Category: Matthew

Matthew 18:10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

I’m back to wrestling with this section of scripture again, particularly verses 12-14. I see parallels between this scripture and the parable of the Prodigal Son. In both, I see myself as the one doing the right thing. In both, I’m a little indignant about all that was done for the one who didn’t.

Matthew 18:12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?

In truth, while I often do what’s expected of me, I am also prone to wandering off, taking my share and striking out on my own. I’ve talked (ad nauseam, it seems) about my proclivity to lay my worries at Jesus’s feet and snatch them right back up again. This seems like a similar issue.

Matthew 18:13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.

Jesus, Thank You for helping me see that I am the one who wanders, not the 99 who stay. I am the prodigal, striking out on my own, doing my will, not the one who stays with the Father. Forgive me–for my arrogance that that was not me, for my judgment as I thought I was doing the work. This is the work, Lord. Examining myself and seeing where I need to surrender to You. Thank You. Help me. Amen.

Matthew 18:14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

Have a blessed day.

Matthew 7:9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 

I find it interesting that in today’s scripture, I automatically zero in on verse 11 and the word evil. It gets my hackles up. Evil?!? I am *not* evil!!! How dare Jesus call me evil?!?!? And, yes, as you would imagine, that “How dare Jesus…?” stopped me in my tracks. I’m not evil. I’m not the devil incarnate, but I’m certainly not Jesus. And that’s His point.

Matthew 7:10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 

I *am* a parent. I *do* love my children fiercely. I want to give them good things in life, a leg up, a firm foundation. All of these things are true. AND I’m a hot mess. So if *my* intentions and motives are this positive with all of *my* flaws, “how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” That is Jesus’s point.

Matthew 7:11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 

Precious Savior, Thank You for Your fierce love of Your children. Thank You for Your willingness to get my hackles up to get my attention and drive home Your point. Thank You for using an analogy that I understand on a gut level. We are Your children. You love us unconditionally. You want to give us good things. All we have to do is ask. Thank You. Amen.

Matthew 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Have a blessed day.

Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 

I’ve mentioned the Jesus Calling devotional before, a timely gift from a sweet friend. Today it brought me more much needed wisdom: “Do not miss the Joy of My Presence by carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.” As with many, I’ve got stuff that I am dealing with, stuff that brings sadness, masked by anger. Stuff that makes me feel backed into a corner, on the defensive.

Matthew 11:29a Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart…  

But this morning’s reflection brought into focus that when I allow myself to feel backed into a corner, I am absolutely missing God’s joy, and I’m not ok with that. I used to literally count my blessings when I got into this negative space: 1. A roof over my head. 2. Breath in my lungs. 3. People who love me…. Looks like I need to go back to those basics because I DO NOT want to miss God’s joy because I am too busy carrying burdens that I was never meant to carry.

Matthew 11:29b …and you will find rest for your souls.

Jesus, Help me. Thank You for the realization that my actions and reactions are causing me to miss Your joy, that my actions and reactions are piling on burdens that You don’t intend for me to carry. Help me to find rest for my soul in You alone. Help me to choose Your joy. Amen.

Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Have a blessed day.

Matthew 22:36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

We are commanded to love God and love others. Again I am reminded of the billboard from my memories that reads, “Just love everyone. I’ll sort them out later. ~God.” Simple, but not easy.

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

But we tend to put up all kinds of barriers and conditions to God’s mandate to love others. (And make no mistake, when I say “we,” I include myself.) If someone looks, loves, votes, worships, lives differently, it’s easy to dismiss them as not worthy of love. Jesus, help us.

Matthew 22:38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 

Lord, You ask us to be Your hands and feet in this world, but sometimes we forget we aren’t the judge and jury. Help us to get past ourselves, past whatever barriers keep us from loving as you love. Help us to love you and love others. Period. Always. Amen.

Matthew 22:39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Have a blessed day.

Matthew 17:19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

I read an incredibly interesting piece by Nadia Bolz-Weber entitled “It’s a low bar (thank God)” this morning on this section of scripture. (I encourage you to google it. It’s worth the read.) She, like me, has always read this scripture as a rebuke from Jesus about the lack of faith in the disciples. Yet she talks about the significance of Greek grammar tenses and comes to see this scripture in a new light, as a reminder of the importance of the foundation of faith that we *do* have, no matter how small it feels.

Matthew 17:20a He replied, “Because you have so little faith….

My internal critic is really loud. She is mean and caustic. She berates me at every opportunity for all the things I cannot do well….and there are so many things. But Jesus, with His quiet voice of truth, is always there, whispering to my heart that He is with me, that I am His, that I am enough simply because I am His. That truth is my mustard seed, and it’s big enough to sustain me–He is big enough to sustain me–no matter what trials I face. Thank You, Jesus.

Matthew 17:20b …Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move….

Lord, This world is so loud, my doubts are so loud, my failures are so very loud. Help me to cut through the noise and chaos of life to hear You whisper to my heart–I am Yours, Your grace is perfected in my weakness, when trouble comes as it always does, my teeny, tiny, mustard seed of faith, of belief, in You can see me through. I just have to hold on. Amen.

Matthew 17:20c …Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Have a blessed day. I love you.

Matthew 28:16-17 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 

Today I want to focus on Matthew 28:20, the last part of the verse: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus says this to the disciples after His arrest, after their denial and betrayal, after His crucifixion and resurrection, after He sends them out in His name. He has already been with them through all of these trials. He knows that what He is asking of them now–Go and make disciples of all nations–will involve even more trials, and He promises to be with them. Always. No matter what.

Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 

Just like every human on the planet, my life has had its ups and downs. There have been times when nothing made any sense, my pain, anger, and bitterness were through the roof, there were no answers, there seemed to be little comfort. I was angry and bereft. And in my darkest times, when I felt nothing but the pain and hurt, when I desperately wanted answers that weren’t mine to have, Jesus sat with me in that silence, whispering to my heart, “I am here. You are not alone. I am with you. Always.”

Matthew 28:19-20a Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

Lord, I want answers, comfort, smooth paths. You don’t promise any of that. You promise to be with me. Always. In my doubt, in my fear, in my pain and questioning. Thank You for understanding that I need You more than I need anything else. Thank You for helping me to learn that truth as well. You are with me. Always. You are all I need. Amen.

Matthew 28:20b  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Have a blessed day. I love you.