February 22, Acts 7:1-29

Summary:  This is the first half of the longest recorded sermon in Acts, in which Stephen recounts the history of God’s dealings with Israel.

Significant verse:  “And he supposed that his brethren understood that God was granting them deliverance through him, but they did not understand”. (Acts 7:25)  Stephen is drawing a parallel between the Jews’ rejection of Moses and the later prophets, and their rejection of Jesus, the Messiah.

Subtlety:  Stephen, in his sermon, links Joseph and Moses.  Both of these heroes of Jewish history were initially rejected, but later accepted, as saviors of their people.  Jesus was rejected the first time He came, but will be accepted by the Jews when He returns.  (Romans 11:26)

Statute for living:  Beware of rejecting or ignoring God’s messengers and His message! 

Supplication:  Help me, Lord, to be brave like Stephen and boldly share your truth, even in hostile environments.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

February 21, Acts 6

Summary:  Since the early church had a large church-charity sharing program, administering it fairly began to be a problem.  The apostles decided to appoint seven deacons to administer the food program.  Two of those seven deacons figure in following stories in Acts; Stephen, a good debater and defender of the faith, is the key figure in the very next story.  Frustrated by his debating skills, the Sanhedrin, the council of religious leaders, arrested him.  The next chapter details his defense.

Significant verse:  “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”  (Acts 6:4)  The apostles appointed the deacons to do the food ministry, so the apostles could stick to the prayer and the Word.  Prayer and the Word are the two foundational spiritual disciplines.

Subtlety:  The quarrel which prompted the appointment of the seven deacons was about Greek-speaking Jews, Jews from foreign countries, who felt they were being short-changed.  All seven of the deacons have Greek names!  They were chosen specifically to address the perceived bias.

Statute for living:  God sees people as people, not as races or nationalities.  We need to see them as He does.

Supplication:  Help me, Lord, to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, like the seven original deacons, and to be charitable, like the early church.  In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

February 20, Acts 5:12-42

Summary:  The apostles’ miracle-working power, displayed in the previous story about Ananias and Sapphira, was also used to heal many people and to validate the Gospel message.  Many people became believers in Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ, which aroused the jealousy of the religious leaders.  Those leaders put the apostles in jail, but an angel let them out and sent them back to preaching!

Upon being re-arrested, the apostles boldly preached to the Sanhedrin, the council of religious leaders.  Upon being advised not to fight against God, the Sanhedrin had them flogged, ordered them to be silent about Jesus, and let them go.  They went out, thanked God for the privilege of suffering for Him, and continued preaching Jesus as the Christ!

Significant verse:  “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross.  He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”  (Acts 5:30-31) These two verses give a concise yet complete summary of the apostles’ teaching.

Subtlety:  The phrase Peter used of Jesus’ crucifixion is significant.  He said the religious leaders killed Jesus by hanging Him on a tree.  (The word here isn’t the usual word for cross, but the word “wood”, or “tree.”  It’s the word used of the tree of life in Revelation 2 & 22.)  In Moses’ law, Deuteronomy 21:23, we are told that everyone who is hung on a tree is cursed.  The One Whom the Sanhedrin had condemned to a cursed death rose to be the Prince of Life, after bearing our curse.  (See Galatians 3:13.)

Statute for living:  The religious leaders’ motive for imprisoning the apostles was jealousy.  Do you allow jealousy to corrupt your life and your actions? 

Supplication:  Thank You, Lord Jesus, that you bore my curse.  Help me to be true to You, regardless of the cost.  Amen. 

February 19, Acts 4:32-5:11

Summary:  Although there is a chapter break in the middle, this passage is all one story.  The set-up for the story describes the early church’s practice of caring for each other’s needs by sharing in all things.  This was necessary because the religious leaders had excluded the Christians from being able to participate in the community.  Barnabas generously gave the proceeds of a real estate sale to the church, and a couple in the church evidently noticed the good response he got and wanted something similar.

That couple, Ananias and Sapphira, gave some of the proceeds of a sale, but pretended it was the whole amount!  Peter, supernaturally informed of their deceit, pronounced judgment on them, and they both died.  The church was scared straight!

Significant verse:  “And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.”  (Acts 4:33)  The basic message of the apostles was communicating that Jesus didn’t stay dead, a fact to which they were eyewitnesses.

 Subtlety:  Note that verses three and four in chapter five describe Ananias lying to the Holy Spirit, and to God.  It is impossible to lie to a “force” or an inanimate object.  The Holy Spirit is a person, and He is God!

Statute for living:   Lying is seriously sinful!  God is truth, and He judges liars.

Supplication:  Father God, help me to be truthful in all I do.  Help me to do good deeds for Your sake, not for the “atta-boys” I get from other people.  In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

February 18, Acts 4:1-31

Summary:  In the previous chapter, Peter and John healed a lame beggar in the temple courts, and preached Christ to the resulting crowd.  This chapter details their arrest and trial for the “crime” of healing a lame man!  They boldly witnessed to the religious leaders, and were eventually released.  Upon returning to the gathering of Christians, they all prayed for boldness, and God encouraged them, and answered their prayer, by manifestations of the Holy Spirit.

Significant verse:  “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”  (Acts 4:12)  Jesus is the only way to God.  We must tell others about Him, or we are leaving people in darkness.

Subtlety:  The Jewish council before which Peter and John were tried was called the Sanhedrin. It consisted of 70 religious leaders plus the high priest, for a total of 71.  This was the same group who had condemned Jesus to death, and they were angry that Peter and John had healed the lame man through Jesus’ power, and were preaching Jesus.  The Sanhedrin tried to shut down the Christians in the next two chapters, and put the Apostle Paul on trial in chapter 22.

Statute for living:  Peter and John bluntly told the Sanhedrin that they were under obligation to a higher authority.  (v. 19-20)  We are subject to and we are to obey earthly authorities.  But when their mandates directly contradict God’s we must obey the higher authority, that is, obey God.

Supplication:  Father, as the early church prayed for boldness, so do I.  Help me to boldly share the truth about Jesus with people who have not yet gotten right with God.  Give me courage, so circumstances, social pressures, and fear of rejection don’t silence me.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

February 17, Acts 3

Summary:  Peter and John went to the temple at the afternoon prayer-time, and met a lame beggar.  They had no money to give him, but they healed him in Jesus’ name!  Naturally a crowd gathered, and Peter took the opportunity to preach to the crowd.  It was his standard sermon: Jesus crucified, risen, and available to us for salvation, if we repent!  The story continues in the next chapter.

Significant verse:  “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”  (Acts 3:19)  The challenge, the invitation, is to repent, to turn to God through faith in Jesus.  He will wipe away your sins and enable you to live with a clear conscience.

