 490 is to return to the pedantic calculation which Jesus rejects!" - France, R. T. (1985). Matthew: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 1, p. 280)

Day 27: Matthew 18:1-20

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” - Matthew‬ ‭18:3-4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

What is it about children that Jesus is envisioning here? As we consider what He may mean, we may note that little kids are naturally…

• Trusting

• Imaginative

• Unpretentious

• Inquisitive

• Sensitive

• Full of wonder

The list may go on from here. Jesus especially points out the humility that children possess.

While the disciples were jockeying for the top Jesus-follower spot, He was trying to show them that Christianity would never be a hierarchy system of value. All of us carry an incredible amount of importance when it comes to Jesus’ Church.

May we stop trying to get to the top or get more of the spotlight. Instead, let’s seek to serve and find ways to live a humble lifestyle.

God is going to give us all the honor we can handle someday in heaven. Our genuine, lasting reward won’t be found here anyway. The following quote makes us think long and hard about how we should model Jesus: "True disciples are 'little ones' (10:42; 18:10, 14) 'who believe in Jesus' (18:6), out to make Christ alone great. In contrast to false religious leaders (7:22), children who come 'in his name' truly represent him (cf. 18:20; 19:29), and other disciples must 'receive' such little ones (10:40). That is, Jesus is modeled best among the most powerless, not among the powerful." - Keener, C. S. (2009). The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary (pp. 448–449)

Day 26: Matthew 17:10-27

“Jesus said to him, ‘Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast 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 me and for yourself.’” - Matthew 17:26-27

There were so many reasons why Jesus could have shirked this Temple tax. Here are three (and a bonus fourth):

First, there were some Jewish groups who already refused to pay it.

Second, they usually took in more than they needed for operations. So much so that one year they built a golden vine with the excess.

Third, the Temple is about to be destroyed in 70 AD (Jesus will prophesy later about this in Matthew 24).

A fourth reason could have been that the men who were running the Temple were the very ones who would later orchestrate Jesus' crucifixion.

So, since Jesus had legitimate grounds for not paying it, why did He go ahead and pay the tax from the fish's mouth? Couldn't that shekel have been used more wisely?

Can you go ahead and try to stiff the IRS this year?

I love what Craig Keener writes about these verses: “Jesus cares about his disciples’ social obligations (17:24–26). Disciples need to be ready to surrender their privileges and 'rights' for the sake of the gospel (17:25–26). Jesus supplies needs like these as well as other needs (17:27).”

Believe it or not, Jesus cares about your tax life. He actually cares about your entire life. He cares so much that He died on the cross to restore us to who we were really meant to be.

May we trust Him to provide for all that we need. For taxes, generosity, groceries, and more.

Day 25: Matthew 16:13-28, 17:1-9

“And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, ‘Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.’ But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.’” - Matthew 16:22-23

Leave it to someone like Peter to recognize the true identity of Jesus (verse 16), and then just a few verses down, resist the way that He had planned to carry it out.

“If his confession in v. 16 was inspired by God, his subsequent words reveal an interpretation of that confession in terms of natural human considerations.” - France, R. T. (1985). Matthew: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 1, p. 263)

This goes to show us that the disciples still didn't have a clue as to how Jesus was going to carry out His Messianic plan. There were still hopes of Him taking this show to Rome for a militaristic setup of the Kingdom and rule. To ultimately give freedom to Israel once again. Like a Gideon or a Deborah or even a Samson, but way better (more permanent).

Yet Jesus asserts that He plans to die and rise. Peter seems to be stuck on the "die" part of the plan. Though I can be pretty hard on Peter here, I can find the same kind of mentality in my own life.

I definitely recognize Jesus as the Messiah, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Yet do I resist when it comes to the paths that He asks me to walk, thinking that I know better than He does?

In a way, do I try to "rebuke" the God of all creation because things aren't turning out how I had hoped they would?

May we receive Jesus as both Christ (the Messiah that was to come) and Lord (ruler of our lives and the entire world).

Day 24: Matthew 15:29-39, 16:1-12

“And great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and they put them at his feet, and he healed them, so that the crowd wondered, when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled healthy, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel.” - Matthew‬ ‭15:30-31‬ ‭ESV‬‬

What would it be like for Jesus to show up (in flesh) today and empty all of the nation's hospitals by restoring them to complete health? What would the headlines read? For sure, conspiracy theories would abound!

I always love these 100% heal-rate scenes. Only our Savior could pull off something like this. Nothing before had been seen like it, and nothing since.

Why only during the 3-year time period of Jesus' earthly ministry? Why can’t we see all of this today? It is evident that Jesus was showing us just how holy (how different) He was from any other. He could be trusted.

One day, when Jesus returns, we will also enjoy a 100% heal-rate experience, and it will be on a permanent basis.

