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Daily Devotions
for August 2004
THEME - Questions From
the Synoptic Gospels
Please click on the current date # above or scroll down to read the
devotional for the day!
May God richly bless you this day!
These devotionals are written by the following
men:
- DW - Senior Pastor, Dan Wilkenson
- RJS - Retired Pastor, Dr. Bob Shifflett
- DM - Associate Pastor, Dave Most
Sunday, August 1
The Visit of the Magi
Matthew 2:2
…not all scholars agree on the timing of
the arrival of the Magi from the East, they apparently came some time after
the birth of Jesus. Jesus and Mary and Joseph, though still in Bethlehem,
were now in a house (v. 11), and Jesus was called a Child (paidion, vv. 9, 11) rather than a newborn Infant (brephos, Luke 2:12). (1) This visit occurred some time
between Jesus’ circumcision in the temple (Luke 2:21-38), and the flight to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-23).
It is interesting to note that these
Gentiles seem to have more understanding of spiritual things than the best
Biblical scholars do in Jerusalem. The scholars know the place recorded
in prophecy, but they give no indication of any spiritual understanding of
Jesus’ birth. The star they had seen in the East now reappeared and led
them to a specific house in Bethlehem where they found the Child Jesus. Bethlehem is about five miles south of Jerusalem. “Stars” (i.e., planets) naturally
travel from east to west across the heavens, not from north to south. Could
it be that “the star” which the Magi saw and which led them to a specific
house was the Shekinah glory of God? Perhaps this
was what they saw in the East, and for want of a better term they called it a
“star.” All other efforts to explain this star are inadequate (such as a
conjunction of Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars; a supernova; a comet; etc.). (2)
God never leaves Himself without a
remnant and important witness to the truth. In this case, important witness
to truth comes from a very unlikely source. It comes from Gentiles of
spiritual enlightenment. There is a tendency to think that the reason people
don’t see truth is because the message lacks clarity. This is not true. The
reason people don’t understand is not because they cannot see, but because
they will not see. The results differ not because of the quality of the
message, but the depravity of the people. The message always has sufficient
clarity that it leaves people without excuse. It is as Abraham told the rich
man; people hardened in sin will not believe even if one were to rise from
the dead and tell them. This is the result of choosing sin (John 3:19). DW
(1) (2) The Bible Knowledge Commentary,
(Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.
Monday,
August 2
Professing or Possessing Fruits of
Repentance
Matthew 3:7-14
The doctrine John preached was that of
repentance, in consideration of the kingdom of heaven being at hand.
Application is the life of preaching... “What brings you hither? Who thought
of seeing you here? What fright have you been put into, that you enquire
after the kingdom of heaven?” (1.) There is a wrath to come; besides
present wrath, the vials of which are poured out now, there is future wrath,
the stores of which are treasured up for hereafter. (2.) It is the great
concern of every one of us to flee from this wrath. (3.) It is wonderful
mercy that we are fairly warned to flee from this wrath; think - Who has
warned us? God has warned us, who delights not in our ruin; he warns by
the written Word, by ministers, by conscience. (4.) These warnings sometime
startle those who seemed to have been very much hardened in their security
and good opinion of themselves. (1)
Here is a word of exhortation and
direction verse 8 “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for
repentance. Therefore, because you are warned to flee from the wrath to come,
let the terrors of the Lord persuade you to a holy life.” Or, “Therefore,
because you profess repentance, and attend upon the doctrine and baptism of
repentance, evidence that you are true penitents.” Repentance is seated in
the heart. There it is as a root; but in vain do we pretend to have it there,
if we do not bring forth the fruits of it in a universal reformation,
forsaking all sin, and cleaving to that which is good; these are fruits, worthy
of repentance. Those are not worthy of the name of penitents, or their
privileges, who say they are sorry for their sins, and yet persist in them.
They that profess repentance, as all that are baptized do, must be and act as
becomes penitents, and never do any thing unbecoming a penitent sinner. It
becomes penitents to be humble and low in their own eyes, to be thankful for
the least mercy, patient under the greatest affliction, to be watchful
against all appearances of sin, and approaches towards it, to abound in every
duty, and to be charitable in judging others. (2)
Dear Lord, We are so unworthy of Your
love. You desire repentance rather than sacrifice. Forgive us of our sin.
Help us to forsake all sin. Many profess to have repentance. May ours be inward. Guide us according to Your Holy Word! Amen. DM
1,2 Matthew Henry Commentary
Tuesday, August 3
Where is the Salt and
Who turned out the Light?
Please read this short text, Matthew
5:13-16
What
kind of a Christian are you when you are away from church? Do others see
Christ in you at your place of employment? Does your driving reflect your
Christianity? At home are you as sweet and loving to the family as you are in
the church? A pastor was offered an opportunity to go to a city in Arizona and start a church. A doctor (not a medical
doctor) offered financial support for the new church until it became
self-supporting. However, one evening the pastor telephoned the doctor to
confirm some things and, much to his dismay, overheard a teenager in the
doctor’s home expressing herself in most unchristian
words and attitude. Needless-to-say the pastor refused the doctor’s offer and
did not go to that city to start a church. Why, because there was neither
salt nor light in the doctor’s home?
A man was being
tailgated by a stressed-out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light
turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the
crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating
through the intersection. The tailgating woman hit the roof and the horn,
screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the
intersection with him. As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her
window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. He
ordered her to exit the car with her hands up He took her to the police
station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a
cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the
door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer
was waiting with her personal effects. He said, "I'm very sorry for this
mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your
horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him.
I noticed your 'Choose Life' license plate holder, the 'What Would Jesus Do'
bumper sticker, the ’Follow Me to Sunday School’ bumper sticker, and the
chrome plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk. . Naturally, I assumed you
had stolen the car!" (copied from an e-mail)
Do you believe the
woman in the above illustration was a Christian? I’d have difficulty
believing her testimony after her words and actions.