Subtlety:  There are a couple of interesting things in the original Greek wording.  First, we know from Colossians 4:14 that Luke, the author of Acts, was a Doctor.  His medical description of the lame man’s healing is very specific.  The lame man’s feet (the Greek word specifically refers to the back portion of a foot) and ankle bones were strengthened, and he leaped up and was walking.

Second, in verse 19, where the promise of forgiveness is given, the original literally says that our sins will be blotted out!  The blood of Jesus blots out our sins, getting rid of them.

Statute for living:  Peter and John had faith to heal the lame man, they also were alert to take advantage of the opportunity to preach the Gospel.  Look for an opportunity to pray with someone in need, and share Christ with them!

Supplication:  Lord Jesus, thank You that just as you had something better than money for the lame man, you have eternal blessings, not just here-and-now blessings, for me.  Help me to have a big faith in You, and expect great things from You, for Your glory.  Amen.

February 16, Acts 2:22-47

Summary:  Most of this passage is Peter’s sermon.  It includes the basic truths that comprise most of the sermons in Acts. They are: Jesus, crucified and risen from the dead, according to prophecy, is God’s Messiah.  Those who turn to Him and believe in Him will be forgiven and will receive the Holy Spirit.

After Peter’s sermon, people responded and were saved.  The chapter closes with a brief description of the early church, and how they operated as a community.

Significant verse:  “Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”  (Acts 2:38)  This command and promise still stands; will you respond?

Subtlety:  What does it mean to repent?  The original word means to change your mind.  As it’s used in the New Testament, repentance means turning from sin to righteousness, from self to God, from idolatry to true worship.  It’s something we all should do whenever we sin!

Statute for living:  Verse 42 lists the priorities of the early church: the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer.  Are those your priorities?  How much of your week do you spend learning about God, fellowshipping with other learners, and worshipping Him?

Supplication:  Thank you, Lord Jesus, that You entered history, lived as a man, were crucified in my place, and didn’t stay dead!  Help me to repent, to change my mind and my life, and to live for You.  Fill me with Your Holy Spirit.  Thank You, Amen.

February 15, Acts 2:1-21

Summary:  Jesus had told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for God to empower them.  (1:4)  They obeyed His instruction, and were in Jerusalem praying together on the day of Pentecost.  Their prayer meeting was interrupted!  A sound like a wind filled the room, and other manifestations soon followed.  The disciples received the ability to praise God in other languages.  They apparently transitioned outside, or perhaps to the temple courts, and observant Jews from other countries heard and understood the languages they were speaking.  When they were mocked, Peter stood up to explain the event, tying it in to a prophecy from the Old Testament prophet Joel.

Significant verse: “And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  (Acts 2:21)  Salvation is still available to anyone who calls on Jesus.

Subtlety:  The feast of Pentecost, which occurred fifty days after Passover, was a second celebration of the harvest.  (The first was the feast of first-fruits.)  It represented God’s blessing on His people, and God’s presence with His people.  The Holy Spirit is God’s presence with us now.

Statute for living:  The most basic and simplest command Jesus left His disciples was simply to wait in Jerusalem until they were empowered.  If they had disobeyed, they would have missed out!  Are you where God wants you to be?  Is there some place or some relationship to which God wants you to return?  Are you where you should be on Sunday mornings?  (Pentecost always fell on a Sunday!)

Supplication:  Father God, thank you for Your Holy Spirit, who empowers Your people today.  Help me not to grieve Him, but to be empowered by Him, in my activities today.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

February 14, Acts 1

(Sequence note: Since Mark, which follows Matthew, contains much of the same material as Matthew, for reading purposes it’s helpful to read another portion of the Bible next, and later read Mark.  Acts continues from where Matthew ends, we’ll read it next.)

Summary:  The book of Acts describes some of what happened to the disciples and early Christians after Jesus went into heaven.  The first story in Acts describes His ascension, coupled with a promise of His return, just as He went.  The next scene in the book shows us the disciples selecting a replacement for Judas, who had hanged himself after betraying Jesus.

Significant verse:  “…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”  (Acts 1:8)  The disciples’ task, (and ours!) is to be Jesus’ representatives throughout the world.

Subtlety:  Theophilus, to whom the book of Acts is dedicated, is also mentioned in the introduction to Luke.  This, and some other clues, tells us that Luke also wrote the book of Acts.

Statute for living:  The angels, addressing the disciples after Jesus had gone up into heaven, told them not to stand around looking up, but also told them He would return!  We should be busy being His witnesses while He is gone, but we should anticipate His return.

Supplication:  Lord Jesus, I look forward to the time when You will come back, in the clouds, just as You went.  Help me to be busy about Your business until that day! Amen. 

February 13, Matthew 28

Summary:  Jesus’ death is NOT the end of the story!  Jesus didn’t stay dead!  This chapter relates Jesus’ resurrection, a few of the witnesses to His resurrection, and the cover story, enforced by bribery, that His religious enemies concocted in light of His resurrection.  At the end of the chapter, as a postlude to the book, we have Jesus’ final command, to go into all the world and make disciples.

Significant verse:  “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:18b-20)  This is the commission Jesus left for us to carry out while we await His return.

Subtlety:  The English wording of Jesus’ commission somewhat obscures what the main command is, but it is made crystal-clear by the wording in the original Greek.  The command verb, the imperative, in the original is to make disciples.  Going, baptizing, and teaching are all descriptors which help us understand how we should go about making disciples.

Statute for living:  We need to be, and help others to be, followers of and learners from Christ.  We can make disciples because we are under His authority!  It is because He is our authority that we have His power to change our lives, and help others change also.

Supplication:  Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your promise to be with me always.  Help me to walk with you, to be in submission to Your authority, and to help others be your followers too!  Amen. 

February 12, Matthew 27:45-68

Summary:  Jesus’ final three hours on the cross were hours of supernatural darkness, from noon to three PM.  God Himself was in mourning.  Jesus cried out, with words from Psalm 22, “My God, why have You forsaken me?” He accepted some of the sour wine to fulfill a prophecy, cried out again, and died.  There were many supernatural events as He died, convincing even the Roman officer who had overseen the execution.

A rich man gave Jesus a rich man’s burial, in his own tomb, also in fulfillment of prophecy.  (Isaiah 53:9)  The women who mourned for Him, including His mother, observed the place where He was buried.  Meanwhile, Jesus’ enemies persuaded Pilate to seal and guard the tomb against intruders.

Significant verse:  “Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’”  (Matthew 27:54)  The events surrounding Jesus’ death were so awesome, the hardened Roman executioner became convinced He was the Son of God.  Are you convinced?  What would it take to convince you?

