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God bless! Mike
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New Testament - Today in Matthew chapter 13 verse 54 we read about Jesus going to his hometown of Nazareth where he was raised as a child. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, as we know, but raised in Nazareth, where Mary & Joseph met and married and returned after their flight to Egypt after Jesus' birth. Below is a NASA photo courtesy of ebibleteacher.com that shows where Nazareth is located in comparison to Bethlehem and Jerusalem:
In verse 57 we read this when Jesus was in Nazareth: "Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor."" This verse reminds me that sometimes when we really move forward in our faith, our friends (“hometown” from the verse above) and our relatives can sometimes not understand what is going on with us. I think there are phases of our walk with God where really it becomes very personal – between us and God – and through that process God will transform us. And our friends and relatives sometimes may not appreciate our change for various reasons – just as Jesus’ friends and relatives did not appreciate his ministry in this verse. I hope that this verse can be of comfort to you if by chance you are having challenges reconciling your faith and your changed heart with your friends & relatives expectations of who you were in the past. Know that you are on the right path. As long as you are staying focused on God and his will for your life, you may have to accept some loss of “honor” (per the verse above) in your status with your friends and relatives. You may not seem to be as “cool” or “fun” or whatever as you once were in your friends’ eyes. But – if in God’s eyes you are loving Him with all of your heart and you are loving your neighbors as yourself, then you are eternally cool and fun in the Kingdom of Heaven. And that’s where it really counts. Where are you seeking “honor” in your life today? In the eyes of your friends and relatives – or in God’s eyes?
Today we read about the beheading of John the Baptist. I found this painting below by the Italian artist Caravaggio from the year 1610 titled "Salome with the Head of St. John the Baptist." I almost hesitated to post this painting up, but I think it's worth us considering. This is what happened to the man who proclaimed Jesus' ministry was coming. This is what happened to the man who baptized Jesus in the Jordan. And of course this brutality pales in comparison to what Jesus went through on the road to Golgotha. This painting below and thinking about Jesus' passion, suffering, and death just made me think that sometimes following God does not lead strictly to "health and wealth." But sometimes truly following God leads to suffering and poverty. But - and here's the key but - it also leads to eternal life! So, no, perhaps many/most/all of us will not go through what John went through in today's readings or in this painting below. But you know what, if we are truly following God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, I think we need to realize that this type of thing can happen. But if this type of thing happens while pursuing and loving Jesus with all that you are, then it's of course worth it because Jesus will raise you up on the other side!
Worship Video: Our readings today reminded me of the fantastic Charlie Hall song "Marvelous Light:"
Comments from You and Questions of the Day: Based on my comments above in Matthew, have you ever lost some "honor" with your friends or family as you've moved forward in your faith? If you did lose honor with your friends did you gain honor with God? Do you think you sometimes base your decisions more on what other people will think? Or do you base your decisions on what God will think? At times in your faith walk have you had to distance yourself from some old friends so that you can move forward in your faith walk? Has this been hard? Has it been worth it? 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 and also consider financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
In today's Matthew readings we go through 5 parables that begin "The Kingdom of Heaven is like..." Great way to start these parables! They do indeed give us a glimpse of what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. Do these parables speak to you as you read through them? I know they do for me. Sometimes in encouraging ways. Sometimes in convicting ways. I love verses 31 & 32: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants and grows into a tree where birds can come and find shelter in its branches." I think if we cultivate the seed that Jesus plants in our hearts - the Gospel - we will see an amazing plant grow that will ultimately bless others. From the tiniest beginnings, with patience and faith, can come the largest of plants. If you haven't yet, will you let Jesus plant a mustard seed in your heart? And will you be patient and allow the seed time & space to grow? And will you water and care for the seed of the Gospel planted in your heart so that one day it will be a beautiful tree of life for yourself and others you come in contact with? Will you allow Jesus to grow a mustard seed tree with your life?