Where was
the salt and light? Our thoughts and words are being monitored by the Lord
Jesus. He knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts. RJS
Wednesday, August 4
Manifesting God’s Love
Matthew 5:46, 47
The Pharisees taught that one should
love those near and dear to him (Lev. 19:18), but that Israel’s enemies should be hated. The
Pharisees thus implied that their hatred was God’s means of judging their
enemies. But Jesus stated that Israel should demonstrate God’s love even
to her enemies—a practice not even commanded in the Old Testament! God loves
them; He causes His sun to rise on them and He sends rain to produce their
crops. Since His love extends to everyone, Israel too should be a channel of His love
by loving all. Such love demonstrates that they are God’s sons (cf. Matt.
5:16). Murder, lust, hate, deception, and retaliation obviously do
not characterize God. He did not lower His standard to accommodate humans;
instead He set forth His absolute holiness as the standard. Though this
standard can never be perfectly met by man himself, a person who by faith
trusts in God enjoys His righteousness being reproduced in his life. (1)
The love Jesus talked about is not
possible for the natural man. The image of God is still a part of the natural
man and reflects much that appears good to us. However, love for ones enemies
run contrary to the natural man. It is only possible as the spirit of God is
present. Those outside of Christ are the enemies of God. Without this
goodness in God, there would be no redemption.
At the time Jesus walked this earth, Israel was in apostasy. They had turned from
the truth while very strongly professing truth. They hated Jesus Christ.
Their view of the observance of the Sabbath greatly fueled this hatred, but
their turning from truth is the key error. We need to appreciate that people
are not ignorant of truth; they turn from truth to sin. Then as they walk in
sin, they become more and more hardened. It is easy for us to look at
externals but the key to discerning truth is the love of God flowing through
them. Those who are void of the Spirit are void of love for enemies. As
surely as the Spirit is in the heart, God’s love will flow from the heart and
touch the lives of others. This is the key difference between saints and
apostates. DW
(1) Walvoord,
John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge
Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.
Thursday, August 5
The Provision of the Lord
Matthew 6:25-31
There is scarcely any one sin against which our Lord
Jesus more largely and earnestly warns his disciples, or against which he
arms them with more variety of arguments, than the sin of disquieting,
distracting, distrustful cares about the things of life, which are a bad sign
that both the treasure and the heart are on the earth; and
therefore he thus largely insists upon it. (1)
(1.) Take no thought for your life. Life is our
greatest concern for this world; All that a man has will
he give for his life; yet take no thought about it. [1.] Not about the continuance
of it; refer it to God to lengthen or shorten it as he pleases;
my times are in thy hand,
... [2.] Not about the comforts of this life; refer
it to God to embitter or sweeten it as he pleases. We must not be solicitous,
no not about the necessary support of this life, food and raiment;
these God has promised, and therefore we may more confidently expect; say
not, What shall we eat? It is the language of one at a loss, and
almost despairing; ... (2)
(2.) Take no thought for the morrow, for the time
to come. Be not solicitous for the future, how you shall live next year, or
when you are old, or what you shall leave behind you. As we must not boast
of tomorrow, so we must not care for tomorrow, or its events. (3)
One would think the command of Christ was enough to
restrain us from this foolish sin of disquieting, distrustful care, independently
of the comfort of our own souls, which is so nearly concerned; but to show
how much the heart of Christ is upon it, and what pleasures he takes
in those that hope in his mercy, the command is backed with the most
powerful arguments. If reason may but rule us, surely we shall ease ourselves
of these thorns. To free us from anxious thoughts, and to expel them, Christ
here suggests to us comforting thoughts, that we may be filled with
them. It will be worth while to take pains with our own hearts, to argue them
out of their disquieting cares, and to make ourselves ashamed of them. They
may be weakened by right reason, but it is by an active faith only that they
can be overcome. (4) Dear Lord, forgive us as we fail to trust Your
provision many times. We love You! Amen. DM (1,2,3,4) Matthew Henry
Commentary
Friday, August 6
Friday, August 6
Your Sins are more Obvious
than Mine!
Matthew 7:1-5
Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2For
with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye
mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but
considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4Or how wilt thou say to thy
brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye;
and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5Thou
hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own
eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out
the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Our short passage deals with judgment of
others forgetting that our sins are as bright as high-beam headlights and
blinding to oncoming drivers. Our Lord speaks of the splinter in the other’s
eye and the log in our own eye. We often try to justify our way of life,
thinking we are not as bad as our neighbor. My sins are secret and his are
out in the open. We even catalogue sins with number ten being the worst of
sins, and then see ours as only numbers one or two. Sometimes we say, “we are
not judging,” just referring to their sins in a belittling bit of gossip. Our
Lord had compassion on sinners and time-after-time,
He openly forgave them in public. Jesus openly forgave sinners when they came
to Him and confessed their need. He only requested they go and sin no more.
His enemies accused Him of eating with
sinners and publicans (tax collectors). His enemies were always looking for
words or actions that they could accuse Him, but there was no guile or
duplicity found in Him. What an example Jesus left us to follow in action,
words and deeds. The only way they could accuse our Lord was with false
witnesses, or people they paid to witness against Him. His enemies accused
Him of blasphemy on many occasions because His words brought conviction
against them. After all, we don’t need to confess sins if there is no
conviction that we are wrong. It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit that
brings conviction and confession of sin and repentance or turning from sin.
When you see others practicing sin, instead of finding fault, pray for them
to see their wicked ways and be converted. That was Christ’s modus operandi. RJS
Saturday,
August 7
The Goodness of God
Matthew 7:9-11
Today’s text is in the sermon that Jesus
gave on a mountain somewhere in Galilee. Earlier in this sermon Jesus had
given the disciples a model prayer (Matt. 6:9-13). Now He assured them that
God welcomes prayer, and urged them to come to Him continuously and
persistently. This is emphasized by the present tenses in the verbs: “keep on
asking”; “keep on seeking”; “keep on knocking” (7:7). Why? Because your
Father in heaven (v. 11) delights in giving good gifts (cf. James 1:17) to those who persist in prayer. (Luke
substitutes “the Holy Spirit” for “good gifts,” Luke 11:13.) No decent father would
give his son . . . a stone instead of a round loaf of bread (which looked
like a stone), or a snake instead of a similar-appearing fish. If an earthly
father, with his sinful (evil) nature, delights to do right materially for
his children, it makes sense that the righteous, heavenly Father will much
more reward His children spiritually for their persistence. (1)
One of the key problems people face is
that they are prone to doubt the goodness of God. The tempter succeeded in
getting Eve to question God’s goodness in the prohibition on eating the
forbidden fruit. I have found as Jesus teaches here, that it is
characteristic of most parents to seek the good of their children. They
willingly give to their children to help them find blessing and success in
life. As this is true of fallen humanity, we can be all the more confident of
God’s love and goodness to us.