Subtlety:  What’s with the torn veil? (v. 51) The veil was a large and heavy curtain that separated the two inner portions of the temple.  It hid the most holy place, the place only the priest could enter, only once per year, from sight.  It represented the separation between sinful men and the Holy God.  When Jesus died, paying the price for our sins, the veil was supernaturally torn in half, from top to bottom.  God was making it plain that the divide between us and Him had been bridged; Jesus’ cross was that bridge.  No longer do we need to come through the temple, with animal sacrifices.  We can come directly to God, in Jesus’ name.

Statute for living:  Jesus paid the ultimate price to make it possible for us to relate to God.  Have you appropriated His payment for your sins?  If so, how often do you take advantage of the opportunity to relate to Him, through prayer and reading His Word?

Supplication:  Lord Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God.  Thank You for dying for my sins, and opening the way to relationship with God.  Please draw me deeper into that relationship.  Amen. 

February 11, Matthew 27:27-44

Summary:  The events described in this passage are among the grimmest in the Bible.  An innocent man, but more than a man, Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah, was tortured to death.  He had already been scourged, probably beaten to a bloody pulp.  (v. 26)  Then the Roman soldiers mocked Him with a robe in the royal color, a crown of thorns, and a fake scepter.  Men condemned to crucifixion were desperate, with nothing to lose.  To keep them under control, they were led out to their death with their arms already tied to the beam which would become the crossbar of their cross.  Jesus, already badly abused, couldn’t make it, so the soldiers grabbed someone out of the crowd and made him carry the crossbar.

At the beginning of His final ordeal, Jesus rejected the pain-deadening sour wine, but took some at the end to fulfill prophecy.  The mocking by His enemies, the treatment of His belongings, the fact that He hung between criminals, all fulfilled prophecy as well. 

Significant verse:  And above His head they put up the charge against Him which read, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”  (Matthew 27:37)  Crucified criminals had a placard stating what their crime had been: murder, treason, etc.  Jesus, innocent of any crime, was correctly identified by His enemies as the King who had been predicted, the Messiah.  Although they didn’t believe it, it was true!

Subtlety:  Matthew, our narrator, simply states “When they had crucified Him.”  (v. 35)  There is indescribable agony behind those five words!  The victim, already bound to a crossbar, was thrown down onto a post that would be the vertical of the cross.  The bar was fastened to the post, then the victim’s wrists and feet were nailed to the cross, through the nerves and tendons.  Next the cross was raised and dropped into a waiting hole.  The victim would have to pull himself up to breathe, dragging his scourged back against the cross, pulling and pushing on the pierced hands and feet.  Despite the agony, death was slow, sometimes days in coming.

Statute for living:  Jesus went through that agony for you and me!  He paid the penalty for our sin.  To appropriate that payment for ourselves, we need to believe in Him, serve Him, and get to know Him.

Supplication:  Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being willing to suffer in my place.  I commit and recommit my life to You.  In light of what you did for me, help me to live for You.  Amen. 

February 10, Matthew 27,1-26

Summary:  Whatever Judas expected when he betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders, he was taken aback and shocked when Jesus was condemned to death.  Judas made a half-hearted attempt to make amends by returning the money, then committed suicide.  The religious leaders’ hair-splitting decisions about what to do with the money not only revealed their hypocrisy, but fulfilled detailed prophesy. (Zechariah 11:12-13)

It was illegal to hold religious trials at night, so early in the morning the council of religious leaders got together to formally ratify the decision they had made during the night, then took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor, and demanded His death.  Knowing Jesus was innocent, and having been warned by his wife, Pilate tried to get out of it, but he was a weak man and a poor politician, and eventually gave in.

Significant verse:  For he knew that because of envy they had handed Him over.  (Matthew 27:18)  Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent.  Jesus was, in fact, the most innocent man who ever lived!

Subtlety:  There’s a note of bitter irony in the amount for which Judas betrayed Jesus.  The going rate for a man was fifty shekels, for a woman it was thirty.  (Leviticus 27:3) Judas sold Jesus for half-price!

Statute for living:  Pilate condemned an innocent man to death, knowing Him to be innocent, because of political pressure and fear of losing his position.  Is pressure from people around you enough to make you do wrong?

Supplication:  Lord Jesus, help me to stand for what is right, no matter what pressures may be in the situation.  Amen. 

February 9, Matthew 26:57-75

Summary:  After His arrest, Jesus was immediately tried.  Piecing together the accounts in the four Gospels, we find that there were actually six separate hearings in His trial, three religious and three before the Roman authorities.  The account here describes Jesus being accused, accosted, and assaulted before Caiaphas, the high priest, during the second of the religious trial hearings.

The next story tells how Peter denied Jesus three times, in fulfillment of Jesus’ prediction, even though he had vehemently insisted he would be true to Jesus to the death!

Significant verse:  Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64) Jesus is Who He said He is, and He is coming back to judge the earth!  Are you ready?

Subtlety: The word “adjure” isn’t a word, or even a concept, that is very well-known in our culture.  It means to place someone under oath and legally require an answer.  There was no right to remain silent in the legal system of Moses’ law!  The high priest had the authority to place individuals, or entire communities, under oath and demand that they come forward with information. (See Leviticus 5:1.) For most of His questioning, Jesus remained silent, but when the high priest adjured Him to state whether He was the Christ, the Messiah, He responded.  He acknowledged and submitted to the priest’s authority to demand an answer under oath.

Statute for living:  Peter was sitting outside, with Jesus’ enemies.  That’s what got him into trouble.  Inside, the leaders were looking for witnesses about Jesus, why didn’t Peter volunteer to testify?  The obvious answer is that he was afraid, but taking the “safe” course of action wasn’t safe!

Supplication:  Lord Jesus, help me to stay close to You, no matter what, so that I will remain true to You!  Amen 

February 8, Matthew 26:31-56

Summary:  After the last supper, as they went out to the garden on the Mount of Olives where Jesus and his disciples had been camping, He predicted that they would all abandon Him. Peter protested, and Jesus predicted Peter’s denial. When they arrived at their usual camping spot (Gethsemane), Jesus began to be overwhelmed by the prospect of arrest and crucifixion, and prayed desperately, but submissively, about it.  Later, Judas arrived with a band of soldiers and religious leaders, who arrested Jesus and led Him away.

Significant verse:  “He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.’”  (Matthew 26:42)  Jesus dreaded the ordeal He was about to go through, but submitted to God’s will, to save us!

Subtlety:  Jesus deliberately made it possible for Judas to privately betray Him to the Jews.  Luke tells us (Luke 21:37, 22:39) that Jesus camped out in the same place every night during that last Passover stay in Jerusalem.  When Judas left the last supper (John 13:26-30) Jesus could easily have found a place to spend the night where Judas wouldn’t find Him, but He was submitting to God’s plan, the plan for Him to die for our sins.