I love the last 2 parables in today's readings! The treasure buried in a field and the pearl of great price. And the thought of being willing to give up absolutely everything to be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven. How about for you? Are you willing to give up absolutely everything to be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven? Is there a price too high that you would not be willing to pay? I will share with you this somewhat related tangent. I had this really interesting jog several years ago. And it was before I was a Christian, so I didn't equate my thinking with the "Kingdom of Heaven" at this time. But, here were my thoughts that night on the jog. As I was jogging I thought to myself - I am a "billionaire"! Why? Because I am blessed with this opportunity to jog, and to check out the beautiful night air around me, and more than anything because of this wonderfully complex thing in my skull called the brain. :) The brain that allows me to do all these things and to simply think and enjoy life. And I thought to myself - at what price would I give up the ability to use my brain? Would I sell my brain for 1 billion dollars? And the answer is obviously no - because there would then be no point to living in this life without the brain. So - I reasoned with myself, well - "Then I am a billionaire!" I have a billion dollar asset in my skull! :) I hope this isn't too random of a tangent. Maybe you'll realize that you are a billionaire today too though? :) To tie this back to the Kingdom of Heaven. Would I sell of my rights to the Kingdom of Heaven for 1 billion dollars. No. So - I guess then technically, I am a multi-billionaire now! 1 billion asset value for the brain + 1 billion asset value for the Kingdom of Heaven! The point being... or maybe the question to you. Which would you prefer - 1 billion in cash, or the Kingdom of Heaven? Is there any price you would place on giving up the Kingdom of Heaven? If not - will you pursue the Kingdom of Heaven with all of your worth? And will you then share this amazing "pearl of great price" with others around you?
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew chapter 13 titled "The Parables of Matthew 13" are at this link.
Worship Video: Today's readings reminded me of the beautiful Casting Crowns song "Praise You in This Storm:"
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 and also consider financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Matthew 12 verses 48 through 50 are powerful: "Jesus asked, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" Then he pointed to his disciples and said, "These are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!"" I read an interesting commentary that said that these words from Jesus were stating that spiritual bonds are as strong as physical bonds. And that in this teaching Jesus was paving the way for a new community of believers - the church! Very cool... Are you a brother and sister and mother of Jesus?
Matthew chapter 13 verses 11 & 12 are important for us to consider: "Then he (Jesus) explained to them, "You have been permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others have not. To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them." There is so much truth in these last 2 sentences. This is why personally I feel so blessed to be reading the One Year Bible each and every day - currently in my 18th year of doing so - and God-willing, for all of my years to come. I personally absolutely need the grace and wisdom that comes from being in God's Word every day - and truly, more and more understanding and knowledge of God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit does come my way I believe each day - even if (and especially if!) I am reading the Bible again for the 18th time. The repetition is not repetitive, but really allows for insights to soak in and to be revealed. I can't quite say that I feel like I have an abundance of knowledge... :) But - I know that I am on that road by reading the Bible each day and I so look forward to gaining more and more knowledge of God's story as I go. And - to grow deeper into relationship with God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit. So - the knowledge itself is great, but the relationship and peace and grace that comes from the Trinity - even better. I pray that you too see the value in reading the Bible each day and being open to Jesus' teachings so that more understanding will come your way?
Verse 22 in this chapter is convicting for me, as I have experienced this in my life in the past.... "The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the Good News, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life and the lure of wealth, so no crop is produced." .... and I still struggle with the "cares of this life" crowding out the Good News in my life today! I think in some ways this might be a life long struggle. How are you doing on this verse? Where is God's seed of the Good News being sown in your life? In the good soil of your heart?
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew chapter 13 titled "The Parable of the Sower and the Seed" is at this link and "The Parables of Matthew 13" are at this link.
Worship Video: Our readings today remind me of the song "Mighty To Save." Here's Laura Story performing the song live:
Please join me in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." Matthew 12:50 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you would do the will of God each and every day in your life. Pray that you would be Jesus' brother and sister and mother now and forevermore.
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 and also consider financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Jesus' teaching in Matthew Chapter 12 verse 30 stood out to me in today's readings: "Anyone who isn't helping me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me." This is a really really powerful verse if you think about it. And I think we then need to ask ourselves - are we really helping Jesus? Are we really working with Jesus? Are we really being obedient to Jesus' teachings for our life? And if not, are we then actually working against Him?
Jesus' teaching on the sign of Jonah in this chapter is awesome! In verse 40 Jesus prophesies His death, burial and resurrection: "For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so I, the Son of Man, will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights." And then the following verse is just so powerful and convicting: "The people of Nineveh will rise up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. And now someone greater than Jonah is here--and you refuse to repent." Do you believe that Jesus is greater than Jonah? And greater than Solomon? (as we read in verse 42) Do you understand Jesus' teachings? Are you repenting?
