New Testament in a Year

Matthew 25:1-30
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Today in Matthew chapter 25 we read about the 10 bridesmaids and verse 13 certainly stands out as Jesus teaches: “”So stay awake and be prepared, because you do not know the day or hour of my return.”  What do you think it means in our lives today to be “awake” and ready for Jesus’ return?  Are you “awake” this very moment and ready for Jesus’ return?  One of the most important points of this parable is that when Jesus returns you won’t be able to barter or buy your way into the Kingdom.  (as the 5 un-wise bridesmaids tried to do).  You yourself will be ultimately responsible for your own spiritual condition!  Have you owned up to this responsibility?  Below is a watercolor by William Blake from 1822 of the parable of the ten bridesmaids:

Today we read in Matthew chapter 25 verses 14 through 30 Jesus’ “Parable of the Talents.” This story of the three servants has often been a parable I have struggled with.  For a long time I didn’t get what was so wrong about the guy who buried the money. “He at least gave back to the master the same amount he was originally given,” I thought.  “What’s so wrong with that?”  Well, as I read this parable again, the thing that really stands out to me is that this parable is not talking about simply money. . . but I think it is talking about our very lives and our time here on earth.  I read it now as if God gives each of us a certain amount of time to live on this earth and a certain amount of gifts and skills.  And then, we have to ask ourselves – will we simply just go through life very stably & comfortably with those gifts and skills – perhaps even just going through the motions and serving ourselves – to the extent that when God calls us home, we have really not produced much of anything in our lives?  What if we spend our time & gifts in such a way that by the end of it we haven’t really blessed or served others?   We simply give back to God at the end of our lives what God gave to us and nothing more.  OR – is it possible that God is calling each of us to do so much more with our lives?  Is God calling us to really use the time, gifts and skills he has given us for something bigger than ourselves?  Is God calling us to produce a great harvest of loving and serving and blessing others in our lives?  So that when we arrive at heaven’s gate at the end of our lives we will hear verse 21 from God Himself – “The master was full of praise. `Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’”  How about your life today?  Are you multiplying the skills and gifts that God has given you in your life?  Are you investing your skills and gifts in loving service of others?  Are you at least “doubling” God’s investment in you?

Great commentary on Matthew chapter 25 titled “The Parables in the Olivet Discourse” is online at bible.org at this link.

Worship Video:  Today’s readings in Matthew today about the Parable of the Talents reminded me of the fantastic Matthew West song called “The Motions.” Here are two video versions of this song, below. The first video is a great live version of the song. The second video is from a documentary shows Matthew going through vocal cord surgery, which is quite a scary thing for any of us to go through, much less a singer..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_cTzNCskJ0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d23mBY0nGY

Are you just going through the Motions? Click here for Eternal Motion!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Matthew 24:29-51
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Jesus’ teaching in Matthew chapter 24 verse 36 has always stood out to me – particularly when my friends today want to dive into conversations about “if” the end is near: “However, no one knows the day or the hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.” No one knows the day or the hour – only God.  Good for us to keep in mind. We’re not God. 🙂   For more commentary on “The Textual Problem Of oujdeV oJ uiJov” In Matthew 24:36″ at bible.org click on this link.  No, I don’t think oujdeV oJ uiJov is a typo.  🙂  Can someone tell me – is this the original Greek?  I think so.

Verse 35 is an amazing reminder that Jesus’ words in the Bible will outlast every single material thing around us today: “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever.”   Do you believe that Jesus’ words will remain forever?  Commentary on Matthew 24:40-41 called “Taken for Salvation or Judgment?” is online at bible.org at this link.

Worship Video:  Matthew 24:35 reminded me of the amazing MercyMe song “Word of God Speak.”  Here’s a video of some great images and Scripture verses set to this song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JK_6osCH74

Have you hear God’s voice? Click here for the Word of God!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Matthew 24:35 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you would read and study God’s Word each and every day knowing that it is eternal.