Why is there this emphasis on prayer
then? God reserves His very special blessings to those who come to Him in
faith. He desires a relationship with us that will bring great blessing to
our lives. He will speak to our hearts as we seek Him in faith through His
Word and prayer. He desires to help us grow in our understanding of Him and
truth. If we open our hearts to His grace, we will find great blessing. If we
turn from Him and truth, we will become blind, hardened in sin and
increasingly corrupt. This corruption will prove destructive in our lives and
the lives of those close to us. This is the nature of sin and evil, and this
is not the nature of God. God desires to bless so He encourages us to seek
Him in prayer. DW
(1) Walvoord,
John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge
Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.
Sunday, August 8
Professor, or Possessor
Matthew 7:22
We have here the conclusion of this
…excellent sermon, the scope of which is to show the indispensable necessity
of obedience to the commands of Christ; this is designed to clench the
nail that it might fix in a sure place: he speaks this to his disciples… Had
he sought his own praise among men, he would have said, that was enough; but
the religion he came to establish is in power, not in word only, and therefore
something more is necessary.(1)
I. He shows, …that
an outward profession of religion, however remarkable, will not
bring us to heaven, unless there be a correspondent conversation. All
judgment is committed to our Lord Jesus; the keys are put into his hand; he
has power to prescribe new terms of life and death, and to judge men
according to them: now this is a solemn declaration pursuant to that power.
1. Christ's law laid
down. Not every one that saith, Lord, Lord,
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, into the kingdom of grace and
glory. It is an answer to that question. Who shall sojourn in thy
tabernacle? - the church militant; and who
shall dwell in thy holy hill? - the church
triumphant. Christ here shows,
(1.) That it will not suffice to
say, Lord, Lord; in word and tongue to own Christ for our Master, and
to make addresses to him, and professions of him accordingly: in prayer to
God, in discourse with men, we must call Christ, Lord, Lord; we say
well, for so he is but can we imagine that this is enough to bring
us to heaven, that such a piece of formality as this should be so
recompensed, or that he who knows and requires the heart should be so put off
with shows for substance? Compliments among men are pieces of civility
that are returned with compliments, but they are never paid as real services;
and can they then be of an account with Christ? There may be a seeming
importunity in prayer, Lord, Lord: but if inward impressions
be not answerable to outward expressions, we are but as
sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal. This is not to take us off from
saying, Lord, Lord; from praying, and being earnest in prayer, from professing
Christ's name, and being bold in professing it, but from resting in
these, in the form of godliness, without the power.
(2) DM (1,2) Matthew Henry Commentary
Monday,
August 9
Contact with Demons is
Forbidden
Throughout the Bible
Matthew 8:28-34 Compare Mark 5:1-16 and
Luke 8:26-36
Matthew mentions two men being possessed
with devils or demons and Mark and Luke only mention one. This seeming
contradiction can be cleared up with the following explanation. Only one man
responded to Jesus while the other went away, just as today there is one who
under the guidance of the Holy Spirit responds to the Gospel and another
turns away. This man’s name was Legion. In the Roman army a Legionnaire
commanded as many as twelve thousand men. Therefore, we see that this man was
totally possessed with demons. The demons cry out, What have I to do with
thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not, Luke
8:28. This was not the voice of a tormented man, but the demons identifying
Jesus as the Son of El Elyon, the Most High God. There is none greater than the “Most High God,” for there are no other gods like unto Him.
What a supernatural testimony, even the demons know who Jesus is. James 2:19 tells us that the devils (demons)
believe and tremble. Many people say that they believe in God and Christ, but
to believe you are justified without faith is still to be lost. For by
grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift
of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast, Eph. 2:8-9. It is
difficult to understand why humanity cannot accept Jesus for who He is.
Swine were considered
the lowest of domesticated animals in that day and even they refused to be
filled with demons. Rather than be possessed with these vile creatures of
Satan they committed suicide by drowning. Beelzebub or Satan is called the
prince of demons in Matt. 9:32-34 and 12:24. Demons are disembodied spirits and
they can only do their work by entering into a body and controlling a person.
Demons are not fallen angels nor are they human
spirits. We actually do not know their source, but we do know that they are
servants of Satan and go about leading ungodly humans into every form of evil
and even death. Their master is the god of this world system and seeks to
destroy all faith in Christ and the church. Let us be on guard and overcome
Satan in the power of Christ! RJS
Tuesday, August 10
The Nature of Faith
Matthew 9:4, 5
In the end, all knowledge rests on
faith. Those who reject Jesus Christ and the Bible do so with a strange and
selective skepticism. Christianity is opposed to both rationalism and
superstition. Superstition believes without rational foundation. Rationalism
refuses to believe what it does not understand in spite of evidence, which
should cause faith. In this text, we see Jesus giving powerful witness to the
truth.
Returning from the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus went to His own town, Capernaum. There … a paralytic, lying on a mat
was brought to Jesus. Several religious leaders were present and heard Jesus
tell this man, Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven. Apparently the
illness had resulted from his sin. Jesus was claiming divine authority, for
only God can forgive sins (Mark 2:7; Luke 5:21). The leaders stumbled over this and
said to themselves, Jesus is blaspheming! This was the first opposition of
the religious leaders to Jesus. Knowing their thoughts, Jesus asked them
whether it is easier to say one’s sins are forgiven, or to tell him to arise
and walk. While either statement could be spoken with ease, the first would
be “easier” in that it could not be disproved by onlookers. If, however,
Jesus had first said, Get up and walk, and the man remained paralyzed on his
mat, it would be clear Jesus was not who He claimed to be. Jesus therefore
spoke not only the easier words, but He also spoke of healing, thereby proving He has power to perform both
acts, healing and forgiving sin. (1)
Spiritual blindness is not a matter of
ability but will. People are not blind to spiritual things because they
cannot see. They are blind because they will not see. We see a great example
of this in our story. Truth could not be made any clearer in time and space,
but the religious leaders rejected Jesus. They rejected His words and they
rejected the miraculous signs that supported His words. God is the author of
faith, but people must choose to reject what they ought to believe, before
they give way to corruption and damnation. Salvation is of God, but
reprobation is a work of those who are lost. When we believe, we come to know
the truth. DW
(1) Walvoord,
John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge
Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.