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew chapter 12 titled "Beelzebub or the Holy Spirit?" is at this link and "The Sign of Jonah" is at this link.
Worship Video: Today's readings reminded me of Matt Redman's song "10,000 Reasons:"
Please join me in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." Matthew 12:30 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray that every moment of your life that you would be with Jesus. Pray that you would be gathering people for Jesus' Kingdom in your life. Pray that you would never be against Jesus and never scatter his people.
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 and also consider financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Today in Matthew chapter 12 we read about Jesus' teachings surrounding his healing on the Sabbath. Note that in verse 14 the plots to kill Jesus begin: "Then the Pharisees called a meeting and discussed plans for killing Jesus." Why do you suppose these plots started at this point? I don't think it was this one incident per se that began the plots in and of itself - but it was probably a culmination of Jesus' teaching, preaching, and healing ministries up to this point that started murmurs and discussions and finally led to plots. I think Jesus' wisdom and power and popularity with the people were seen as a threat. Do you suppose that Jesus' wisdom and power and popularity with the people are seen as a threat by some in our world today?
I read an interesting commentary on verses 11 & 12 today: "And he (Jesus) answered, "If you had one sheep, and it fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn't you get to work and pull it out? Of course you would. And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep!" The commentary said that in this verse Jesus contrasts the worth of an animal with that of a human being. I think for most of us, we would agree that a human life is more valuable than an animal life. However - interestingly, not everyone in our world today feels that way. I recently heard a radio talk show host ask a woman if she saw both her beloved dog and a stranger drowning in a lake and she could only save one of the two, who would she save. And the woman basically said her dog - she hemmed and hawed about saying that straightforwardly, but basically she said her dog was her family... And so the stranger - the human - would lose out in that situation. What about you - if you could only save your beloved pet or a stranger (human) from drowning, who would you save? Who would God save? Do you think God places a higher value on human life than animal life?
I love the Isaiah prophecy in today's readings, summarizing the quiet aspects of the ministry of Jesus! Verse 21 makes me tear up to really meditate upon: "And his name will be the hope of all the world." How does this verse strike you? Do you believe that Jesus' name is the hope of the world? Is Jesus' name the hope of your own personal world?
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew chapter 12 titled "The Lord of the Sabbath" is at this link.
Worship Video: Matthew 12:21 reminded me of the Chris Tomlin song "How Great is Our God" with the line "Name Above All Names!" Please watch this video from start to finish. It's incredible to see Chris start with the piano only, then have the band play along, and to hear the crowd sing. Please feel free to worship along with this one!
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 and also consider financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Matthew chapter 11 opens up with Jesus teaching about the importance of John the Baptist's ministry and the transitioning from the old covenant to the new covenant, which can be seen in verse 13: "For before John came, all the teachings of the Scriptures looked forward to this present time." Basically, this could be rephrased that all of the Old Testament was prophesying about the coming of Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven. Do you believe this to be true about the Old Testament?
Verse 20 is a convicting one! "Then Jesus began to denounce the cities where he had done most of his miracles, because they hadn't turned from their sins and turned to God." This is something for each of us to really examine ourselves on. Have we heard Jesus' teachings? Do we believe in his miracles? And in light of these things - have we turned from our sins? And have we turned to God?
Today we read Matthew chapter 11 verses 28 through 30, which are amazing verses for each of us to consider, particularly if we are struggling with the burden of sin or the burden of worry or the burden of regrets (and the list could go on - you can fill in the blank for your life): "Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light." Is there something in your life that you are carrying on your own that is weighing you down? Do you want relief and rest from this thing that you are carrying? Will you give it over to Jesus? Will you seek rest for your soul in Jesus? Do you believe that Jesus can give you rest? Will you accept Jesus' offer of rest this very day?
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew chapter 11 titled "The Offer of Spiritual Rest" is at this link.
Worship Video: Today's readings in Matthew reminded me of the Aaron Shust song "My Savior My God:"
Please join me in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that Jesus would give you rest. Pray for Jesus to take all of your burdens. Pray for restoration in Jesus. Pray for your friends, neighbors, and co-workers that they too would come to Jesus, give Him their burdens, and rest.
