Category: Matthew

Matthew 21:12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.

I have read these verses for years and never thought too much about them. Of course Jesus is angry. They turned a house of worship into a place of commerce. But commentary posits that Jesus gets so angry in this passage because the tables, benches, and merchandise mean less space for the people to draw near to Him.

Matthew 21:13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”

What makes Jesus angry enough to turn over tables? Protecting our ability to draw near to Him. Once He clears the space, the blind and lame come to Him and are healed.

Matthew 21:14 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them.

Lord, Thank You for protecting my ability to draw near to You. Help me never forget that You make sure there is room for me, but it is up to me to draw near and be healed. Amen.

Matthew 21:15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.

Have a blessed day.

Matthew 5:22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

Today’s chapter talks about loving others how and where they are. The Bible talks about loving our enemies, but, honestly, sometimes loving those closest to us, loving them how and where they are, is absolutely harder and requires much more humility.

Matthew 5:23-24 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

Loving those close to us how and where they are (and how and where *we* are) requires letting go of the way things *should* be in our minds and just loving instead. It means putting aside hopes, dreams, and judgments, and loving warts and all. That often takes a hefty dose of humility—to love when you are hurt, angry, frustrated, humiliated—to cling to what you know to be true—this person is a deeply loved child of God, even in the face of this thing I’m struggling with that they have done or not done.

Matthew 5:43-45 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven….

Lord, Thank You for reminding me of the necessity of loving the people in my life how and where they are. Help me to put my pride aside and to love like You love, deeply and fiercely, no matter what. Amen.

Matthew 5:46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?

Have a blessed day.

Matthew 28:10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

What strikes me in these words from the risen Jesus is the compassion. Verse 10 is His first risen utterance and verse 20 is His last in the book of Matthew. “Do not be afraid,” and “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Not only are these words comforting to the followers of Jesus then, but they are words of comfort to us now.

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

“Do not be afraid.” Jesus had been crucified, a painful, horrible death. Yet not even death could separate Him from His beloved. His first risen words are comfort to His people: “Do not be afraid.” Death will not separate Me from you. “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

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, There is so much in this life that causes us fear, worry, anxiety. Help us to take Your words to heart. Not even death can separate You from Your people. Help us to live confidently in light of this fact, in light of Your words: “Do not be afraid…. surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Amen.

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

Have a blessed day.

Matthew 27:3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders.

A friend once posited the idea that maybe Judas betrayed Jesus to try to bring about Jesus’s reign faster, to force Him into action. Commentary dismisses that theory, but verse 3 makes me wonder. It’s like Judas is surprised that Jesus is condemned. Maybe Judas thought Jesus, as Messiah, would put a military plan into action. How many times have I acted because I thought I understood how something was going to play out?

Matthew 27:22-23 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

The crowd here, falling over themselves a week ago to welcome Jesus, are again acting in mob mentality, yelling “Crucify Him!,” not caring that Jesus is guilty of no crime. And Pilate, who has the authority to stop the madness, literally washes his hands of the situation, after pronouncing Jesus innocent. Father, Forgive us.

Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

Precious Savior, I see my guilt reflected in these three scenarios. Like Judas, I am guilty of trying to force You to act on my timetable instead of Your own. Like the crowd, I am guilty of getting caught up in the emotions of this world and of going along with what everyone else is doing. Like Pilate, I am guilty of being able to act on behalf of the innocent yet washing my hands and walking away. Forgive me, Father. Forgive me. Amen.

Matthew 27:50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

Have a blessed day.

Matthew 26:13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

There is much in this chapter about remembrance: the woman is remembered for her lavish anointing of Christ. Judas is remembered for his savage betrayal. Jesus urges us to remember His sacrifice during the Eucharist celebration. Peter is remembered for his cowardice but also for his repentance and how Jesus uses him to build the church.

Matthew 26:14-15 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.

It is more important for our walk of faith to remember than to be remembered, but it is also true that we will all be remembered in some way. And we have a choice about our actions in life, which influences how we are remembered.

Matthew 26:26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

Lord, I would prefer to be remembered as the woman who lavishly anoints You daily in my life. I fear that I am more like Peter, who swears to never forsake You yet turns his back repeatedly. Thank You that his betrayal is not the end of his story. Forgive me when I get distracted by the world and turn my back on You. When this happens, help me to return and repent so that You can use me to build Your church, to comfort Your people, to praise Your name. Amen.

Matthew 26:35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Have a blessed day.