Statute for living:  Jesus’ statement to His disciples, “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation,” (Matthew 26:41) is good advice for us, too!

Supplication:  Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You were willing to submit to crucifixion for my sake.  Help me to stay close to you and alert to avoid temptation.  Amen.

February 7, Matthew 26:1-30

Summary:  Matthew begins this portion of his book with the record of yet another prediction by Jesus of His own upcoming arrest and crucifixion.  The Gospel-writer immediately follows up Jesus’ prediction with a record of how the chief priests were conspiring to do exactly that!  The next story leads into how Jesus’ betrayal happened.

All four Gospels record Jesus’ feet being anointed with perfume, although the story in Luke 7 may be a different occasion.  Mary, Lazarus’ brother, anointed Jesus’ feet after Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead.  (Compare John 12:1-8.)  In his Gospel, the apostle John also records that Judas was the disciple who complained about waste and was publicly rebuked by Jesus when she did it.  Since both Matthew and Mark place the story of Judas arranging for Jesus’ betrayal right after this event, perhaps part of Judas’ motivation for his treachery was resentment about this interaction. 

Matthew’s description of the Last Supper begins with and highlights the discussion of Judas’ upcoming betrayal, followed by Jesus’ institution of the bread and the cup as memorials of His sacrifice for us.

Significant verse:  And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:27-28)  The bread and the cup are the memorial Jesus instituted of His sacrifice for us.  He died, with shed blood and broken body, to pay for our sins.  Have you appropriated His payment, made it your own, and completed the transaction with Him by committing to serve Him?  If not, what are you waiting for?

Subtlety:  Matthew leaves out the detail of how Jesus told Peter and John where to prepare the Passover meal, but it’s an interesting story.  Check it out in Mark 14:12-16 and Luke 22:7-13.

Statute for living:  How do you receive correction?  When someone points out where you’re wrong, do you straighten up, or, like Judas, get resentful and plot revenge?

Supplication:  Lord Jesus, thank you for dying for me.  Thank you that all the details of the events that led to your crucifixion were part of Your plan to save me.  Give me the strength and will to live for You today.  Amen.

February 6, Matthew 25:31-46

Summary:  Jesus now drops out of the parable teaching form and directly describes the coming judgment, when He will decide who gets to enter His kingdom.  The key issue He highlights in this passage is how nations have treated His people, and, by extension, Himself.

Significant verse:  Compare and contrast verses 34 & 41:  “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’” (Matthew 25:34)  “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels.’”  (Matthew 25:41)  Which response will you hear when you meet the judge?

Subtlety:  The word translated “nations” in verse 32 is usually used in the New Testament to refer specifically to the Gentiles, the non-Jews.  When Jesus sets up His kingdom He will judge peoples according to how they treated His brothers, the Jewish people.  We have historical examples of how this issue plays out in the WWII era, when individuals, groups, and entire countries came to the aid of the Jews, while others either ignored or participated in their persecution.

Statute for living:  How you treat people around you matters!

Supplication:  Lord Jesus, show me whom I can care for in your name today.  Amen. 

February 5, Matthew 25:1-30

Summary:  Still continuing the discussion of His second coming, in this passage Jesus tells two parables, the parable of the virgins waiting for the wedding party and the parable of the talents (large units of money, not skills or abilities.)  The emphasis of the first parable is preparedness for His return, the emphasis of the second is wise investment of our lives while we anticipate His return!

Significant verse:  “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’”  (Matthew 25:21)  When we reach the gate of heaven, either we’ll be welcomed in to share in the joy of our Lord, or we will be told “I never knew you!” (Matthew 7:23)  Do you know the Person who owns heaven?  How well do you know Him?

Subtlety: The Jewish wedding customs of that day very much shape the first parable.  An engaged bride was not always told when the wedding date was!  When the groom came to get her, the party began!  In this story, the friends of the bride knew the party was about to begin, or perhaps the groom’s portion of the party had already begun, but didn’t know when they would get to join in.  Only those who were well prepared got to be part of the celebration.  Are you ready for Jesus’ return, the prelude to His heavenly wedding party? (Revelation 19)

Statute for living:  The faithful servants in the second parable were commended for how well they had invested what was entrusted to them.  How are you investing your life?  Are you earning anything of eternal value?

Supplication:  Help me, Lord, to be ready when You return.  Use my life to impact people’s lives for the better, for You. Amen. 

February 4, Matthew 24:29-51

Summary:  Continuing His discussion of the coming judgment, Jesus warns that He will return unexpectedly, and cautions the disciples (& us!) that we need to be ready!  He compared His return in judgment to the flood in Noah’s day which interrupted people as they went through their normal routines.  He also compared His coming to the master of a household who returns to find some of his servants hard at work and others neglecting their duties, to their detriment!

Significant verse:  “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”  (Matthew 24:36)  It seems that every generation has some religious leader who claims to know the date of God’s day of judgment.  They are always wrong!  Our task is not to set dates, but to be ready any time!  Are you ready to meet the judge?

Subtlety:  “One will be taken and one left.”  (verses 40 & 41)  Is this talking about God taking His own into heaven?  The context makes it clear, it’s talking about being taken in judgment, just as Noah’s flood was a judgment.  Luke’s version of this same teaching (at the end of Luke 17) also suggests judgment, as does a similar passage in the Old Testament, Jeremiah 6:11. 

Statute for living:  The overall message of the passage is crystal clear; live as if Jesus could show up any moment!  Be on the alert. (v. 42)  Be ready. (v. 44) Be faithful and sensible. (v. 45)  The result will be blessing when we meet our Savior.  (v. 46.)

Supplication:  Lord Jesus, come soon!  Set things straight, complete Your plan.  Help me to be ready, to do Your work until You return, and to be faithful and wise.  Amen.

February 3, Matthew 24:1-28

Summary:  Having foretold desolation for Israel at the end of the previous chapter, Jesus gives more teachings about the future in these two chapters.  In today’s portion, after His disciples had pointed out the impressive features of the temple, Jesus predicted that it would be destroyed.  Later, while sitting on the Mount of Olives, He answered a question they asked Him, and predicted the Great Tribulation that is to come.  He advised them to flee Jerusalem when they saw Daniel’s prophecy being fulfilled.

Significant verse:  This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.  (Matthew 24:14) One of the predictions yet to be fulfilled is that the Gospel will be preached everywhere, to all the nations.  Although this may be fulfilled during the tribulation (Revelation 14:6) we need to be spreading the Gospel now!

Subtlety:   What is the abomination of desolation?  (v. 15)  Daniel chapters 9, 11, & 12 speak of a coming ruler who will desecrate God’s temple and persecute God’s people.  Tying these prophecies together with others in the New Testament, we understand that it refers to the Antichrist, a world-wide dictator whose reign immediately precedes Jesus’ return.

