Category: Matthew

Matthew 11:9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 

Today’s verses have me thinking about the greatest and the least. On earth, who is considered the greatest? Those with power. Those with money. Those with political clout. Those who are loud enough to be heard. Those who get things done. Those who get their names in the spotlight.

Matthew 11:10 This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’

Who are the least on earth? Children, the poor, those who are just barely scraping by. Those who put others before ambition or making a name for themselves, the physically and mentally infirm. As I type this list, I can see why Jesus caused such a stir in His day. These people will be the greatest in heaven? How does that even make sense? And yet, Jesus has always been about shaking up established power dynamics.

Matthew 11:11a Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; 

Precious Savior, There is so much that I don’t understand–about life, about You, about myself. Help me to keep asking questions, keep seeking answers, keep learning and growing in You. Thank You that You are all about disrupting the status quo. Give me the strength and the wisdom to love as You love. Amen.

Matthew 11:11b …yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 

Have a blessed day.

Matthew 11:5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.   

John asks Jesus specifically “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” in yesterday’s verses. What I love about Jesus’s reply is that He doesn’t shame John for the question. He doesn’t bully Him. He doesn’t blast Him for doubting.

Matthew 11:6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” 

I love Jesus’s reply because I have questions–sooooo many questions–and I spent years feeling like I couldn’t, shouldn’t ask them. But questions are a natural part of learning and growing. And even when I don’t get answers, there’s something cathartic about getting to actually ask the question. I think Jesus understands that.

Matthew 11:7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind?

Precious Savior, You created me to ask questions, to seek knowledge. Thank You for allowing me to ask questions of You, too. You don’t always give me answers, but You are always with me, holding me, drawing me closer to You. Thank You. Amen.

Matthew 11:8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces.

Have a blessed day.

Matthew 11:1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.

I don’t remember having the freedom to question in the church I grew up in. However, John is Jesus’s cousin. He baptized Jesus back in Matthew 3. And yet, even he has questions. He sends his disciples to ask Jesus “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Matthew 11:2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 

I have come to believe that questions are a way for us to strengthen our faith. Jesus loves us fiercely. If we are confused or concerned or angry, He doesn’t want us to pretend everything is ok. We can’t grow that way. He wants us to bring everything to Him. Lay it at His feet. Ask the tough questions. He’s big enough to handle them. And while He won’t always give us answers, He’ll draw us closer to Him in the process.

Matthew 11:3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Precious Savior, Thank You to I can come to You honestly with my questions and concerns, my anger and fear. Thank You that You love me fiercely, that You are for me, that You want me to be at peace in You. Help me when I struggle. Amen.

Matthew 11:4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 

Have a blessed day.

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.