The Greek word used for how the crowd “wondered” is thaumazo. It appears 43 times in the New Testament, and it can be translated as “marvel” or “to be astonished.” How much more we will experience this word at our first sight of the new heavens and new earth that are to come (Revelation 21-22)!

“Jesus, we believe You proved who you said You were. Please come quickly.”

Day 23: Matthew 15:1-28

“‘Yes, it is, Lord,’ she said. ‘Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.’ Then Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed at that moment.”- Matthew 15:27-28 ESV

We need to set this passage up a bit. The Canaanites were the ones that Joshua and the Israelites conquered to secure the Promised Land. They were enemies for many reasons. Religiously they were barbaric, condoning child sacrifice and temple prostitution. They also symbolized what stood between Israel and what God had said was rightfully theirs.

Yet this Canaanite woman confessed Jesus as the Christ by saying, "O Lord, Son of David." This unlikely woman offers a primitive confession of faith before their interaction. She was persistent as well. So much so that the disciples were begging Jesus to send her away (her begging was annoying them).

In this account, Jesus almost seems insensitive and racist. I mean, He calls her a dog. Yet, she is unfazed. She says, "even the dogs," and this showed the extent of her faith.

Authentic faith doesn't quit with its incessant crying out to the God of the impossible.

It seems clear that Jesus was indeed not racist (or he would have sent her away). He was relaying the common thought of Jews about unclean Gentiles and allowing her faith to be put on display.

This is to be contrasted with Jesus’ previous interaction with the Pharisees, who had allowed their traditions to squish their compassion.

May we have the same "great" faith as this Canaanite woman. May we never cease to cry out, "Lord, help me!"

Day 22: Matthew 14:13-36

“But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.’” - Matthew 14:27 ESV

There were many times in the four biographies of Jesus' life where He didn't "make haste" like others wanted him to. His pace was not going to be dictated by others.

But Matthew uses the Greek word euthys or eutheos ("immediately") three times in our reading today. Below is how he used them:

• When Jesus dismissed the disciples (14:22).

• When Jesus announces Himself as He walks on water (14:27).

• When Jesus snatches the sinking Peter (14:31).

The first was about self-care (for Jesus and the disciples). The second was about calming the disciples' fears (He was, indeed, not a ghost). The third was about saving the now-doubting Peter. This leads me to ask three questions about the urgency in my own life:

1. Am I leading a balanced life that includes large amounts of prayer and proper times of rest?

2. Am I allowing fear to dictate how I live (which includes believing lies about myself and others)?

3. Do I trust Jesus enough to draw me out of impossible situations?

Jesus knows that we will put these off, allowing time for burnout, fear, and failure to take over.

May we act today, immediately, when it comes to these three questions, and experience the best life possible in this broken and frazzled world.

May we be urgent about the things that Jesus sees cannot wait.

Day 21: Matthew 13:47-58, 14:1-12

“And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.’ And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.” - Matthew 13:57-58 ESV

This goes to show us how ordinary of an upbringing Jesus had. He lived His first 30 years in such a way that it led everyone to believe that He was just another kid of Mary and Joseph. Though, maybe looking back, they could tell something was different with him not making a mistake at all.

It may remind us of the prophecy about Jesus in Isaiah 53:2: "He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him."

There was nothing about Jesus' appearance or family life that would have suggested He was the Son of God.

Yet this is why we have such an amazing Savior. He lived like them, like us. He experienced what we are experiencing. Jesus can honestly say, "I know how you feel.”

I pray that this doesn't make us think less of Jesus. I pray that it makes us love him even more. He was 100% man and 100% God, and He proved it with every day He was here in the flesh. He is ordinary and extraordinary at the same time.

The Greek word Matthew uses for “took offense” is skandalizo, and it can also be translated as “to cause to stumble.” May Jesus' incarnation not cause us to trip. Instead, I pray it draws us even nearer to Him.

Day 20: Matthew 13:24-46

“Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, ‘Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’” - Matthew 13:30 ESV

This passage covers one of the most difficult things we will face as Christians. How are we to obey Jesus when He said this about us, "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world." (John 17:16)

Sure, we can insulate ourselves from those in the world, only hanging out with Christians who think the same as we do. Yet if we do this, how will we ever have the kind of influence we want to have on those who desperately need Jesus?

We must grow together, but at the same time, we don't go together.

What non-Christians are you currently avoiding that you need to be engaging? On the other hand, what non-Christians have you been engaging and allowing to influence you negatively?

This tension will always feel like it should: uncomfortable. If we are too confident either way, we probably aren't doing it right.

William Barclay also encourages us to think whole life when it comes to this parable: “Judgment had to wait until the harvest came. In the end, we will be judged, not by any single act or stage in our lives, but by our whole lives.”

Father, provide us with opportunities today to lovingly engage with those that have yet to say yes to Your Son, Jesus. We know we aren't of this world, but we also know we are in it for the purpose of helping turn weeds into wheat. In Jesus' name, Amen.