Statute for living:  In verses 23-24, Jesus specifically warned us against false Christs who were to come.  Beware of any religious leader who claims to be Jesus, or His regent!

Supplication:  Lord Jesus, if persecution comes in my lifetime, help me not to be one of those who falls away from following you!  Keep my heart focused on You, don’t let my love grow cold.  Amen 

February 2, Matthew 23

Summary:  Having just defeated the religious leaders’ attempts to trap Him, Jesus warns the crowd against following their hypocrisy.  He then expresses seven “woes,” seven denunciations against them for their hypocrisy and also for their hair-splitting rationalizations of wrong-doing.  Their rejection of Him, the Messiah, was parallel to their ancestors’ rejection of God’s messengers, the prophets, and Jesus made that comparison.  He mourned for the Jewish nation, who were going to suffer because they rejected Him.

Significant verse:  “But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.” (Matthew 23:11-12)  Jesus repeatedly taught and modeled servant leadership.  He criticized the pompous and self-righteous religious leaders, and He was about to demonstrate the ultimate service, in dying for all of humanity.

Subtlety:  What are phylacteries?  (v. 5)  In Deuteronomy 6:8, God told the children of Israel to keep His words, teach them to their children, and live by them.  He told them to bind his words on their foreheads and their hands.  This latter command was probably intended figuratively, (see similar, figurative, commands in Proverbs 3:3 & 6:21) but the Pharisees obeyed the command literally.  They took portions of Scripture, put them in small boxes, and tied them to their foreheads and their wrists!  Jesus pointed out that all this did for them was to get them men’s attention, not God’s!

Statute for living:  Are we only righteous outwardly, or are we right with God, who sees within?

Supplication:  Cleanse my heart, Oh God, help me to be pure in your sight, help me to live out your holiness, instead of putting on a “religious” mask.  In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

February 1, Matthew 22:15-46

Summary:  Three sets of Jesus’ enemies came to Him with questions designed to trap Him, and He neatly turned the tables on them, with teachings that are relevant for us today.  Then He challenged them with a question of His own, which they couldn’t answer!  The outcome was that they were afraid to ask Him any more questions!

Significant verse:   And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ “This is the great and foremost commandment. “The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”  (Matthew 22, 37-40)  Love for God, manifested by love for others, sums up the law.  We fall short of the law because we love self.

Subtlety:  The three groups who questioned Jesus present interesting contrasts.  The Pharisees were the ultra-conservative observant Jews, the predecessors to today’s Orthodox Jews.   The Herodians were not a religious party, but political. They curried favor with the dynasty of Herods, petty kings under Rome.  Normally the Pharisees and Herodians would have nothing to do with each other, but they came together to try to trap Jesus!  The Sadducees, another religious sect, represented many of the priests and religious power-brokers of Jesus’ time.  They only acknowledged the five books of Moses, not the rest of the Old Testament.  They didn’t believe in angels or in the afterlife!  Jesus refuted them from the portion of Scripture they would accept, Moses’ books.  All of them were stymied and silenced by the truth Jesus presented.

Statute for living:  Jesus sternly rebuked the Sadducees for their ignorance of God’s Word and His power.  (verse 29)  How well do you know God’s Word?  Have you experienced His power in your life?

Supplication:  Father God, help me to get to know You and Your Word better.  I want to experience Your power transforming my life.  Make me into the person You want me to be.  In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

January 31, Matthew 21:33-22:14

Summary:  After the religious leaders challenged His authority, Jesus continued challenging them with two parables.  The first one is clearly a picture of His own rejection by the Jewish people, as represented by their religious leaders.  It is the story of share-cropping vine-growers who refuse to acknowledge their landlord. The second parable tells of a king whose invitation to His Son’s wedding feast is ignored.  He finds other people to come to the wedding and punishes those who disrespected Him.  The Jewish religious leaders understood both parables perfectly, and resolved to kill Jesus.

Significant verse:  “Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast.” (Matthew 22:9)  God is seeking those who will accept His invitation to be part of His heavenly wedding feast.  The self-righteous ignore the invitation, will you ignore it or accept it?  (For more on the heavenly wedding feast, see Revelation 19.)

Subtlety:  Jesus probably had this confrontation with the religious leaders in the temple courts.  The temple was decorated with carvings of grape-vines, one of the national symbols of Israel.  The symbolism of caretakers of the vineyard rejecting the messengers and the Son of the owner was blunt, not subtle!

Statute for living:  The person who “gate-crashed” the royal wedding without wearing wedding clothes (22:11-12) suggests the idea of a person trying to get into heaven on his own efforts.  Only through Jesus’ payment for our sins can we belong at His wedding feast.

Supplication:  Father God, help me not to reject Your messengers, or Your Son!  I desire to live for You now and stand before you in His righteousness, not my own.  In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

January 30, Matthew 21:1-32

Summary:  This passage describes Jesus presenting Himself as the King of the Jews, by riding into Jerusalem in fulfillment of predictions by the Old Testament prophets Isaiah and Zechariah.  Most of the people in the crowd were probably hoping He would kick the Romans out of Jerusalem and set Himself up as king, instead He kicked the merchants out of the temple!  On His way out of town He cursed a fig tree, which withered overnight.  The next day, upon being challenged about His authority, He challenged the challengers about their obedience to God!

Significant verse:  And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ^robbers’ den.” (Matthew 21:13)  The temple, which was supposed to be a worship center, had devolved into a place of commerce.  Jesus judged the “religious” people, pointing out their hypocrisy and unbelief.

Subtlety:  Cursing the fig tree was the only negative miracle Jesus performed.  What was that about?  The fig tree was one of the national symbols of Israel as a people.  They had rejected Him, their Messiah, and consequences would follow.  The event with the fig tree pictured the judgment that would come later.

Statute for living:  In verses 28-32, Jesus highlighted the difference between lip service and obedience.  Which characterizes your life?

Supplication:  Lord Jesus, help me to live for You, to have You as my King, my Lord, my Savior.  Amen. 

January 29, Matthew 20:17-34

Summary:  As Jesus went up to Jerusalem for the last time, He again warned His disciples of His impending death, and promised His resurrection.  In a classic example of not getting the message, the mother of two of His disciples promptly asks for her boys to be vice president and secretary of state in His Kingdom!  She was still expecting Jesus to kick out the Roman overlords and be an earthly king.  Jesus told them they didn’t know what they were asking for, and predicted that they, too would suffer as He was about to.  In the follow-up discussion, Jesus gave some clear and vital teaching about servant leadership.

The last story in the chapter describes Jesus healing two blind men.

Significant verse:  “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”  (Matthew 20:26-28)  Jesus’ model for leadership was serving.  He came to rescue us from sin and its consequences.