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 and also consider financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Matthew chapter 10 closes out today with what might be considered some "hard teachings" of Jesus. I think what stands out in my mind in reading these teachings is that while Jesus is certainly the Prince of Peace, he also has come into a world that is full of darkness - and the darkness fights against Jesus' light. So, if we decide to align ourselves with Jesus, and his eternal goodness and light, the darkness will also then fight against us - just as it fights against Jesus. As students and servants of Jesus, we will face the same persecutions that Jesus did. And while this is certainly true, think about the alternative - not following Jesus... and not walking in the light of God's love. I'd much rather spend 1 day in Jesus' light than 1 thousand days elsewhere... How about you?
Verse 38 is the first mention of the word cross in the gospel of Matthew: "If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine." What strikes me about this verse is that Jesus is teaching that we do have a cross to bear. And we have a choice to make of whether we will take up the cross and follow Jesus. So, now may be a good time to ask yourself - what is your cross in your life? Do you think you know what it is? If not, will you ask Jesus to reveal to you what your cross is? And then, will you bear it daily? And will you follow Jesus daily?
Matthew 11 starts off with an interesting question from John the Baptist to Jesus in verse 3: "Are you really the Messiah we've been waiting for, or should we keep looking for someone else?" I read an interesting commentary that said this is the beginnings of where we see that people are starting to wonder if Jesus is really the Messiah, because he hadn't overthrown the Roman government. Many in Jerusalem were expecting a Warrior-King Messiah that would free the Jewish people from the oppression of Rome. And Jesus' ministry of "only" preaching, teaching, and healing was bringing up the questions of, "are you really the Messiah?" People were starting to wonder... Instead of the Warrior-King, they are seeing a Suffering-Servant, which was not what was expected. What do you personally believe the answer to John's question was and is? Is Jesus the Messiah?
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew chapter 11 titled "The Question of John the Baptist" is at this link.
Worship Video: Today's readings in Matthew chapter 10 and 11 today about Jesus remind me of the beautiful Jason Castro song, "You Are:"
Please join me in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32-33 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you acknowledge Jesus before men in all ways in all of your days.
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 and also consider financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
In Matthew chapter 10 Jesus sends out the twelve disciples! Verse 7 stands out: "Jesus sent the twelve disciples out with these instructions: "Don't go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the people of Israel--God's lost sheep." Gentiles are anyone who is not a Jew. Samaritans are a race that resulted in intermarriage between Jews and Gentiles after the Old Testament exiles and captivities - as we see in 2 Kings 17:24 - "The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took over Samaria and lived in its towns." The Matthew 10 verse 7 above does indicate that Jesus' disciple's ministry was first to the Jews, but soon thereafter the ministry and the gospel message clearly was for all people. As we see in Acts 10:34-35 - "Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right." And certainly as we see in the Great Commission at the end of Matthew, in chapter 28 verses 19 & 20: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Below is a Spanish wood panel painting by an unknown artist from the early 12th century of Jesus and the twelve disciples:
One interesting note on the listing of names of the 12 disciples in Matthew. Peter is listed first and Judas Iscariot last. We'll read various listings of the 12 disciples throughout the New Testament. And numbers 2 through 11 always vary in order of how the disciples are listed. But in all of the listings, Peter is first. And Judas Iscariot is always listed last. Below is a painting titled " The Sending of the Twelve" by Duccio di Buoninsegna from the early 14th century - (looks to me like Duccio only painted in 11 here... )
Matthew 10 verse 16 stands out: ""Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. Be as wary as snakes and harmless as doves." This is good advice for us today as well. Jesus is still sending us out today as his followers. And I do think this teaching is wise - for us to be wary and harmless at the same time. It's an interesting line to walk, but I believe a very wise one. I believe the only way to really walk this line well is through the blessing of the Holy Spirit. I don't think we can do it on our own...
Worship Video: Today's readings reminded me of Lincoln Brewster's song, "Everlasting God:"
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today and also consider financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
In Matthew chapter 9 today we read about Jesus healing in response to people's faith - the faith of the father, the faith of the woman, the blind men, and many others. It is amazing to remember that the Old Testament prophet Isaiah predicted these types of healings would take place in the Messianic age. Check out Isaiah chapter 35 verses 5 & 6: "Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy." This image below of the woman reaching for Jesus' tassels from today's readings is one of my favorite images of faith. Have you ever reached out in faith to Jesus like this woman did?