Wednesday, August
11
Eating and Fasting; Standards of God or
of Men?
Matthew 9:11-15
The objections which were made against
Christ and his disciples gave occasion to some of the most profitable of …
his discourse of his power to forgive sin, and his readiness to receive
sinners, ...
I. The objection which the disciples of
John made against Christ's disciples, for not fasting so
often as they did… therefore suggested to them, that they should change that
profession for another more strict. It appears …that the disciples of the
Pharisees joined with them, and we have reason to suspect that they
instigated them, making use of John's disciples as their spokesmen… Note, it is no new thing for bad men to set good men together
by the ears; if the people of God differ in their sentiments, designing men
will take that occasion to sow discord, and to incense them one against
another…
1. How they boasted of their own
fasting. We and the Pharisees fast often. Fasting has in all ages of
the church been consecrated, …the Pharisees were
much in it; …yet the generality of them were hypocrites and bad men. Note, false and formal professors often excel others in
outward acts of devotion, and even of mortification. Note, the severer part
of religion is often most minded by those that are yet under the
discipline of the Spirit, as a Spirit of bondage, whereas, though
these are good in their place, we must pass through them to that life of
delight in God and dependence on him, to which these should lead. Now they
come to Christ to tell him that they fasted often, at least they
thought it often. Note, most men will proclaim every one his own goodness. There is proneness in professors to
brag of their own performance in religion…
2. How they blamed Christ's disciples
for not fasting so often as they did. Thy
disciples fast not. …which is a plain evidence of their
want of humility and charity.
3. How they brought this complaint to
Christ. …O, Jesus, are these thy Christians? Therefore, as we tender
the honor of Christ, we are concerned to conduct ourselves well. (1)
Dear Lord, forgive us of hypocrisy.
Guide us in Your grace and mercy. Help us to forgive others as You have
forgiven us. Amen. DM (1) Matthew Henry Commentary
Thursday, August
12
All Faithful Christians will be
Persecuted
Matt. 10:25-28
23But when they persecute you in this
city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone
over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be
come. 24The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant
above his lord. 25It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called
the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his
household? The
enemies of our Lord were calling Him Beelzebub or Satan. It is no wonder that
our enemies in the Iraq, Israel and other mid-east nations are calling America, “The Great Satan.” Beelzebub was
another name for the devil and also the name of an Egyptian god known to be
the “lord of the flies in Egypt.” Remember one of the plagues was flies
in the house, in the bread dough, all over the children, and there was no way
to get rid of them except that Pharaoh ask Moses to remove them. 27What
I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in
the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops, Christ was speaking to His
disciples and giving them instructions as how to preach. “Cry Out!” Don’t be
afraid to speak up for the Lord, after all He has done for you, how can you
keep quiet? 28And fear not them which kill the body, but are
not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both
soul and body in hell, 2 Cor. 5:6-7.
Persecution and opposition are coming to the church in America just as sure as the sun comes up
tomorrow.
Recently,\ in North Africa, a Christian, teen age slave boy was
crucified by his Islamic master for going to church and he died for his Lord.
It is believed by most fundamentals that here in America, Christians will be martyred for this
faith. We are not to be afraid, if we are really born again. We may be put to
death in the flesh, but we shall be alive in the presence of the Lord
forever. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at
home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7(For we walk by
faith, not by sight:) 8We are confident,
I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with
the Lord, 2 Cor. 5:6-8. Paul had the right
attitude; we need to think as he thought to be victorious. RJS
Friday, August 13
Dealing with Doubts
Matthew 11:3-9
Matthew had recorded (4:12) that John the Baptist had been put in
prison. The cause for his imprisonment was stated by Matthew later (14:3-4).
When John heard of all Jesus was doing, he sent some of his disciples to ask
Jesus, Are You the One who was to come, or should we expect someone else? The
words “the One who was to come” are a messianic title based on Psalms 40:7 and
118:26 (cf. Mark 11:9; Luke 13:35). John must have thought, If I am
Messiah’s forerunner and Jesus is the Messiah, why am I in prison? John
needed reassurance and clarification, for he had expected the Messiah to
overcome wickedness, judge sin, and bring in His kingdom. (1)
We make a mistake when we think our
understanding of truth is truth. Truth is infinite in complexity and beyond
our ability to understand fully. For this reason, our best understanding is incomplete.
For John the Baptist this meant that as he sat in prison he began to have
doubts. How would he deal with his doubts? He sends his disciples to ask
Jesus directly whether or not that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus does not
answer directly. He answers with fulfilled Scripture. The seed of the Word of
God both creates and strengthens faith in the soul. Romans 10:17 … faith cometh by hearing, and
hearing by the word of God. As we need food, water and air to sustain
physical life, we need God’s Word to sustain spiritual life.
The Bible is full of examples of
fulfilled prophecy. You cannot read the book of Matthew without seeing many
examples of prophecy being fulfilled in the life of Jesus Christ. The truth
is clear. It is not that God has not revealed truth or that we cannot see
truth. Rather, sin in the heart moves people to turn from truth. We dare not
do this. It is important that we read and study God’s Word. Just as we desire
food and water daily, we should desire God’s Word daily. The one is evidence
of physical life, and the other is evidence of spiritual life. If we are
having difficulty, we ought to seek those who can direct us to what we need
in God’s Word. God’s Word has everything we need for life and godliness if we
know where to look. We can be strong in faith if we spend time in God’s Word. DW (1) Walvoord, John F.,
and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary,
(Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.)
1983, 1985.
