"...no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep."

Matthew 10

"...no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep."

As Jesus sends His disciples out to spread the Good News, He urges them to take no money.  I think what is going on here is that first He does not want the disciples to be focused on earning money but instead on saving the lost - purely a matter of focus and everyone is worth saving regardless of who has any money or not.  Another thing I think going on here is that Jesus is giving them all jobs and He wants the disciples to know that ONLY Jesus will provide so their trust should remain in Jesus alone.  Also, while I may be reading into this perhaps I think Jesus wants us to feel blessed by blessing others and to enjoy the riches of this reward vs any monetary payment.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus You are incredible...that You love and bless me!  I am not deserving of all the ways You bless me...I am not even worthy of identifying all the ways You bless me because there are too many for my human mind to comprehend!  How great You are!  Thank You that You love me despite my apathy and neglect for You - that I don't run to your feet daily.  Please help me love You with all of my heart, mind and soul.

 

These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Matthew 10

These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. v2-4

What is interesting here is how Judas is introduced both as one of the twelve apostles but also as someone who betrayed Jesus....to me this is written this way to communicate how God uses even those who sin as part of His plan.  Although it is not clear, perhaps Judas was a great apostle before he betrayed Jesus.  Also, God redeems all sin for His glory.

My Prayer: Lord, You are pure and holy and sinless. Of course I am NOT.  I am full of anger, stress, anxiety, fear, impatience, all things I am guilty of today or very recently.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me be the man You intend for me.

Then he 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.” v37-38

Matthew 9

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he 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.” v36-38

 In v36, Jesus sees people as humans and he sees right through the "face" all us, myself included put up that mask our humanity.  Our humanity is of course a jumble of fears, concerns, sin of course, etc.  All of humanity craves love and craves peace....who does not crave fruits of the Spirit?  Yet we pretend we don't or we pretend have it covered.  Nonsense...speaking at least for myself.

I am in desperate need of both forgiveness and all that Jesus represents - the Holy Spirit, etc.  I NEED God in my life.  I also NEED to see this NEED in others and speak to people so I can relate to people according to their need...in other words serve them.  Jesus of course does this and urges us to serve others.  According to Matthew 22:39:

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are my great shepherd.  You see that I need to be led and cared for and provide this and so much more for me.  I am not deserving of the great love blessing You provide.   I am full of anger, impatience, harshness, etc.  I know You love me anyway so thank You but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me be the man You intend for me. Help me love You and others with all of my heart, soul, and mind.

Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.

Matthew 9

Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region

I am not certain why Jesus asked the two blind men to keep their healing concealed but after poking around a bit with commentaries and thinking about it, my sense is that Jesus just wants us to have our motives be pure when talking about the power of Christ.   We as humans often talk about things to bring glory to ourselves and of course the objective is to bring glory to Jesus Christ.  This reminds me of my post from a few days ago about humility....serve others and serve Jesus so that others see NOT us but Jesus.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, ONLY You are great.  As I read about a few days ago, Your creation is so great that it can be attributed to no one else but You.  You are the greatest of all time and always will be - Name above all Names, Lord of Lords.  And You lower yourself to serve all, including me, even to death.  I am not worthy of all the grace, love, kindness, patience, sacrifice, etc. that You provide and bless me with.  I am full of anger, worry, anger, impatience, harsh words, lust, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me be the man You intend for me.

But they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. News of this spread through all that region.

Matthew 9

But they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.  News of this spread through all that region. v24-26

When I consider the question whether I mock faith as people in this story did, I consider more broadly the question whether I am as respectful towards faith as I should be...and then I feel convicted for "blowing off" my relationship with Jesus" in that I don't study the bible every day or do devotions with Zach every night as I should or pray with Lisa as I should...all things I KNOW I should be doing but I come up with excuse after excuse as to why I don't need to do it or I can't do it and it doesn't matter...both positions that are sinful!  I am to love the Lord my God with all of my heart, soul, and mind:

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Matthew 22:37

My Prayer: Lord, only You are great!  You are Lord of Lords, King of Kings and Name above all Names.  You are worthy of worship because of who You are and specifically for who You are to me!  You blessed me beyond what I deserve.  I am thankful that You love me despite my anger, impatience, and my worry...but please forgive me for these sins.  Help me be that man You intend for me.

Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

Matthew 9

Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” v17

Clearly here Jesus is referring to a new life in Him and how it is important to view the law and the various Jewish rituals in the context of this new life in Christ.  Using the analogy of the new win in the new wineskins, our focus should be on growth in Christ and we should not restrain our growth in Christ by simply acting out old ways of doing things just because that is the law.  Our heart condition comes first.  If practicing spiritual disciplines such as fasting facilitates growth in heart condition...even better.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You ARE new life...and You are everlasting life...full of abundance.  How great You are!  I am not worthy of such love and blessing, again my sin lately has been my worry.  I thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me also submit ALL of my life to You.  Give me peace.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.

But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Matthew 9

But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’  For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” v13

Jesus' line about desiring mercy and not sacrifice really struck a chord with me today and I feel Jesus speaking to me on this.  I sense that Jesus wants us to have humility and a servant heart.  These are I believe core to other fruits of the spirit to be on display.  We are no better than anyone else and our sin is no less sinful than anyone else's sin.  If we remain humble we are better positioned to see others as Jesus sees them.

Of course there are other factors but I sense this is something Jesus wants me to more firmly grasp.

