“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."

Matthew 13

 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." v45-46

When I read this, the first thing I think is "do I act like my faith is the most valuable thing in my life now and for the rest of my life?"

I am not so sure...perhaps sometimes but certainly not all of the time....wow...I need Jesus...badly...not only to forgive me, but also to help me turn from sin of not loving Him with all of my heart, mind, soul and strength.  I need to submit to Jesus all of my life, including all of that which prevents me from loving Him with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  This includes my job and career, both of which are causing stress and anxiety for me lately.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO amazing...that You love me, care for me, died for me, etc. I am not worthy of such love...not by a long shot.  I am full of anxiety and stress.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me...help me also turn from this sin Jesus.  Help me be the man You intend for me.

He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

Matthew 13

He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. v37-39

 What's great is God wants me to understand His word...so again he teaches in parables and He repeats His messages because repetition helps us learn.  He is the best teacher that ever was, is, and ever will be.  Yesterday, I had trouble fully grasping His message for me, so today...voila...Jesus explains Himself so that I can understand...what a great God that He is SO patient!

I can only hope that I am a righteous one as Jesus references here:

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. v43

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus...what an amazing teacher You are...so patient and empathetic...You want us to understand Your word and You take the time to help us fully understand Your word.  How awesome are You!  I am not worthy of such patience because I lack patience for others.  Thank You that You love me anyway, but please forgive me and help me turn from this sin.  Help me be the man You intend for me.

"Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn."

Matthew 13

"Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn." v30

This verse seems to be both a very powerful and a very complex verse.  I don't pretend to understand its full meaning, yet one meaning to me is quite clear: that sin exists, we cannot hide it, and that God will ultimately deal with it.

I certainly need to be mindful of the sin in my life, and not only pray for God's forgiveness regarding this sin, but I also need to ask God for help in turning from this sin.  Forgiveness is just one step with our sin...we also need to repent.  The dictionary defines repent as an action "to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life ".  Repentance may include forgiveness but forgiveness may not include repentance.

My Prayer: Jesus, You are the only being that is pure and holy...blameless and perfect.  I strive to be more like You but there is no way I can be You because You have been, You are and You will always be the one and only true God worthy of worship by all beings of all time.  You don't need me yet You not only use me for Your glory but You love me and You care for me.  What a great God!  Thank You that You love me despite my anxiety and stress.  Please forgive me for these sins and help me turn from these sins.  Help me be the man You intend for me.

When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart.

Matthew 13

When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. v19

Having sometimes struggled as to whether I should do both BSF or my own study, I have come to the understanding that both are needed.  BSF helps with "head" understanding but in my view is less effective for me in terms of hearing God's message specifically for me - "personal or heart" understanding.  

This verse in my Matthew reinforces that both are key. 

My Prayer: Lord You are a great God and Your Word is complete and perfect in its Truth and in its wisdom.  Of course there are so many other ways You are great and why Your Word is great.  My words are insufficient... my worship is insufficient for how great You are.  Forgive me for my lack of boldness and my lack of effort to be the best possible servant I can be for Your glory.  Thank You that You love me but please help me be the man You intend for me.

"But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear."

Matthew 13

This is why I speak to them in parables:

“Though seeing, they do not see;

    though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
For this people’s heart has become calloused;
    they hardly hear with their ears,
    and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
    hear with their ears,
    understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’ v13-15

Building on what I read yesterday, God is SO patient and caring for us His children.  God knows we are by our very nature sinful beings and sinful despite having read and heard Jesus' teachings and the teachings of the Old Testament.  God teaches us by providing vivid and clear examples of how we can apply the teachings and He repeats the messages in scriptures because He knows we need repetition.  What an awesome God and teacher we have!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You ARE so patient and understanding and You meet us exactly where we are with a caring and understanding voice that speaks volumes of the love You have for us.  You want us to be more like You yet You have patience and You coach us with the tenderness a little league coach has for his young players.  How awesome You are!  I am not deserving of such love and patience.  I am not patient myself with others and very often very critical of others.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please help me turn from this sin and forgive me Jesus.  Help me be the man You intend for me.

Then he told them many things in parables...