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  In today and yesterday’s readings in Matthew chapter 24 we read about the end times.  Do you do much study of the end times?  What are some books or resources or websites you could point others to, to study more about the end times?  I have to admit, I don’t think about the end times very much.  I know they will come, but I guess I feel like focusing on the end times too much might distract me from doing other ministry here and now.  How often do you think about the end times? Do you think there should be a balance of time and study when it comes to reflecting on the end times versus being active in ministry in our world today?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Matthew 24:1-28
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Matthew chapter 24 verse 2 was literally fulfilled in A.D. 70 when the Romans, under Titus, completely destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple building: “”Do you see all these buildings? I assure you, they will be so completely demolished that not one stone will be left on top of another!”

Verse 15 stood out to me today’s readings: “The time will come when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about: the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place”–reader, pay attention!”  Per Zondervan’s commentary, the primary reference in Daniel 9:27 & 11:31 & 12:11 was to 168 B.C. when Antiochus Epiphanes erected a pagan altar to Zeus on the sacred altar in the temple of Jerusalem.  Some believe this is a progressive prediction, which was also fulfilled in A.D. 70 when the temple was destroyed – and will also be fulfilled in the future by the antichrist. 

Verses 26 & 27 really stood out to me today as some very wise teaching’s of Jesus’ (well, yes, all of Jesus’ teachings are wise! :), which we would all do well to take note of: “”So if someone tells you, `Look, the Messiah is out in the desert,’ don’t bother to go and look. Or, `Look, he is hiding here,’ don’t believe it! For as the lightning lights up the entire sky, so it will be when the Son of Man comes.”  For some reason that little line, “don’t bother to go and look” really stood out to me.  Basically, Jesus is saying that if you have to GO somewhere to see the “messiah” in the end of days, it ain’t the messiah!  🙂  When the true Messiah Jesus comes again, you will know it without a doubt – Jesus will light up the entire sky!  What a beautiful thing to imagine…

Worship Video:  Today’s readings in Matthew reminded me of Danny Gokey’s song “Haven’t Seen It Yet:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1eMZiOJ0a0

Has God shown you His Glory? Click here for Glory!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on five verses of Scripture today: “Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” Matthew 24:4-8 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will not be deceived in the end times. Pray that you will keep your eyes and heart fixed on Jesus alone in all times and all places.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Matthew 23:13-39
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Today in Matthew 23 we read Jesus’ “Woe to you!” warnings and teachings.  Verses 25 & 26 stood out to me today: “”How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! You are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy–full of greed and self-indulgence! Blind Pharisees! First wash the inside of the cup, and then the outside will become clean, too.” These verses reminded me a lot of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus very clearly goes to the heart of the matter with many of the Laws.  These verses are such a strong reminder for us to guard our hearts – and what we let into our hearts – and the condition of our hearts.  Because Jesus is much more concerned about the condition of our hearts than the condition of our skin.  He wants to heal us from the inside out.  How is the condition of your heart today?  Will you allow Jesus to heal your heart?  To heal you from the inside out?  Where will you find true inner peace to heal you from the inside out?

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of Matthew West’s song “Truth Be Told:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4wYkS8Z3Io

Do you want your truth to be told? Click here for Truth!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.” Matthew 23:3 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you won’t ever neglect justice, mercy and faithfulness in your life. Pray for justice. Pray for mercy. Pray for faithfulness.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Matthew 22:34-23:12
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If you are into memorizing Scripture at all, Jesus’ teaching Matthew chapter 22 verses 37-40 is certainly worth memorizing! “`You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: `Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.””  So, I think it is fair to say that if you learn nothing else this year in the New Testament in a Year, please at least learn these 3 verses above. 🙂   However – I am quite sure you will learn these 3 verses and so much more this year!  Then, of course, to take things beyond just learning – we need to be applying the learnings from the Bible this year in our lives.  How about these two commandments from Jesus above – think you’ve learned them?  Now, can you practice applying them to your life each and every day?  How will you go about doing this?   How will you love God with all your heart, soul, and mind?  How will you love your neighbor?  Commentary on verse 39 entitled, “Is Self-Love Biblical?” is online at bible.org at this link.

In Matthew 22 verse 44 Jesus quotes and teaches from Psalm 110.  An interesting trivia note is that Psalm 110 is the most frequently quoted Old Testament chapter in the New Testament.  Must be an important Psalm, eh?   It’s a surprisingly short Psalm I think, in light of this trivia note.  We’ll read this Psalm later this year – or you can read it now at this link.