Subtlety:  What is the “cup” that Jesus was about to drink?  Several passages in the Old Testament prophets spoke of the cup of God’s wrath.  Jesus, the night before He was crucified, prayed about the cup He was dreading.  The cup was suffering.  In Jesus’ case, He bore God’s wrath for us.  In James’ and John’s cases, James was the second recorded Christian martyr, and although John lived to a great age he experienced many horrendous persecutions, banishments and tortures.

Statute for living:  Everyone (except some small children) is a leader in at least some capacity.  How do you lead?  By force of personality, by anger, by threats?  Jesus led by giving His life for us.

Supplication:  Lord Jesus, help me to serve the people around me, even those under me, in Your name.  Thank You for dying for me.  Amen 

January 28, Matthew 19:16-20:16

Summary:  A wealthy young man (Luke adds the detail that he was a ruler) came to Jesus asking what he could do to inherit eternal life.  Jesus challenged him with the portions of the ten commandments having to do with relationships with each other, and he professed to be flawless!  Jesus then challenged him about his values, his relationship to God.  Being unwilling to let go of his wealth, he went away sorrowful.  Jesus noted that wealth can stand between us and heaven, then commended His disciples for being willing to let things go to follow Him.

In the first part of chapter 20, Jesus gave them a parable about a generous employer who paid employees who had worked little a days’ wage, without cheating on those who worked all day.  God rewards those who have faith in Him with eternal life, but He also rewards His people who do good works.

Significant verse:  “And looking at them Jesus said to them, ‘With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’”  (Matthew 19:26)  Jesus had just expressed how hard it is for wealthy people to be humble enough to get right with God, but He went on to say that God isn’t limited!  He can save anyone.

Subtlety:  Notice (v. 20) that even after the young man professed to have kept the entire second half of the ten commandments, he knew he was missing something!  Doing good things will never give you assurance that you’re going to heaven.  Assurance comes from knowing Jesus, and giving yourself to Him.

Statute for living:  In 18:8-9, Jesus challenges us to give up anything that causes us to sin.  The chapter of the rich seeker challenges us to give up anything that keeps us from devotion to God.  What do you need to give up?

Supplication:  Father, show me what I’ve put before you, and give me the will to let go of it!  Help me to serve you completely.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

January 27, Matthew 19:1-15

Summary:  Jesus, in response to a question, taught that marriage is supposed to be between a man and a woman, and is to be for life.  Next, He said that singleness isn’t for everybody, and He ordered His disciples to allow children to come to Him to be blessed.

Significant verse:  But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  (Matthew 19:14, compare 18:3)  Jesus loved children, and He made it clear that access to His kingdom came through humble, child-like faith.      

Subtlety:  The Jewish religious leaders who asked Jesus about divorce were trying to get Him to take sides on a controversy among them about grounds for divorce.  Instead of joining in the controversy, Jesus reminded them of the foundational teaching on marriage, God’s decree when He married Adam and Eve.  Marriage is supposed to be between one man and one woman, for life.

Statute for living:  If you’re married, do what it takes to make your marriage work!  If you’re single, don’t get married until you’re ready to make a commitment for better, for worse, and for keeps!

Supplication:  Father, help me to trust in You with a child-like faith, so I can be part of Your Kingdom forever.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

January 26, Matthew 18:15-35

Summary:  The overall theme of this passage can be expressed in one word: forgiveness.  Jesus gives us specific instructions (and authorization) for confronting a brother, with the goal of winning him back into relationship.  Next, in response to a question of Peter’s, He told a parable about a King who forgave one of his servants who owed him a massive debt, a king’s ransom.  That same servant refused to forgive a fellow servant, and was punished.

Significant verse:  “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”  (Matthew 18:20)  Jesus states that His people are authorized to act in His name, because He is in our midst!

Subtlety:  Is it 70 X 7 or 77?  There is some ambiguity in the original language.  (verse 22) In any case, Jesus is clearly making the point that we should just keep on forgiving!  In offering to forgive seven times, Peter thought he was being “super-spiritual,” since the standard in his culture was forgiving three times.  Peter doubled the going rate and added an extra!  Jesus went far beyond that.  God forgave us so much, we need to forgive those around us.

Statute for living:  In Jesus’ parable, the unforgiving servant was delivered to the torturers.  In real life, the torturer is in our minds!  When we’re harboring bitterness against someone, anything that reminds us of that person and what they did to wrong us is enough to ruin our day!  Satan can get us in a bad mood just by some suggestion about the person who hurt us.  The only way to be free is to forgive!

Supplication:  Father, help me to forgive ____________ for what he did to me.  Help me to let go of the bitterness and be free of the hurt.  Help me to forgive him as you forgave me.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

January 25, Matthew 17:14-18:14

Summary:  Jesus and His three closest disciples came back down the mountain after He had been revealed in His glory, to find a commotion, a problem, and a failure!  A demonized boy had been brought for healing, but the nine disciples couldn’t help him.  Jesus expressed frustration, but He healed (freed) the boy.  Later, He challenged his disciples to greater faith, as well as deeper prayer.  He also predicted His own death, the second time He had done so.

Next there’s a fish story!  Jesus met His and Peter’s need for tax money through a fish!  In chapter 18, Jesus teaches His disciples about humility, using a child as an example.  Next He warns in the strongest terms against leading children into sin, and teaches about guardian angels.   In that context, He uses exaggerated language to make the point that we need to get rid of anything that causes us to sin.  At the end of today’s portion He taught that God seeks out lost people.

Significant verse:  “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.  “Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4)

Subtlety:  The term translated “converted” (see the verse just above) means to turn around, to change direction.  The disciples’ hobby was to discuss their “pecking order” to speculated about cabinet positions in Jesus’ government.  Their direction was wrong, and they had to turn around, to humility. 

Statute for living:  An expression we use in our culture is “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater!”  When someone expresses an intention or a resolution to refine or clean up their life, someone else often accuses them of going too far.  Jesus used even more vivid expressions to make the point that we should get rid of anything that causes us to sin!  (Matthew 18:8-9)

Supplication:  Father God, help me to be willing to completely get rid of ____________, because it trips me up!  In Jesus’ name, amen. 

January 24, Matthew 16:13-17:13

Summary:  Jesus had been ministering publically for more than two years, and His disciples at times demonstrated faith and at other times were doubtful.  At the beginning of this passage, Jesus quizzes them about His own identity.  After they listed the popular misconceptions about Jesus, He asked them for their own viewpoint.  Peter, always bold to speak up, stated that Jesus was the Christ.

Jesus’ next teaching was to predict His crucifixion, resulting in disagreement from Peter and a rebuke from Jesus!  Jesus warned them that being His disciple means giving everything up for Him.  Then three of the disciples were privileged to see a glimpse of Jesus as He is in heaven, in glory.  Moses and Elijah also appeared to them.