Matthew 13

Then he told them many things in parables...v3

Jesus cares for us like a good father or teacher does...He makes His teachings accessible and easy to understand.  He places his messages in the context of a story that so we can more easily relate to the teaching.  For those of us with children, we understand this method of teaching.  We are patient with the understanding of our own children and Jesus is too!  What a great and caring God Jesus is!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are such a caring and loving God....full of patience and kindness.  And accessible...we can reach You anytime and anyplace, You will be available for us.  And You will always teach us with great patience, understanding that we may need the same teaching many times!  How great You are!  I am not worthy of such love and blessing...I am impatient myself, especially with other people.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from this sin and all of my sin.  Help purify me and help me be the man You intend for me.

 

"For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Matthew 12

"For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” v50

Family holds a special place in the hearts of most....when friends come and go over a lifetime, family is still there.  In the same way, Jesus wants us to regard our brothers and sisters in Christ as family that will always be there.  We have a heavenly father, we have the church, and we have our brothers, sisters, mother, and father in Christ.  Note of course that there is a difference between our heavenly father, our earthly father, and our father (or any family member in Christ) in Christ.  We are all connected to the body:

¹² Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For we were all baptized by^[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. ¹⁴ Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.  1 Cor 12:12-14

My Prayer: Jesus, You are the Father that everyone should seek and worship.  You are always there for me and active in my life molding me and blessing me - all for Your glory.  There is no father on earth that can ever match You Jesus.  That You love me and bless me is amazing...I am not worthy of such love and blessing.  I am impatient, critical, and selfish.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me be the man You intend for me.

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

Matthew 12

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. v35

I must be mindful of the words that come out of my mouth as they reflect what is in my heart.  I know that I am a critical and selfish person at times and my words reflect this...if I can be more mindful of what I say and understand that my words echo my heart condition perhaps God can help me with my heart condition.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus...it is only You that can transform hearts, lives, and relationships.  I seek to be more like You yet I fall short all of the time.  Thank You that You love me anyway...please forgive me for my selfishness and my critical words.  Help me be more like You. 

"Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come."

Matthew 12

"Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come." v32

Holy cow - serious stuff!  This is of course consistent with the Ten Commandments, which says:

“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. Exodus 20:7

The Lord is full of mercy but His mercy has limits:

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. v30-31

I need to be mindful in living a life worthy of Jesus and speaking in such a way about Jesus that He is glorified.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus...You are SO full of mercy and kindness.  I have committed awful sins in my life and I will continue to sin - that is in my nature.  Yet You forgive and You redeem.  I am not worthy of such love and kindness.  I worry and I speak and think harshly of others.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me be the man You intend for me. Help me turn from this sin.

 

"...till he has brought justice through to victory."

Matthew 12

"...till he has brought justice through to victory."  v20

Here Jesus challenges the Pharisees, who in turn plot to kill Jesus.  Knowing that it is not the appointed time Jesus withdraws...even though clearly He could have beaten the Pharisees.  There was more work for Jesus to do on earth:

Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.  He warned them not to tell others about him. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

 

“Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
    the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
    and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
He will not quarrel or cry out;
    no one will hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
    and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he has brought justice through to victory.
    In his name the nations will put their hope.”  v15-21

I need to mindful of timing in my life - aware of how God is in control and it is His timing and His will that is important - and to submit fully to Jesus.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus...You are a great God - creator of heavens and the earth and everything in between and You have blessed me beyond what I deserve.  You have orchestrated amazing blessings and redeemed sin in my life.  I am not worthy of such love and blessing.  I fail to love and trust You with all of my heart, mind, soul, and strength.  I worry too much. Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me not worry.  Help me be the man You intend for me.

 

‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice....'

Matthew 12

‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice....' v7

Jesus references Hosea 6 where God admonishes the Israelites for an empty faith - one that focuses on head understanding and empty rituals where the heart is not focused on God but elsewhere. 

It makes me think of James 1:

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. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.  James 1:22-25  

I need to act and be my faith.  Similarly, I need to a light on hill: 

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the light and life - You are truth.  You are love.  You are the beginning and the end and everything in between....creator of all things and in control.  You are full of love and mercy for me...yet I am not deserving.  I am weak, harsh, and critical, among my many sin.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me and help me be the man You intend for me.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” v28-30

Indeed, Jesus is THE source of refuge, protection, peace, and rest.  He Provides a rest found nowhere else.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You have protected me from much and You have provided rest when I have been weary.  You are indeed a great God!  Thank You for such rest and for helping carry my burdens.  I am not worthy of such love.  I am impatient, angry, harsh, etc.  Please forgive me.  Help me be the man You intend for me.