Matthew chapter 23 verse 5 is referring to exaggerated phylacteries: “Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear extra long tassels on their robes.”  From bible-history.com –  “Phylacteries (tephillin) are strips of leather to which is attached a very strong, square box made of parchment and painted black. The box contains four parts of the Torah written on parchment: Exodus 13:1-10 and 13:11-16; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21. According to Deut 6:4-9 two phylacteries were used, one for the head and one for the arm. These (called frontlets in Deuteronomy) were put on in such a way that one box rested on the head, between the eyes (seat of the mind) and the other on the left arm opposite the heart (seat of the actions and the emotions, denoting that one loves the Lord with one’s heart).”  This definition and a good picture of what phylacteries look like is at bible-history.com at this link.  And another image is here:

Worship Video:  Today’s readings in Matthew about the great commandments reminds me of the beautiful Chris Tomlin song “Praise the Father:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_SlSggkcqw

Do you Praise the Father? Click here and Praise the Son!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on five verses of Scripture today: “”Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”” Matthew 22:36-40 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you would love God with all of your heart, soul and mind each and every day. Pray that you would love your neighbor as yourself.

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  In Matthew chapter 23 verse 5 above, I don’t think Jesus was demeaning phylacteries in and of themselves – but, he was demeaning those that used phylacteries only for “show,” for the wrong motives – the wrong motive of people noticing us instead of giving the glory to God.  Which can lead us to this question in our lives today – are there any “religious things” that we do in our life just for “show”?  Just so that others will honor us?  I think this is such a fine line and something that we have to monitor all of our lives.  Are you monitoring yourself when it comes to your faith to make sure you are not doing anything for “show” or for the wrong reasons?  Have there been times in your past where you have done things just for “show” when it comes to your faith?  How did you catch yourself / notice that you were doing something just for “show”?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Matthew 22:1-33
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Today we read in Matthew chapter 22 the Parable of the Wedding Banquet. This parable has always been so convicting to me personally. It’s basically about a king preparing an amazing feast at a wedding banquet, and inviting a ton of people to come to the feast. But – the people don’t accept the invitation! They are “too busy” – taking care of their fields and their businesses. And I think about this parable in my own life. Am I sometimes “too busy” to accept Jesus’ invitation to be with him? Am I sometimes too focused on my work or my social life or other distractions? Do I get myself so “distracted” that I don’t spend time with Jesus? And in doing this, am I missing out on an amazing spiritual feast? How about you? Do you believe that Jesus is inviting you to spend more time with him? Are you “too busy” to do so? Do you believe that spending time with Jesus will actually be an amazing spiritual feast for your soul? Will you accept Jesus’ invitation to the wedding banquet?

In verse 21 we read Jesus’ famous line “”give to Caesar what belongs to him. But everything that belongs to God must be given to God.”  What you may not realize about the preceding verses is that the Pharisees and the supporters of Herod were trying to trap Jesus.  Per the OYB Companion commentary, The Pharisees, a religious group, opposed the Roman occupation of Palestine.  The followers of Herod – or Herodians – were a political party that supported the policies of Rome and Herod Antipas.  Normally these 2 groups did not get along at all – but they united here to try to trap Jesus.  If Jesus had said it was right to pay taxes to Caesar, the Pharisees would say he is opposed to God.  And if Jesus had said the taxes should not be paid, the Herodians would have had him arrested.  Jesus answer amazed them both…   Below is an image of the Denarius (Roman coin) of Tiberius Caesar. Tiberius (42 B.C. – A.D. 37) became Roman Emperor in A.D. 14. This would have been the picture on the coin shown to Jesus, when he asked in verse 20: “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”

Worship Video:  Today’s readings about Jesus inviting us to his feast remind me of the For King and Country song “Fix My Eyes:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Lol1tOMR3Y