Saturday,
August 14
God Desires Mercy Rather Than Sacrifice
Matthew 12:5-12
The Jewish teachers had corrupted many
of the commandments, by interpreting them more loosely than they were
intended; a mistake which Christ discovered and rectified in his sermon on
the mount: but concerning the fourth commandment, they had erred in the other
extreme, and interpreted it too strictly. Note, it
is common for men of corrupt minds, by their zeal in rituals, and the
external services of religion, to think to atone for the looseness of their
morals. But they are cursed who add to, as well as, they who take
from the words of this book(
It is no new thing for the most harmless
and innocent actions of Christ's disciples to be evil spoken of, and
reflected upon as unlawful, especially by those who are zealous for their own
inventions and impositions. The Pharisees complained of them to their Master
for doing that which it was not lawful to do. Note,
those are no friends to Christ and his disciples, who make that to be
unlawful which God has not made to be so. (1)
First, ignorance is the cause of our rash and
uncharitable censures of our brethren. Secondly, it is not
enough for us to know the Scriptures, but we must labor to know the
meaning of them. Let him that readeth
understand. Thirdly, ignorance of the meaning of the Scripture is
especially shameful in those who take upon them to teach others. (2)
Christ having thus silenced the
Pharisees, and got clear of them, departed, and went into their
synagogue, the synagogue of these Pharisees, in which they presided, and
toward which he was going, when they picked this quarrel with him. Note, First,
we must take heed lest any thing that occurs in our way to holy ordinances
unfit us for, or divert us from our due attendance on them. Let us proceed in
the way of our duty, notwithstanding the artifices of Satan, who endeavors,
by the perverse disputing of men of corrupt minds, and many other
ways, to ruffle and discompose us. Secondly, we must not, for
the sake of private feuds and personal piques, draw back from public worship.
Though the Pharisees had thus maliciously caviled at Christ, yet he went
into their synagogue. Satan gains this point, if, by sowing discord among
brethren, he prevail to drive them, or any of them, from the synagogue, and
the communion of the faithful. (3) Turn ye at my
reproof, and I will pour out my Spirit, Pr. 1:23. DM (1,2,3)
Matthew Henry Commentary
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Sunday, August 15
Is not this the Son of
David?
Matthew 12:22-29
Matthew 12:22-23 Then was brought unto him one
possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the
blind and dumb was both speaking and seeing. And all the people were amazed,
and said, Is not this the son of David? Our Lord was under the accusatory
scrutiny of the Pharisees day by day and every time He performed a miracle
they were there to criticize and look for ways to bring about His
destruction. Someone has said, “This is the second time these leaders
committed blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.” Jesus responded to their
critical thoughts with the following, Every kingdom divided against itself
is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself
shall not stand: 26And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided
against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? 27And if I by
Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. 28But if I
cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto
you, Matt. 12:25-28. Our Lord read the thoughts of the Pharisees and
understood their reasoning. They were jealous and afraid of Jesus because He
was so superior to them. If there is jealousy in you heart, the Lord knows
and that’s a sin that breaks fellowship with Him until it is confessed and
put away. Oh, you never let on to others, but He knows. Our Lord uses great
wisdom when he speaks about a divided kingdom, because a house divided
against itself cannot stand. Even so, when we are
double minded, not following the teachings of the Scriptures, we are turning
our back upon the Lord and we become unstable in all our ways. When our Lord
did a good deed (miracle) for one of the family of Israel they should all have rejoiced. Even
today there is jealousy among many of the clergy because another preacher is
being blessed and his church is prospering. The Miracle was that the man that
was both blind and dumb was now able to see and speak. He didn’t have to
learn the language. The Pharisees were spiritually blind. It’s difficult to
reach people with the Gospel when they are so self-righteous that they cannot
see their own spiritual needs. RJS
Monday, August 16
Jesus Use of Parables
Matthew 13:10
As Jesus continued to minister to crowds
of people, He did something He had not done before. For the first time in
Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus told parables. The word “parable” comes from two
Greek words(para and ballo) which together mean “to throw alongside.” A
parable, like an illustration, makes a comparison between a known truth and
an unknown truth; it throws them alongside each other. The disciples
immediately noticed a change in Jesus’ method of teaching. They came and
asked Him directly why He was speaking in parables. The Lord gave three
reasons. First, He was communicating through parables in order to continue to
reveal truth to His disciples (Matt. 13:11-12a). Second, Jesus spoke in parables
to hide the truth from unbelievers. The secrets of the kingdom would be given
to the disciples, but would be hidden from the religious leaders who rejected
Him (13:11b, but not to them). In fact, even what they had previously known
would no longer be clear to them (v. 12). Third, He spoke in parables in
order to fulfill Isaiah 6:9-10. (1)
We might be prone to think that it is wrong for God to
hide the truth from the people who came to hear Him. What we would miss if we
think along these lines is that we cannot hear truth without being
responsible for what we hear. God is good. He will not give deeper insight to
those who have already turned from truth. This would only leave them liable
to greater punishment. In the book of Matthew, we find that the nation
rejects the King, and consequently the King rejects the nation. The nation
did not know the time of her visitation so God divorces His wife. When this
happens, Jesus begins speaking in parables.
Jesus needs to give deeper spiritual insight and
direction to His disciples without subjecting the multitude to greater
condemnation. Jesus could have tried to turn away those who appeared to be
less sincere. Many would do that today. What they need to realize is that it
is not right to turn people away. When too many come, we need to alter our
methods. Jesus did not come to judge, He came to seek and save the lost. We
have not been commissioned to judge. We need to follow Jesus’ example. DW (1)Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.
Tuesday,
August 17
Ears that Do Not Hear and Eyes that Do Not See!
Matthew 13:27-28
The parable
of the tares, and the exposition of it; they must be taken together,
for the exposition explains the parable and the parable illustrates the
exposition. Observe 1. The disciples' request to their Master to have this
parable expounded to them; Jesus sent the multitude away; and it is to
be feared many of them went away no wiser than they came; they had heard a
sound of words, and that was all. It is sad to think how many go away from
sermons without the word of grace in their hearts. Christ went into the
house, not so much for his own repose, as for particular converse with
his disciples, whose instruction he chiefly intended in all his preaching. He
was ready to do good in all places; the disciples
laid hold on the opportunity, and they came to him. Note, those who
would be wise for every thing else, must be wise to discern and improve their
opportunities, especially of converse with Christ, of converse with him
alone, in secret meditation and prayer. It is very good, when we return from
the solemn assembly, to talk over what we have heard there, and by familiar
discourse to help one another to understand and remember it, and to be
affected with it; for we lose the benefit of many a sermon by vain and
unprofitable discourse after it. It is especially good, to ask of the ministers
of the word the meaning of the word, for their lips should keep knowledge.