"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

Matthew 10

"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” v42

Jesus wants us to love and care for everyone but here my sense is that He is focused on our fellow believers.  As Jesus is sending out the twelve to spread the good news of Jesus, he recognizes that His disciples (in particular the 12 apostles) will face persecution.  He knows that they will need to seek refuge in the arms of their brothers and sisters in Christ.  This is our call.  We are to love others by spreading the good news of Jesus Christ and to support, encourage, and minister to those that spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You love and care for everyone, regardless of whether they deserve it or not.  You love me...You died for me...incredible.  I have sinned and I will continue to sin...yet You love me anyway...thank You Jesus for Your grace, mercy and kindness.  Please forgive me.  Help me be the man You intend for me.

"Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it."

Matthew 10

"Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it." v39

If there was ever doubt that Jesus should be the primary love of our life...that doubt is dispelled here and in the previous verses.  We are as it says in Matthew 22:

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^{[c] 38} This is the first and greatest commandment. " Matthew 22:37-38

This is also stated in Luke 10:27, Deu 6, 10, 11, 13, and 30, Joshua 22, and Mark 12.  Clearly this is IMPORTANT!

My Prayer: Lord, You are the ONLY God and You are my God.  You are available to me anytime, any place, and for any reason.  You listen...and You are an active, caring, loving God that loves to spend time for me.  You have blessed me beyond what I deserve - I am not worthy.  I continue to have anxiety, stress, pride, arrogance, harshness, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me be the man You intend for me.

“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven."

Matthew 10

“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven." v32-33

Wow...intense stuff!  The extent to which we publicly demonstrate our love of Jesus says alot.  I have often thought this way...for example, when I go to lunch with people I know are not believers and I am ashamed of my faith so I don't say a blessing and thank Jesus for the provision of a meal.  I KNOW this shows weakness on my part - that I don't love Jesus as I should.

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind"...Luke 10:27

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God beyond what words can describe.  I DO love You.  Yet I don't love You as I should.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me love You with all of my heart, mind, soul, and strength. 

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matthew 10

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. v28

Anxiety and stress should not play a significant role in my life but they do...yet here Jesus gives me even more reason to not worry, to not have anxiety, and to not stress out:

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. v29-31

Jesus wants me to be on watch for Satan and to have a healthy fear of Satan but KNOW that Jesus is always there protecting me in my time of need.  Jesus is all that I need.  He knows all about me, all of the time and He provides for all of my needs.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, YOU are all that I need...in ALL circumstances You will be there providing for my every need...even though I might not even be able to recognize my own needs or what is good for me - You are in control and You love me...this is all that I need to know.  How great a God are You!  Thank You that You love me despite my worry, anxiety, and stress.  Help me Jesus give this up.  Help me be the man You intend for me.

"You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."

Matthew 10

²² You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 

Jesus knows what will happen to the disciples when He sends them out and He knows what happens to us when we stand firm in the Lord...He will ultimately save us either in this world or in heaven.  I never have felt threatened for my life regarding my belief in Jesus yet if I was I know I would at least get some comfort (hopefully great comfort) in knowing how Jesus will always be there.  We are not guaranteed an outcome regarding live or die in this world but we are guaranteed an outcome regarding if we stand firm He will save us from eternal damnation.  What a great God!!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed a great God.  You are always there to listen, to empathize, and to work in our lives.  You answer prayer, and You save us from eternal damnation.  There is of course so much more to Your greatness...my words cannot do You justice.  Thank You that You love me despite my sin Jesus - today I am full of harshness for others...my friends.  Please forgive me!  Help me be more encouraging.  Help me be the man You intend for me.

"But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."

Matthew 10

"But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."  v19-20

Through BSF and our study of Matthew, I am reading alot about the Holy Spirit and how the Holy Spirit is always with you.  This theme is certainly present in 10:19-20 when Jesus tells the disciples not to worry about what to say.  I really need to impress this in my heart because I need to pause when I speak so that I can ALLOW the Holy Spirit to speak through me.  Too often I am NOT quick to listen and slow to speak as encouraged by James:

"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry...]." James 1:19

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are always there not only to listen but to empathize, to speak to, and to be a comfort and source of peace like no other.  You are the Lord of Lords, the Name above all Names.  You are SO GREAT!  I am clearly unworthy of the blessing You provide DAILY!  Thank You that You love me despite my apathy towards You, my sloth, my impatience, my anger, my fear, etc.  Forgive me for these and my other sins.  Help me love You with all of my heart, mind, soul, and strength.