My Prayer: Jesus, You are indeed a great God, full of love, compassion, grace, patience, etc. for me.  I am clearly not worth this much love and blessing but You provide it anyway and then some.  Thank You that You love me despite my sin but please forgive me for arrogance, my harshness, my anger, and my lack of patience, among just a few of my sins.  Help me also be more like You Jesus.  Help me be and remain Your humble and faithful servant.

 

Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?

Matthew 9

Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? v5

My initial question upon reading v1-8 in this chapter was - why didn't Jesus heal the paralyzed man when He first encountered Him instead of just forgiving the man of his sins?

I believe Jesus does this because Jesus wants us to recognize a few key things, including (1) that grace and forgiveness are available to all people regardless of who they are, etc; (2) that our physical circumstances are less important than our spiritual condition.

Too often I focus on my physical (or more broadly my earthly) circumstances which ARE less important.  I worry about too much.  I really should only focus on being right with God and if I have this I should no reason to worry.  This is certainly easier said that done but nonetheless worth pursuing.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO full of grace and forgiveness for me and this is a tremendous blessing.  I am not worthy of the love You have for me and the blessings You provide.  I worry far too much.  Thank You that You love me despite my worry but please forgive me for this worry.  Help me love, trust, and obey You with all of my heart, mind, soul, and strength.

34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.

Matthew 8

³⁴ Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region. v34

Jesus performed a miracle by healing the demon-possessed men but then the town "pleaded" with Jesus to leave!  Amazing.  Why would they do this?  After thinking about it for a few minutes, I thought to myself that I often do this - when confronted with a truth I run from the truth.  I either say NOT TRUE , HIDE the TRUTH, etc.  

I need courage to embrace truth - in this case Jesus and everything He represents.  Life change, transformation, etc.  I should submit fully to Jesus because He is great, His ways are great, and His plan for me is great.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

My Prayer: Lord, You are indeed a great God - full of love, mercy, kindness, patience, compassion and more, for me!  I am not deserving of such rich blessing.  Thank You that You love me and provide such blessing despite my sin.  Please forgive me for my neglect of You and how I run from You.  Help me run the race with my eyes fixed on You. Help me trust and follow You with all of My heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Matthew 8

Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”  But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Upon first reading it was not apparent what Jesus was saying here - my first thought was that this man was just offering an excuse for why he could not follow Jesus.

I found this commentary which helped clarify this statement for me and it is very relevant to me as of course all of the bible.

Control of people and circumstances is a big deal to me and I currently in the midst of how I can give this to God and submit to Him.  I worry too much about this or that and should just trust that God can sort things out.

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God - totally in control and in love with and for me!  I am not deserving of such a great God.  I sin - I worry too much.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me for my worry and for my desire to have control.  I desire to submit to You....everything.  Please help me Jesus.

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

Matthew 8

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.  v10

 What is great about this story is, as Jesus says, the strength of the centurion's faith and the courage required to have such faith.  Although it is not explicit in the text, it is not likely that the centurion had ever met Jesus but had only heard about Him and this required great courage, particularly because he was a roman soldier - a man of authority.  I suspect not many roman soldiers at the time became Christians...I don't know for sure I just suspect.  

What is also striking, again particularly because the centurion was a man of authority and power, is that the centurion had great concern for his servant:

When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” v5-6

Such humility allows the strength of Jesus to shine. 

My Prayer: Lord, You truly are the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, You are the only God for me.  I desire no other.  You have blessed me beyond what I deserve and in many instances because I don't deserve anything.  I need You desperately.  Thank You that You love me even though You don't need me.  You died for me just so that I could have life, life in abundance.  Help me grow in my faith and trust in You.   

Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

Matthew 8

Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” v4

As I posted yesterday, listening and understanding of God's message is not enough.  I am to do as the Word says - I must be in action.  Similarly, the power of action is reinforced in Matthew 8:4 where Jesus tells the man He just healed of leprosy to "not tell anyone".  Instead, go to those who claim you were not worthy to be in the temple - go to the priests - and demonstrate this healing.  Words alone will only do so much...Jesus recognizes this.  In person testimony and evidence of Jesus' as Lord is more powerful than hearing of it.

In the same way, I am called by Jesus to SHOW how Jesus transformed both my heart and my life.  This is indeed a great challenge.  I fall down on this challenge yet I know that Jesus can help me with it...I must trust that it is only Him that can help me.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus You are indeed a great God and You have healed me, and transformed both my heart and my life.  I know how You have blessed me.  Yet I am not deserving of such blessing and love.  I have faith in myself more so than I do You.  Thank You that You love me Jesus but please forgive me.  Please help me grow my faith and trust in You. Help me give up control of all aspects of my life to You.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock."

Matthew 7

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." v24

Jesus says that the greatest commandment (Mark 12:30) is that we must love Him with all of our "heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength".  

In Matthew 7, Jesus provides another perspective on how this love manifests itself - through actions.  James says the same thing in James 1:22-24:

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror  and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

My Prayer: Jesus, there is no other God but You - You are the creator, the provider, the healer, the teacher, judge, protector, conqueror....and SO much more!  Yet, I fall short in my love for You...even so You love me anyway.  How amazing You are!  Thank You that You love me Jesus, despite my sin.  Please forgive me for my lack of faith, trust, and love of You.  Please help me Jesus...grow in my heart and my life Jesus.  Take over my heart, my life, and transform me so that I am more like You and more pleasing to You.