Where are you fixing your eyes? Click here to fix your eyes on Jesus!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “”Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” Matthew 22:21 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that God would show you what in your life He would have you give only to Him.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Matthew 21:23-46
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Jesus’ teaching in Matthew chapter 21 verses 31 & 32 is convicting: “I assure you, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. For John the Baptist came and showed you the way to life, and you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to turn from your sins and believe him.”  This last sentence is so important for our relationship with Jesus.  Have we turned from our sins?  Do we believe Jesus’ teachings are showing us the way to life?  Do we believe that Jesus is who he said he was?  Do we believe that Jesus can heal us now and free us now from what enslaves us today?  And do we believe that Jesus literally gives us the gift of life everlasting?  Below is an image of “The Parable of the Vineyard” by John S. C. Abbott and Jacob Abbott from the Illustrated New Testament (1878):

Verse 42 is so beautiful as Jesus quotes from Psalm 118:22-23: “Then Jesus asked them, “Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures? `The stone rejected by the builders has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous to see.’” And Jesus – like the son of the farmer in the parable just before this verse – was rejected and murdered.  However, Jesus didn’t remain dead – he rose on the third day and today he is the cornerstone of Christianity.  He is the cornerstone of our churches.  And probably the biggest question each of us needs to ask ourselves – Is Jesus the cornerstone of our life?  Is he the foundation in our life which anchors and directs everything else we do?  If Jesus is the cornerstone of our lives, then indeed as this verse closes with, it is marvelous to see!  Commentary on the Story of Two Sons in today’s Matthew readings is online at bible.org at this link. 

Worship Video:  Today’s readings remind me of Rich Mullins’ song “I See You” sung here by Michael W. Smith:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-siEmwSB4sQ

Have you seen the Lord? Click here and see Him!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Matthew 20:29-21:22
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Month One – Today we wrap up Month One of our One Year Bible readings! Congratulations! Your marathon pace is looking great. The wonderful habit of reading from God’s Word every day is starting to settle into place in your life. Keep your eyes forward on the path before you this year and your eye on the prize! As Paul tells us in Philippians 3:14 – “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Let us each press on toward the goal!

Today in Matthew chapter 21 verse 22 we read these words from Jesus: “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.””  This is a powerful verse if you really stop and think about it…  Do you believe Jesus’ teaching here?  Do you believe that if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer?  I do believe this… but then there is always in the back of my mind – “but what about so-and-so who was ill and was praying in belief that they would be healed.  But then they weren’t…”   I don’t have any easy answer on this one.  I have to believe there are probably some good resources out there for this tough question?  If you know of any resources / books on this subject of prayer – or, more specifically, unanswered prayers – please post up in the Comments section below?  Thanks.

Whoo-hoo!  Today is Palm Sunday in our Gospel reading today!  🙂  Hosanna in the Highest!  Hosanna means “Save Now” – Amen!

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Matthew chapter 21 titled “The Triumphal Entry” is at this link.

Worship Video:  Reading about Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem today reminded me of the Christy Nockels song “Hosanna:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfeN__usTzs

Are you praising “Hosanna?” Click here and praise Hosanna in the Highest!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:22 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you would believe in Jesus unfailingly each and every day. Ask for things in prayer that you believe are the will of the Father.

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  It’s interesting to me how fast January seems to have flown by. February is now before us. I don’t know about you, but I set some big goals and resolutions this year and somehow I’m suddenly a month behind on progress on those goals. However, even though I am feeling behind on some goals for this year, I know that ultimately my life is in a very good place because I am moving forward with my relationship with God. Reading and studying God’s Word every day is a higher priority than any of my other goals and resolutions. Those other goals and resolutions can wait. My relationship with God cannot wait. As long as I am in a growing and loving relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, nothing else really matters. How about you? Are there some goals and resolutions for this year that you feel like you might be behind on? Do you agree that reading from God’s Word each day and growing in your love relationship with God is more important than those goals and resolutions?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Matthew 20:1-28
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Matthew chapter 20’s parable of the vineyard workers is one that I have at times had challenges with.  I, like the workers who labored all day, would think – “that’s not fair!”   Well…. but then I came to realize that I believe this story is a parable of Grace.  God’s grace.  And you know what – God’s grace is not “fair.”  And thank God for this being so!  God’s grace is so powerful and all-encompassing and life-giving and healing and saving.  And God’s grace is offered to me.  And to you.  And to our neighbors.  And to everyone.  God’s grace is offered to people that have sinned against God.  Me.  You.  Our Neighbors.  Everyone.  God’s grace is offered to people who become Christians early in their lives and live wonderfully giving lives.  And God’s grace is offered to people who become Christians on their deathbed after living destructive lives, but who finally repent and surrender to God.  God’s grace is given freely.  Like these workers in this story, we may accept God’s grace at different points in the “day” of our life.  Though, of course, some never do ultimately accept God’s grace and there is grave risk as the day grows longer…  How about you?  What part of the “day” are you in?  Have you accepted God’s gift of grace?  Will you do so today?  While it is still “today” for you?  Below is an oil painting by Rembrandt from 1637 of “The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard”:

Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 20 verse 16 has always been convicting to me: “And so it is, that many who are first now will be last then; and those who are last now will be first then.” I see the wisdom in this verse… but yet, I still think that I try to be “first” in many ways in my life.  I don’t like being “last”.  I like being honored.  I like being the star.  I don’t like being the servant.  I don’t like to be the guy supporting the star.  And yet, Jesus is calling us to be last.  To serve others.  To let others go first.  How about you?  Are you trying to be “first” in your life?  Or do you see the eternal wisdom in being “last”?  Continuing this thought of serving others – below is a painting from 1856 by British painter Ford Maddox Brown of “Christ Washing St. Peter’s Feet”:

As this chapter proceeds we read about Jesus prophesying his own death and resurrection.  And then, we see Jesus prophesy about the end of James & John’s life when their mother and they ask to sit at Jesus’ right & left in heaven.  Check out verses 22 & 23: “”You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow I am about to drink?” “Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!” “You will indeed drink from it,” he told them.”  You will indeed drink from it…  James ended his life being martyred for his faith in Jesus.  And John ended his life in exile on the island of Patmos, where he wrote the book of Revelation.  And I wonder again about us today…  sometimes we hear about the “health, wealth and prosperity gospel”, and think that’s what we’ve signed up for as Christians.  But… do you think that it might be possible that at some point in your life that you might be called to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow that Jesus drank from?  If you are called to drink from that bitter cup, will you indeed drink from it?  Below is a painting by Flemish artist Pieter van Mol from the early 17th century of “Jesus with the cup”:

The last 10 words of verse 28 remind me of the Passover Lamb / Jesus parallels discussed above in this post: “For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.”  Jesus came to give his life as a ransom for many.  Do you believe that Jesus came to give his life as a ransom for you?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Matthew chapter 20 titled “Workers in the Vineyard” is at this link.

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of Third Day’s song “My Hope is You.” Here they are singing it at their final concert ever at Red Rocks in 2018:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zebrk3yFoaU

Where is your hope these days?  Click here to put your hope in Jesus!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Matthew 19:13-30
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today in Matthew 19 we read some challenging verses about the Rich Young Man.  I have read some commentaries say that we don’t need to take Jesus’ words literally that each of us must sell all of our goods and give to the poor.  However, these words in context to this rich young man were indeed to be taken literally by him – and he knew it.  He wouldn’t do it.  Jesus called him to do this, I think, because the young man’s “stuff” was an impediment to his relationship with God.  Perhaps the young man literally valued his stuff more than God.  So – while the commentaries say that we don’t have to take Jesus’ teaching to this young man literally, I do think we should keep in mind that Jesus may ask of us something along these lines.  Jesus may ask us to pack up and become a missionary.  Or maybe he’ll ask us to leave a high powered, high paying job, to go serve the poor in our town.  Or he may ask us to not spend our money on luxury items, but to invest in micro credit loan programs in third world countries.  So – while this may seem like Jesus was asking a lot of this rich young man, keep in mind that Jesus asks much of each of us.  And really, Jesus simply asks us to follow him.  Will you follow Jesus?  No matter the cost?  No matter what you have to “give up”?  Will you follow him?  Below is a painting by Heinrich Hoffman from the late 19th century of Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler:

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Matthew chapter 19 titled “Wealth and the Kingdom of Heaven” is at this link.

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of Mandisa’s song “Overcomer:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8VoUYtx0kw

Do you want to become an Overcomer?  Click here to Overcome!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” Matthew 19:29 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will place your relationship with Jesus and spending eternity with Him above all else.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!