Significant verse:  “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’  Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’” (Matthew 16:15-16)  What is your viewpoint on Jesus?  Acknowledging Him and serving Him as He deserves is what matters most in this life and the next one!

Subtlety:  The word “Christ” is simply the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah.”  Both mean “anointed one,” referring to the anointing which inaugurated the Kings of Israel.  Peter was acknowledging Jesus as the promised Messiah, the One who would bring salvation.

Statute for living:  Note that Peter, just moments after his great expression of faith, allowed his lips to be used by Satan!  (verses 22-23)  We need to be extra-cautious after moments of great victory, and we need to pray, like David, “Set a guard, O Lord,^ over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”  (Psalm 141:3)

Supplication:  Lord Jesus, I want to be your follower, your disciple.  Help me to be willing to give up anything that hinders or distracts me from that purpose.  Amen. 

January 23, Matthew 15:29-16:12

Summary:  Back in chapter 14, we have the record of Jesus feeding 5000 men (plus women and children) with five loaves and two fishes.  Here He does it again, after a day spent teaching and healing, with a slightly smaller crowd (“only” 4000!) and with seven loaves and a few small fish.  No sooner was the incident over, than the religious leaders again demand of Him a sign from heaven!  Again, he said the only sign they would get would be the sign of Jonah.  (Compare 12:39.)  On this occasion He chewed them out for missing the obvious, that He, the Messiah, was doing miracles in their very presence.  He said they were better weather men than Bible scholars!

His disciples, although they knew who He was, also doubted.  When He gave them a cryptic warning about the religious leaders, they took it to be a criticism about their not having brought enough bread!  He had to remind them of the feeding miracles he had just done, and explain clearly that He was warning them about the religious leaders’ teaching.

Significant verse:  “So the crowd marveled as they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, and the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.”  (Matthew 15:31)  Do you give God the glory when good things happen?

Subtlety:  In 16:9-10, Jesus uses two different words to describe the baskets at the two miraculous feasts.  At the feeding of the 5000, there were 12 hand-baskets of food left over.  These were smaller baskets, such as a person might use to carry lunch or other things.  Perhaps the 12 disciples each ended up with one.  At the feeding of the 4000, 7 large baskets of left-overs were picked up.  These were large baskets.  Two such baskets, hung on either side of a donkey or a mule, would hold all the load the animal could carry.  In both cases, Jesus’ power and the abundance of God’s provision was highlighted.

Statute for living:  Even after He has provided for us in the past, do we doubt God and worry about the future?  Pray as He taught us, “Give us this day our daily bread,” and trust Him!

Supplication:  Lord Jesus, thank you that you have compassion and provide for your people.  Help me to trust you.  Amen. 

January 22, Matthew 15:1-28

Summary:  Back in chapter 11, Jesus had pointed out that the professional critics (the religious leaders) were impossible to please.  Here these critics started in on Jesus’ disciples for eating with unwashed hands.  The issue wasn’t hygiene, but ceremony.  In response, Jesus noted that they themselves were more interested in their tradition than in God’s law, and had even invalidated the law through their traditions. 

Using an illustration about eating, Jesus noted that real defilement comes from within, not without.  His disciples asked Him about it and He told them defilement springs from the heart.

The last story in today’s section describes Jesus freeing the demonized daughter of a foreign woman.  Since His primary ministry at that time was to the Jews, He initially declined, but he responded positively to her persistence.

Significant verse:  “But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man.”  (Matthew 15:18-20a)  Our heart is the source of our character issues.  Fixing externals has limited value if there is no accompanying heart change.

Subtlety:  Was Jesus being harsh with the woman who asked Him to heal her daughter?  Our English Bibles almost suggest He called her a dog!  The word in the original is actually better translated “puppies.”  He wasn’t calling her names, He was just using an illustration of priorities, that the kids come before the pets.  Rather than being offended, she wittily turned His phrase back on Him, and He responded favorably to her request.

Statute for living:  Be persistent in asking God to help you with whatever your issues are!  He encourages us to pray trustingly, but also persistently.

Supplication:  Father God, please fix my heart!  I admit that the character issues I have come from within me.  I can’t get over them on my own, please change me!  In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

January 21, Matthew 14:13-36

Summary:  There are only two closely sequential stories in this passage, but what stories they are!  Jesus feeds 5000 men (plus women and children) with five loaves and two fish.  Next, He walks out on the lake to where His disciples were, and enables Peter to walk on water too!  On the other side of the lake He picks right back up with more miracles of healing.

Significant verse:   “And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, ‘You are certainly God’s Son!’”  (Matthew 14:33)  Having seen two awesome miracles in a row, Jesus’ disciples worshipped Him.  He is God, and deserves our worship.

Subtlety:  Besides His own resurrection, the feeding of the 5000 is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels.  John’s version (John 6:1-13) adds the interesting details that Jesus had challenged Phillip with the need of the crowd, and that the five loaves and two fish were the lunch of a boy whom Andrew had brought to Jesus. 

Statute for living:  Note what Jesus was doing in the evening after He had sent His disciples out on the lake and sent the people away.  He was praying.  Prayer is basic to a healthy relationship with God.  How often do you pray?

Supplication:  Thank you, God, that you meet our needs.  Please provide for me and my family as you provided for those 5000+ people.  Amen. 

January 20, Matthew 13:44-14:12

Summary:  This passage continues with three more Kingdom parables.  The first two, the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price, highlight how valuable being part of God’s kingdom is, and how much we should be willing to give up to obtain it.  The third parable, of a fisherman sorting the catch from his net, pictures the coming judgment.  Another parable follows, this one not a kingdom parable but a picture of a Bible teacher bringing new truths from Scripture to light and re-introducing old ones.

We next have an interesting note about Jesus’ reception in his home town.  His townsmen marveled at His knowledge, since He was the son of a carpenter or construction worker.  His brothers’ names are given, and his sisters mentioned.  These were His half-siblings, Joseph and Mary’s other children.  (He was Mary’s son, conceived by the Holy Spirit.)

The first story in chapter 14 is the record of John the Baptist’s death at the hand of an unjust tyrant and a vindictive woman.

Significant verse:  “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44)  Knowing God, being part of His Kingdom now and being sure of being invited into His heavenly kingdom, is worth everything!  Have you given yourself to God?

Subtlety:  There are only two birthday celebrations mentioned in the Bible, this one and Pharaoh’s in Genesis 40:20.

Statute for living:  Are you willing to stand against evil in society?  John did, even though it cost him!

Supplication:  Father, help me to value You and Your Kingdom above all else.  Help me to rearrange my priorities according to Your values.  In Jesus’ name, amen. 