Private conference would contribute much to our profiting by public
preaching. Nathan's Thou art the man, was
that which touched David to the heart. (1)
2. The
exposition Christ gave of the parable, in answer to their request; so ready
is Christ to answer such desires of his disciples. Now the drift of the
parable is, to represent to us the present and future state of the kingdom of
heaven, the gospel church: Christ's care of it, the devil's enmity against
it, the mixture that there is in it of good and bad in the other world. Note,
The visible church is the kingdom of heaven; though there be many hypocrites
in it, Christ rules in it as a King; and there is a remnant in it, that are
the subjects and heirs of heaven, from whom, it is denominated: the church is
the kingdom of heaven upon earth. (2) Dear Lord, may we have
hearts that are not of stone, hearts to obey and serve You as we ought. Help
us to understand that our own sinful hearts can lead us astray. Keep us in
the narrow way of Your Holy Word! Amen. DM (1,2) Matthew Henry Commentary
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Wednesday, August
18
Four Great Questions in five short
Verses
Matthew 13:54-58
QUESTION: # 1
Whence hath this man this wisdom,
and these mighty works?
ANSWER: He is omniscient,
that is, He knows all things, for He is God. There is nothing hidden from
Him. He knows the thoughts and intents of the heart. He is omnipotent,
that is He is all powerful, He has authority over nature, evil spirits and
all sickness and frailties of the human body. He who had been in the Garden
of Eden and knew the results of the sinful fall of Adam, and the awful
results also knew how to repair the bodies of sinful men and women when they
came to Him for healing.
QUESTION: # 2
Is not this the carpenter’s son? is
not his mother called Mary?
ANSWER: Yes, he was the
carpenter’s “foster son”. When Jesus spoke of His Father, he was speaking of
his heavenly Father. At the age of twelve, he reminded his parents that He
must be about His Father’s business. His business was much higher than being
a carpenter, Luke 2:49. Jesus was obedient to his earthly parents, but
He knew that he had a much larger ministry than being a carpenter. Mary was
the servant of God to give Jesus a sinless earthly body that would die on a
cross for the sins of all mankind. He wears that glorified body in heaven
today and will return for His church some day soon.
QUESTION: # 3
and his brethren, James, and Joses,
and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not
all with us?
ANSWER: Yes, he had half
brothers and sisters. Mary and Joseph had other children and here the
brothers are called by name. Just in case you think this writer wrong, check
out Galatians 1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s
brother. Paul named James as the Lord’s brother. Unfortunately,
Jesus sisters are not named and we do not know how many there were.
QUESTION: # 4
Whence then hath this man all these things?
ANSWER: The only answer to all four questions is that He was
the God-Man in one body. He was very God and very Man! He is the only Man who
can save us for today and all eternity.
RJS
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Thursday, August 19
Walking on Water
Matthew 14:31
Jesus sent the disciples away in a boat. After
dismissing the crowd . . . He went up into the hills alone to pray (cf. John 6:15). Sending the disciples into the boat did two
things: it got them away from the crowd, and it gave them opportunity to
ponder the significance of what had just happened through them. But soon they
were in a storm. Somewhere between 3 and 6 in the morning (the fourth watch
of the night), Jesus joined them, walking on the lake to their boat—a
distance of “three or three and a half miles” (John 6:19). His power over the elements was obvious, but
there was also a lesson in faith for the disciples in this experience. Their
fear of seeing a ghost (Matt. 14:26) was relieved when Jesus announced that it was He.
But Peter wanted greater assurance that it was
really the Lord. He said, Lord, if it’s You . . . tell me to come to You on
the water. The Lord’s reply was a simple Come. Peter’s initial response
demonstrated his faith for he stepped out of the boat and began walking
toward the Lord. (Only Matthew recorded Peter’s walk on the water.) In all
recorded history only two men ever walked on . . . water, Jesus and Peter.
But Peter’s faith was challenged when he saw the wind, that is, when he saw
its effect on the water. As he sank, he cried to the Lord for help.
Immediately the Lord caught him. Jesus rebuked Peter for his lack of faith
(cf. 6:30; 8:26; 16:8), which had caused him to sink. (1)
There are special blessings reserved for those who
are willing to seek and trust God. Here, Peter is able to walk on water. In
the book of James, we read that we have not because we ask not. As
with most achievements in life, they have to be believed before they can be
achieved. More often than not, the best believers limit God’s work on this
earth through unbelief. Sadly, as we look at Peter here his faith could not
hold up with the wind and the waves. As we seek the blessings of faith, the
enemy will send the wind and the waves to challenge the strength of our
faith. We need to remember as we sink, we cannot fail, we can only quit. DW
(1)Walvoord, John F., and Zuck,
Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton,
Illinois: Scripture Press
Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.
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Friday, August 20
Man’s Philosophy and Vain Deceit
Matthew 15:2-3
Here, is the
cavil of the scribes and Pharisees at Christ's disciples, for eating with unwashen hands. The scribes and Pharisees were the
great men of the Jewish church, men whose gain was godliness, great enemies
to the Gospel of Christ, but coloring their opposition with pretence of zeal
for the law of Moses, when really nothing was intended, but the support of
their own tyranny over the consciences of men. They were men of learning and
men of business. These scribes and Pharisees here introduced were of
Jerusalem, the holy city, the head city, whither the tribes went up,
and where were set the thrones of judgment; they should therefore have
been better than others, but they were worse. Note, external privileges, if
they be not duly improved, commonly swell men up the more with pride and
malignity. Jerusalem, which should have been a pure spring, was now
become a poisoned sink. How the faithful city is become a harlot! (1)
The charge in general is, you transgress
the commandment of God by your tradition. They called it the tradition
of the elders, laying stress upon the antiquity of the usage, and the
authority of them that imposed it, as the church of Rome does upon fathers
and councils; but Christ calls it their tradition. Note, illegal impositions will be laid to the charge of those
who support and maintain them, and keep them up, as well of those who first
invented and enjoined them. You transgress the commandment of God.