Verses 37 & 38 are so powerful in today's readings: "He said to his disciples, "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields." I think each of us can reflect on this teaching from Jesus. Do you agree with Jesus that the harvest is so great? And the workers are few? Will you pray to God for more workers for his kingdom work? Are you one of God's workers in his kingdom work?
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew chapter 9 titled "Authority Over Death" is at this link and "The Authority to Give Sight" is at this link.
Worship Video: Today's readings in Matthew 9:37-38 about the harvest being plentiful but the workers being few reminds me of the Brandon Heath song "Give me your Eyes:"
Please join me in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:37-38 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you would see the harvest in our world today as God sees it. Pray that you would be a worker in God's fields this year. Pray daily for your family and friends that don't yet know Jesus. Pray that they would come to know 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 and also consider financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
In Matthew chapter 9 we read about Jesus not only healing - but also forgiving sins. This is a power and an authority - forgiving sins - that only God could truly have. It is true that Jesus would be blaspheming, per the teachers of religious law in this passage, if Jesus was not God. So, perhaps for some reading this blog, this might be a good point for you to ask yourself: do you believe that Jesus is God? If this is your first go through the Bible or the gospel of Mathew, you may not feel ready to answer this question yet. But ask it of yourself now - and again as you continue to read this gospel: do you believe that Jesus is God? Do you believe that Jesus, as God, could not only heal the paralytic but forgive his sins as well?
In today's readings, Jesus calls Matthew (or "Levi"), the author of this Gospel, and a Jewish tax collector at the time of his call. Note that while Jerusalem was under the authority of Rome at this time, Rome would hire Jews to collect taxes from other Jews that would be paid to Rome. The Jewish tax collectors were allowed to keep a commission or percentage of the taxes they collected - however, they were notorious for overcharging and making more than they should have in their collections. As such, Jewish tax collectors were typically not allowed to be in the temple - nor were they even trusted as witnesses in trials. And this is our Gospel writer! :) (yes, I still trust Matthews writings - he, like us, was forgiven & changed after meeting Jesus) Below is a painting of Jesus calling Matthew at his tax collector booth - I love how Matthew is very attentive in this image toward Jesus in the midst of all the chaos around him. Are you this attentive toward Jesus in your life today?
In this chapter Jesus has a meal with "tax collectors and other notorious sinners." And the religious leaders ask Jesus why he eats with such "scum." I do hope that you see that this is such an amazing thing about Jesus - he will have a meal with anyone - the "scum of the earth" as one translation calls sinners who believe in Jesus in one of Paul's letters. Jesus loves the "scum". And he gets frustrated with the religious leaders who are righteous in their own eyes. Why the difference? I think verses 12 & 13 answer this well: "When he heard this, Jesus replied, "Healthy people don't need a doctor--sick people do... For I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough." So, this leads to some questions we may want to ask ourselves today. Are we spiritually healthy or are we sick? Do we need a spiritual doctor? Do we need Jesus? Are we sinners? Or, do we think we are already "good enough" on our own? Like Jesus, will we talk and dine with "sinners" in our lives today?
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew chapter 9 titled "The Authority to Forgive Sins" is at this link.
Worship God: Today's readings about tax collector Matthew and Jesus reminded me of Christy Nockels beautiful song "Waiting here for You:"
Comments from You and Questions of the Day: From our Matthew readings today, Jesus dining with sinners did make me wonder this question, which I posted above: Like Jesus, will we talk and dine with "sinners" in our lives today? Or, do we consider ourselves somehow "above" talking and dining with sinners? One thing that I have to be careful of - and maybe all of us do - is not getting myself stuck in the "Christian bubble" or the "Christian ghetto." Meaning, I think we can sometimes find ourselves just spending time, just talking with, just dining with our Christian friends. And then after a while find ourselves completely removed from the world that needs to experience Jesus' love and light and truth through us. I think we are called to minister in the world. Yes, there is a time and place for sure to fellowship with our Christian brothers and sisters. But, I think we do well to find some occasion to talk and dine with "sinners" (not so unlike ourselves, also sinners...) like Jesus did. So, how are you doing with finding time to talk and dine with folks who perhaps do not yet know God or Jesus? Do you think this is something you should be doing? 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 and also consider financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