January 19, Matthew 13:24-43

Summary:  Having described people’s differing reactions to God’s Word, Jesus continues with three parables describing God’s Kingdom.  The first is a story about a field, planted with good seed by the farmer, and planted with weeds by an enemy.  Both are allowed to grow together, but sorted out at harvest time.

The second parable in this section describes a sizeable tree growing from a tiny seed, and the third describes a sizeable loaf growing from a tiny lump of dough.

Jesus gave a detailed explanation only for the first of these three parables.  He Himself is represented as the farmer, the seed is the Word, the enemy who sows bad seed is the devil, and the reapers are angels.  The weeds are allowed to co-exist with the good grain plants for a while, but will be dealt with at the final judgment.

Significant verse:  “Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.”  (Matthew 13:43, including a quote from Daniel 12:3)  At the final judgment, those who belong to God will stand out from the crowd, and be rewarded.  Does that include you?

Subtlety:  Since Jesus didn’t specifically explain the parables of the Mustard seed and of the loaf, there’s some uncertainty about the details.  Obviously the parables picture the growth of His kingdom.  But they follow a parable about growth which includes some undesirable growth.  Most of the time (not always) in the Bible birds and yeast represent evil.  Do the birds and the yeast in these parables indicate that the expansion of His kingdom includes, at this time, some undesirable elements, parallel to the weeds in the first parable?  Whether that is in view in the other two parables or not, the first parable (and other Bible passages) make it clear that there are and have been false Christians throughout history, and often they give true believers a bad name!

Statute for living:  When the judgment comes, will you end up in the Kingdom or in the fire?

Supplication:  Lord Jesus, help me to be one of those who shines for You!  Amen. 

January 18, Matthew 13:1-23

Summary:  The three sections of this passage all revolve around a parable Jesus gave describing different people’s reaction to God’s Word.  (A parable is a comparison or analogy to express a truth.)  He gave the parable, explained why He used parables, then explained the meaning of the parable.  Jesus, quite possibly watching a farmer scattering seed, described seed falling on four different kinds of soils.  He said the reason He used parables was to fulfill an Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 6:9-10) describing those who would reject His word.  He explained that the four soils represent how four different kinds of people respond to His word: (1) No response, (2) Quick, temporary response, (3) Response with little fruit, or (4) Life-changing and life-giving response.

Significant verse:   “And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”  (Matthew 13:23)  The Bible uses the term “fruit” to describe life-change, either in an individual directly or in someone else through a person’s ministry.  Has God’s truth changed your life?

Subtlety:  Modern farming methods precisely place most seeds, so it can be puzzling that a farmer would waste seed.  The farmer in Jesus’ illustration was scattering seed by hand.  Even if he was very skilled, a breeze could send some of the seed into unintended places, such as the footpath or an area of shallow soil over bedrock.  Since we can’t predict how people will react, we should spread the seed, communicate God’s truth, to everybody!

Statute for living:  Which kind of soil in Jesus’ illustration describes you?  Are you ignoring God’s Word, did you “try out” God at some point in the past and give up?  Are you allowing temporary things, the here and now, to choke out God’s Word from your life?  Or are you bearing fruit for God?  That is the path to joy and blessing.

Supplication:  Father, help me to become more and more grounded and rooted in your truth.  Please change me, and help me to help others change.  In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

January 17, Matthew 12:22-50

Summary:  There’s a LOT in this passage!  First up, Jesus heals a man who was afflicted by a demon which made him blind and mute.  Jesus set him free from the evil spirit, and was Himself accused of deriving His power from the devil!  Jesus pointed out that the devil was not divided, he was defeated!  He also warned against blaspheming the Holy Spirit of God. 

The next section of Jesus’ teaching highlights the importance of our heart and our words.  The heart is the source of our words, and our words are the barometer of our heart!  Jesus had been doing miracles at a great rate, but the religious leaders came and asked Him to do one just for them!  Instead, he warned them of judgment to come, and also warned that just getting an evil spirit out of someone isn’t enough, we all need to be filled with good! 

At the end of the passage Jesus’ mother and brothers are mentioned.  He was given an opportunity to give a shout-out to His mother, instead He praised His disciples!  (Compare Luke 11:27-28.)

Significant verse:   “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.”  (Matthew 12:36) When Jesus comes back, it will be as the Judge!  Are you ready to face the Judge?  Get to know Him now, and face Him as your best friend!

Subtlety:  It’s interesting that the only Old Testament prophet to which Jesus compared Himself was Jonah!  (Verses 39-40.)  Jonah’s story is one of reluctant obedience after disobedience, but his punishment of being swallowed by a big fish provided a picture or figure of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.  In response to the demand for a sign miracle, Jesus pointed to His own resurrection as being proof enough of Who He was.

Statute for living:  Jesus made it clear that a person is either with Him or against Him!  (Verse 30.)  There is no neutral ground.  Where are you?

Supplication:  Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you died for me and rose so I can have new life.  Help me to maintain clean lips, the fruit of a pure heart.  Help me be more like You!  Amen.

January 16, Matthew 12:1-21

Summary:  One of the themes in chapter 11 was the critics and nit-pickers who criticized both Jesus and John the Baptist.  We have another example in this passage, where the religious leaders criticize Jesus’ disciples for picking handfuls of grain on the Sabbath, and criticize Jesus for healing on the Sabbath.  Because of the opposition, Jesus maintained a low profile.  Matthew notes that this was in fulfillment of Isaiah 42.

Significant Verse:  “BEHOLD, MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN, MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL IS WELL-PEASED; I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM, AND HE SHALL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES.”  (Matthew 12:18)  The all Caps is a convention in most of our English Bibles to highlight an Old Testament quote, this one is from Isaiah 42:1-2.  The verse identifies Jesus as God’s Chosen One, whose ministry would include proclaiming justice to the Gentiles.  Jesus was (and is) the Messiah of the Jews, but non-Jews may receive Him too!

Subtlety:  Viewed in our culture’s perception, the disciples’ taking of grain from the field through which they were walking looks like petty theft!  That was not the issue here, however.  In Moses’ law, Deuteronomy 23:24-25 specifically permitted snacking from another person’s field, but you couldn’t use an implement to harvest or a basket to carry it away.  Snacking from what you could pick with your hand was not stealing.  What the critics accused the disciples of was Sabbath-breaking, working on the Jewish holy day.  Jesus said what really mattered was compassion, not rules, and demonstrated that compassion in the next incident by healing the man with the withered hand.

Statute for living:  Jesus’ ministry was marked by acts of compassion.  Do you care about the people around you?  Do you care that they might be going to hell?  Do you care enough to introduce them to Jesus, the Savior?

Supplication:   Lord Jesus, thank you for your compassion for me, that You died to pay the penalty for my sin.  Help me to extend Your compassion to others.