Note, those who are most zealous of their own impositions, are commonly most
careless of God's commands; which is a good reason why Christ's disciples
should stand upon their guard against such impositions, lest, though at first
they seem only to infringe the liberty of Christians, they come at length to
confront the authority of Christ. Though the Pharisees, in this command of
washing before meat, did not entrench upon any command of God; yet, because
in other instances they did, he justifies his disciples' disobedience to this.(2) Col 2:8 Beware
lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the
tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Gracious Savior, forgive us when we exalt our opinions
above Your Holy Word. Help us not to be stuck in our traditions, but to be
led in Your ways by Your Holy Spirit. Amen. DM (1,2)
Matthew Henry Commentary
Saturday, August
21
Blind Leaders Leading the Blind
Matthew 15:12-17 and Jeremiah 17:9
Our Lord gives us a startling image and vividly
suggests the deplorable spirituality of the Jews when He was here on earth.
We must not be too critical, for that same deplorable condition exists today
in the churches of America. The Jehovah Witnesses & Mormon Missionaries
are out there looking for gullible people who are doctrinally ignorant of the
Holy Scriptures. People who are not grounded in the great doctrines of the
Bible and in their lack of Bible knowledge are sucked into a false
interpretation of the Scriptures. Sound Biblical doctrine is not being
taught, even in the fundamental churches, and if it were the congregations
are not interested in learning the deeper spiritual things. It was true two
thousand years ago and again today, that spirituality is only for little
children and aged women who are spending more time in their Bible because
they are preparing for their finals.
The responsibility of these blind leaders is most
serious, because they are going to have to give an account of their
perversion when they stand before the Lord. The sad part is that so many of
the blinded are thinking they are all right, and also will go into eternal
punishment because they were following the philosophies of men, instead of
the Spirit. If you are going to be a religious teacher, you must know the God
of the Bible, and the great teachings of the Bible.
A marvelous illustration is found in John 9:1-39. It
is about the man born blind and was given his sight by the Lord Jesus. When
Jesus and the blind man met, the blind man did not know who made the mud
packs and put them on his eyes. He had not seen his Benefactor. He did,
however, obey the Lord’s command and went to the pool of Siloam and the first
thing he saw was his own face reflected in the waters of the pool. It was not
until much later in the day that He knew his Benefactor. When the Pharisees
questioned the formerly blind man, his only answer was that “whereas I was
blind, now I see. The Greek word for “see” here is “bleppo.”
It is almost an exclamation point. It was a shout of jubilee and happiness.
When our eyes are opened to the great Bible truths we also rejoice in the
Lord. RJS
Sunday, August 22
God’s Supernatural Blessings
Matthew 15:33
Jesus, returning from Tyre
and Sidon, went near the Sea of Galilee . . . into the hills (cf. Matt. 14:23) where He sat down. Great crowds of people brought
a multitude of sick people to Him. In view of Mark 7:31-37, the crowds
referred to in Matthew 15:30-31 may have been Gentiles (also cf. Mark 8:13 with Matt. 15:39). Jesus healed their physical illnesses,
and people praised the God of Israel. Jesus was thus demonstrating what He will do for
Gentiles as well as for Jews when His rightful millennial rule will be
established on earth.
This ministry lasted about three days. Jesus had
compassion for them (splanchnizomai; cf. comments
on 9:36; Luke 7:13). He did not want to send them home without food.
The disciples questioned how in this remote place (cf. Matt. 14:15) they could buy enough food to feed them all. When
Jesus asked them about their present resources, they said they had seven
bread loaves and a few small fish. The disciples must have anticipated that
Jesus was going to use them again to feed this multitude, as He had done
earlier (14:13-21). Jesus told the crowd to sit down, gave thanks
for the seven loaves and the fish, and divided the food among the disciples,
who distributed it to the people. After the crowd—estimated this time at
4,000 men, besides women and children—ate and were satisfied . . . seven
basketfuls of broken pieces were picked up. This miracle demonstrated that
the Lord’s blessings through His disciples would fall not only on Israel (14:13-21)but also on Gentiles. (1)
God does not mean for us to live our lives in the
flesh. As we see here, there may be times when God’s direction leaves us in
desperate straights. Jesus could have sent the multitude away and avoided
this crisis. We can only conclude that what was going on spiritually was more
important. However, as God was leading, He takes care of the needs. He does
not want people to think suffering and loss is a part of attending to our spiritual
life. Therefore, He takes care of the needs of these people in a supernatural
way. Sadly, there are those who would like to remove the supernatural from
faith. This is absurd. Without the supernatural, there is no need for faith. DW
(1) Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, RoyB., The
Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton,
Illinois: Scripture Press
Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.
Monday, August 23
Just a Little Sin Leavens the Whole Lump!
Matthew 16:11
Here is the
caution Christ gave them, to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. He
had now been discoursing with the Pharisees and Sadducees, and saw them to be
men of such a spirit, that it was necessary to caution his disciples to have
nothing to do with them. Disciples are in most danger from hypocrites;
against those that are openly vicious they stand upon their guard, but
against Pharisees, who are great pretenders to devotion, and Sadducees, who
pretend to a free and impartial search after truth, they commonly lie
unguarded: and therefore the caution is doubted, Take heed, and beware. The
corrupt principles and practices of the Pharisees and Sadducees are compared
to leaven; they were souring, and swelling, and spreading, like leaven; they
fermented wherever they came. (1)
Their
mistake concerning this caution; they thought Christ hereby upbraided them
with their improvidence and forgetfulness that they were so busy attending to
his discourse with the Pharisees, that therefore they forgot their
private concerns. Or, because having no bread of their own with them, they
must be beholden to their friends for supply, he would not have them to ask
it of the Pharisees and Sadducees, or, for fear, lest, under pretence of
feeding them, they should do them a mischief. Or, they took it for a caution,
not to be familiar with the Pharisees and Sadducees, not to eat with them,
whereas the danger was not in their bread but in their principles. He
reproves their distrust of his ability and readiness to supply them in this
strait; “O ye of little faith, why are ye in such perplexity because
ye have taken no bread, that ye can mind nothing else, that ye think
your Master is as full of it as you, and apply every thing he saith to that?” He does not chide them for their little
forecast, as they expected he would. Note, parents and masters must not be
angry at the forgetfulness of their children and servants, more than is
necessary to make them take more heed another time; we are all apt to be
forgetful of our duty. This should serve to excuse a fault, Peradventure
it was an oversight. See how easily Christ forgave his disciples'
carelessness, though it was in such a material point as taking bread; and do
likewise. But that which he chides them for is their little faith. (2) O Lord,
a little sin leavens the whole lump. Forgive us! Amen. DM (1,2)
Matthew Henry Commentary
Tuesday, August 24
What Profit to gain the World and lose Your Soul?
