Matthew 20 - 4.4.25

Scripture: ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭20‬:‭24‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

Observation:

Jesus had a difficult group dynamic to deal with.  I’ve been watching “The Chosen.” What an eye opener this show is to the reality that the disciples being one big happy/perfect family is not accurate. Yes, it is a fictional account of real people and Biblical events, but wow, it brings them all to life. As I’m reading Mathew everything has a new perspective. He was the tax collector that was hated by the people, including those he is now partnered with. 

In this Scripture James and John’s mother asked Jesus for a special honor for her sons and when the other disciples heard they were indignant. Indignant is feelings of anger resulting from an unfair act or treatment. They were all wanting a special position with Jesus and fighting amongst themselves or doing acts to stand out and be recognized by Him. 

Jesus brings them together for a discussion. He points out how rulers of the Gentiles act, lording their authority over others. Jesus says plainly, “Not so with you.” This doesn’t imply you should act this way. It’s a command, most likely a scolding. He say instead those who want to be great should serve and even be a slave. Just as He is serving and he is going to give His life “as a ransom for many.”

Jesus is dealing with a group that is bickering and learning how to love. His patience is incredible. No wonder He needed to escape to solitude often.  They do grow to be a group that sticks together for the most part, but Jesus did a lot of work to get them there. 

Application:

As a teacher I am impressed with how Jesus took a group of people from different walks of life and built a team.  He was a living example of sacrifice.  I want to be patient like him and follow His example of bringing a group back to what’s important, serving others. May I not shy away from making bold statements like “Not so with you.” I want to make it my goal to teach others that the greatest among us serves. It will start with me being the example. 

Prayer:

Father God, Our world is constantly trying to hype us up on what it takes to be on top. May I focus on being like Jesus. He loved and paid the ultimate price, His life. He paid my ransom. I was in bondage and He freed me. I am so grateful for that gift. Lord, please give me wisdom as I lead, also an abundance of patience when quarrels break out. 

That you that you give all peace and wisdom.  Amen

- Cindy Howard

Matthew 19 - O4.03.25

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 10:16 NIV

“Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?””

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OBSERVATION

This encounter is shared in Matthew, Mark (10:17-20), and Luke (18:18-30).

Matthew tells us this man was young (vs 20) Luke tells us he was a ruler (vs 18) and Mark tells us he “ran” to Jesus and “knelt” before Him(vs 17). All three accounts share about his great wealth.

So, this rich young ruler ran to Jesus and knelt before HIM with an urgent question:

“Good Teacher”, “what good thing must I do —to get eternal life?”

This truly is the MOST Important question anyone can ever ask.

Where and How we spend eternity may not seem to matter much now—but the moment we take our last breath—the things on earth that we held so dear will NO longer have any value—and eternity will be a reality—coming—FRONT and Center.

Jesus extended an extraordinary offer to the rich young ruler “to believe IN Him and COME  Follow  Him”—as one of His disciples.

“Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect,

go and sell all your possessions and

give the money to the poor, and

you will have treasure in heaven.

Then come, Follow me (believing and Trusting IN Me)

‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭19‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

The rich young ruler went away from Jesus grieving and in distress—

Because he had great wealth. He did not have eyes to SEE the very real eternal kingdom to come. He placed his faith in the fading, rusting, subject to “theft and moth” destruction—temporal wealth of this world.

APPLICATION

THE —ONE—GOOD Thing —-we MUST DO to Get Eternal Life

God will never accept second place in our lives.

There is ONLY a First Place option. Savior and LORD go hand in hand..it is NOT a mulitple choice question.

Eternal Life BEGINS the moment we are Born Again (John 17:3). From that point on—

How we LIVE  each day will help determine the Words we hear from Jesus AND the rewards we receive in heaven.

“For we will ALL stand before the judgment seat of God [who alone is judge].

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.”  (Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭10‬, ‭12‬)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the FREE GIFT of God is

eternal life IN Christ Jesus—our Lord.” (Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

John records Jesus prayer as HE prepares for the upcoming crucifixion.

“After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.

For YOU granted HIM authority over ALL people—that HE might GIVE eternal life

to ALL those you have given him.”

Now this is eternal life:

that they KNOW you, the ONLY true God, AND Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

‭‭(John‬ ‭17‬:‭1‬-‭3 NIV‬‬)

PRAYER

Lord Jesus,

Thank YOU that salvation is about so much MORE than what we experience in this world. In fact, it really IS all about the world to COME. Thank YOU Jesus, that as YOU prepare to set up your Future Kingdom, YOU have given us gifts and treasures now so we may demonstrate our love for you AND alignment with Your Kingdom—both now and IN the one to COME. Give me eyes to SEE what it looks like to YOU—to partner in YOUR KINGDOM -and bring you glory. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Tina L Kudelka

Matthew 18 - 4.2.25

Scripture

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” (Matthew 18:35)

Observation

In the parable of the unforgiving servant, we see a man who owed the king ten thousand bags of gold. He deserved to be put in prison and have all his assets (and his family) to be liquidated, and the proceeds to be given to pay his debt. However, the king had mercy on him and forgave him. 

There was a man who owed him a hundred silver coins. He did not show mercy to his fellow servant. He forgot that the king had forgiven him his huge debt which was 600,000 times more than what his fellow-servant owed him! Instead, he threw him into prison till he could pay off his debt. His master heard of it, and cancelled the forgiveness of the debt that he had originally issued. He ordered that the unmerciful servant be put in jail and commanded to add torture to the jail sentence.

Jesus ended the parable with a grim warning that this is how our Heavenly Father will treat us unless we forgive our brother or sister from our heart (Matt 18:35). Forgiveness is a commandment, and not an option. If we want to be forgiven, we must forgive. Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us” (Luke 11:4). This includes the implicit caution that we won’t be forgiven if we won’t forgive those who sinned against us. Jesus made this very explicit when he said “if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matt 6:15).

Our forgiveness should not depend on whether the person who offended us has apologized, or has stopped hurting us. We need to forgive regardless. Jesus has told us to be wise as a serpent and as harmless as a dove (Matt 10:16). If that person is continuing to harm us, we need to take steps to remove ourselves out of harm’s way. However, we are not allowed to hold on to unforgiveness or any form of grudge. We are not to allow a “root of bitterness” to spring up defiling us (Heb 12:15).

Application

Let us examine our hearts to see if we hold any unforgiveness towards anyone in our life. All of us who have lived on this planet for a while, are sure to have incidents where we have been harmed, injured and hurt by others. Let us check if we have truly forgiven the people who have hurt us. If the memories of hurt are coming up with associated anger and pain, there is still an iota of unforgiveness still remaining. Let us ask the Lord to help us to forgive them just as he forgave us. And forgive them in faith, not by our own ability, not by power, not by might, but by His Spirit (Zech 4:6). When we sincerely ask Him to help us, He will help us to forgive in Jesus’ name.

Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for forgiving my sins. You took away my sins and erased them by your blood, you washed me clean and justified me, as if I had never sinned. Help me to show the same forgiveness to others who have hurt me. Show me if I am harboring any unforgiveness in my heart. Please shine your light on the hidden parts of my heart and expose any unforgiveness that I am holding on to. Help me to let go of it completely. Help me to forgive that person without holding anything back. I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13), and you will give me the ability to do what you have commanded me to do when I seek you. My help comes from you my Father, who created the heavens and the earth (Psalms 121:1).  Lord, I forgive everyone who has hurt me in Jesus name. I set them free in my heart and refuse to hold any grudge against them. Thank you for helping me. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George