Category Archives: Gospel of Matthew

2022, Christian Living, Gospel of Matthew

Quote It!

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Matthew 15

YESHUA didn’t mince words; He told the Pharisees and the Scribes the TRUTH. 
He even quoted Isaiah — they were well familiar with Isaiah. 

They did not like what He said. They didn’t like what He quoted to them.

He also quoted Exodus and Deuteronomy at the time recorded for us in Matthew 15. 

JESUS knew all the Scrolls of what we call the Old Testament and He quoted passages often. 

I think we His followers should too. 
Like we should get to know Scripture so well we can bring It into a conversation just like JESUS did. 

Verse 12. Do you know what we read there?
The Disciples went to YESHUA and said: 

12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?” source NLT

Can you imagine the scene? 

We are so like them, aren’t we? 
Well, some of us are. 
I am privileged to be acquainted with a few who are not intimidated if the TRUTH offends. 
I think all GOD’s Children should grow into this great LOVE. 

Yes. LOVE.
It takes LOVE to tell the TRUTH — especially when you know it’s going to sting, even flat-out hurt. 
But you know what?
HELL hurts, burns, and stings forever. 

2022, Christian Living, Gospel of Matthew

BUT . . .

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 Matthew 14

In verse 12, YESHUA is told by John’s disciples that John is dead. John was beheaded. Because he preached repentance, he was beheaded. 

In verse 13 we learned when JESUS heard this He intended to go to a place where He could be alone.
The GODMAN was affected by this news.
Deeply moved by this news.
Moved enough He desired to be alone.
No doubt in my mind He wanted concentrated time to pray and perhaps reminisce days with His cousin. BUT. 

13 On hearing about this, Yeshua left in a boat to be by himself in the wilderness. But the people learned of it and followed him from the towns by land.
14 So when he came ashore, he saw a huge crowd; and, filled with compassion for them, he healed those of them who were sick. source

He wanted to be alone.
He didn’t FEEL like having a crowd of people around Him BUT 

Look what he did. Read it again. 

He was FILLED WITH COMPASSION for them and He healed those who were sick. 

O to be like our Savior!
When we FEEL bad. When we FEEL sad. When we FEEL hurt.

When we are needed; when we see people we have been enabled to help — let us be FILLED with HIM and not ourselves. 
It’s tough but with practice yielding to HOLY SPIRIT, we can get better at it.

2022, Gospel of Matthew, It's a Bonus Post, Questions, Repentance, Salvation

What Do You See?

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I think if I could convince you of one thing; if I could encourage you, 
prompt you, get your interest piqued in one thing it would be 
reading Scripture.  
Even just a chapter a day. I would surely do that! 

The LORD YESHUA spoke the Truth Period.
He just spoke the Truth to whoever was standing by, whoever was listening. 

Listen in as we read this portion of Matthew 8.
You may have deciphered that I prefer in most cases for myself the Complete Jewish Bible for reading and studying.
I use others as well.
The New American Standard would be my next choice; I also like the New Living Translation for easy, pleasure reading; and, of course, The King James is never too far away from picking up.
For this time with you and this particular passage, I offer you a combination of CJB and NLT.

5 As Yeshua entered K’far-Nachum, a Roman army officer came up and pleaded for help.
6 “Sir, my orderly is lying at home paralyzed and suffering terribly!”
7 Yeshua said, “I will go and heal him.”
8 But the officer answered, “Sir, I am unfit to have you come into my home. Rather, if you will only give the command, my orderly will recover.
9 For I too am a man under authority. I have soldiers under me, and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! 
11 And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. 
12 But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

 13 Then Yeshua said to the officer, “Go; let it be for you as you have trusted.” And his orderly was healed at that very moment. source 

Yeshua – Jesus
K’far-Nachum – Capernaum

What do you see? 
A Roman Official. 
We understand Jews did not like Romans (and in the natural, they had reasons not to like them); they were Gentiles, you know. 
Now, imagine how that must have stung those hearing The LORD’s words. 

Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! 

Ouch! 
But notice JESUS said it anyway. 
Why? 
Because Truth hurts sometimes but Truth is what heals — when accepted! 
Did these? I don’t know. Perhaps we will find out in Heaven. 

Authority matters!
This Roman Official understood authority. 
He appreciated authority.
And this Roman Official recognized JESUS’s Authority! 

Not all standing there did.
Not all standing today do either. 

What else do you see in this passage?

East and West.
From all over the world people can and some have and some will yet come into the Kingdom of GOD, and they and we will be at that feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. 
How?
Same as the Roman Official.

TRUSTING JESUS. 

I hope this has helped you.
And if you have been helped  — honor JESUS and help others. 

Thank you for visiting with me today. 

 

2022, Gospel of Mark, Gospel of Matthew, Questions

Just Go For the Relief

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I think I don’t have a lot to say tonight for Thursday morning.

Mark 15: 23 and they gave him wine spiced with myrrh, but he didn’t take it. source

JESUS is a Man of His Word. 

Matthew 26: 29 I tell you, I will not drink this ‘fruit of the vine’ again until the day I drink new wine with you in my Father’s Kingdom.” source

Do you see it? 

Until the day I drink new wine with you in my Father’s Kingdom. 

Even in indescribable physical pain, He refused what could have at least dulled the throbbing a little.
Why?
Perhaps there are reasons far deeper than I am presenting here but Keeping His Word is pretty big to me.
You see I think we fallen humans often dismiss statements we have previously made when those restrictive conditions later get in the way of our comfort and we just go for the relief.
GOD doesn’t do that. 

GOD keeps His Word period!
Aren’t you glad?