Matthew 16:24-28
SELF-SEEKING IS SELF-LOSING. In these verses, Jesus
is warning his disciples of the dangers and hardships of following him. Many
are tempted to turn back because of the sacrifices and the possibility of a
violent death. Self preservation is natural; the flesh does not want to suffer.
The person who denies Christ for his own convenience lowers himself to the
level of being worthless. When Christ returns and sets upon the throne of
judgment, those who espoused Christianity for purely selfish and personal
reasons will be cast into outer darkness. Remember, He knows the thoughts and
intents of every heart. If we think only of our own salvation and are not
concerned that others be saved, here at home and around the world, we also
will give an account for our selfish attitude. Christ actually comes to save
us from our selves, because by nature we are Christ haters. It is good to
read verse 26 and than reread verse 25 as it gives us the understanding we
need.
SELF-LOSING IS SELF-FINDING. Dedication and
sacrifice are the most important part of our Christian life. Without
dedication and sacrifice we are just saved, “so as by fire,” and as His
servants we are worthless. Jesus was warning his disciples that persecution
was imminent. Persecution is all over the world and coming to America day by day. Every time you read of students being
unable to pray or wearing a T-shirt with Christian words or emblems on it you
should be reminded our society is removing every symbol of God in both words
and actions. We gain the only life worth living on earth when we deny
ourselves and embark on a career of unselfish service. The abandonment of
selfish aims is the acquisition of heavenly treasures. There is blessedness
in the life of obedience and self surrender that the selfish can never know.
Happiness does not come by aiming at it, but as a surprise to the one who is
seeking to be busy in unselfish service to God and others. What use is a
world of wealth if you are always afraid you will lose it.
True happiness is not worldly accumulation of material things, but it is the
joy of knowing you are serving the Lord to the best of your ability. Lay up
your treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not corrupt. RJS
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Wednesday, August 25
Standing for Truth takes Discernment
Matthew 17:24, 25
According to custom every Jew 20 years old and above
was required to pay a temple tax of half a shekel or two drachmas each year
to help support the temple (cf. Ex. 30:13-15; Neh.
10:32). Both Peter and Jesus had apparently not yet paid their tax (Matt.
17:27b) for that year, so the collectors sought Peter out. Their question
about the Lord’s not paying His tax implied that He was not keeping the Law.
Peter responded that the Lord would pay the tax in compliance with the Law.
Before Peter spoke to the Lord about this matter,
Jesus asked him if kings . . . collect duty and taxes from their own sons, or
from others. Peter replied that kings do not collect taxes from family
members, for they were exempt, but they do collect from others. The Lord was
demonstrating to Peter that not only should He as King be tax-free, but also
His disciples, as sons of the kingdom, should be free from such taxes (v.
26). They too had a privileged position, and the King should provide all they
needed. However, the Lord did not intend at this time to make an issue
(offend them, v. 27) over such a small point. The religious leaders were
looking for accusations to use against Jesus. Peter was told to do something
he really enjoyed: the Lord sent him fishing. He was to throw out his line
and a special catch would be brought in. This fish would have in its mouth a
specific four-drachma coin that would be the exact amount Peter needed to pay
the tax for himself and for the Lord. (1)
It is important to note that when asked not to heal
on the Sabbath; Jesus would hear none of it. What is the difference? Jesus
would not allow something as important as the Sabbath to be redefined in a
way to prohibit doing good deeds for people on the Sabbath. When it came to
paying this temple tax, Jesus did not want to fight over money. Jesus was so
much different from most who profess faith today. Most who profess faith
today would be much quicker to fight over money than important spiritual
principles. We are called to fight the enemy; not other believers. If we must
contend with other believers, there should be some vitally important
spiritual truth at the heart, or we should compromise. God is not honored
when His people contend with one another because of fleshly lusts. DW
(1) Walvoord, John F., and Zuck,
Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton,
Illinois: Scripture Press
Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.
Thursday, August 26
Where is “My” Place and
What is “My” Position?
Matthew 18:1
As there never was a greater pattern of humility, so there never was
a greater preacher of it, than Christ; he took all occasions to command it,
to commend it, to his disciples and followers. The occasion of this discourse
concerning humility was an unbecoming contest among the disciples for
presidency; they came to him, saying, among themselves for they were ashamed
to ask him, who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? They mean
not, who by character, but who by name. They had heard much, and preached
much, of the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of the Messiah, his church in
this world; but as yet they were so far from having any clear notion of it,
that they dreamt of a temporal kingdom, and the external pomp and power of
it. Christ had lately foretold his sufferings, and the glory that should
follow, that he should rise again, from whence they expected his kingdom
would commence; and now they thought it was time to put in for their places
in it; it is good, in such cases, to speak early. Upon other discourses of
Christ to that purport, debates of this kind arose; he spoke many words of
his sufferings, but only one of his glory; yet they fasten upon that, and
overlook the other; and, instead of asking how they might have strength and
grace to suffer with him, they ask him, “Who shall be highest in reigning
with him.” Note, many love to hear and speak of privileges and glory, who are willing to pass by the thoughts of work and
trouble. They look so much at the crown, that they forget the yoke and the
cross. (1)
1.
They suppose that all who h |
