Matthew 8-11.29.22
SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 8:1-4
"When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed Him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before Him and said, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. "I am willing," He said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, "See that you don't tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."
OBSERVATION:
Jesus had just come down from the Mount of Beatitudes. His miracles and teaching had attracted a great deal of attention, and great multitudes followed Him. A leper came and worshipped Him. Being a leper in the ancient world meant that you literally had no hope of recovery. Leprosy is a horribly progressive disease that may begin with the loss of all sensation in some parts of the body, the muscles waste away, the tendons contract until the hands and feet are like claws. There follows ulceration of the hands and feet. Then comes the progressive loss of fingers and toes, until in the end a whole hand or a whole foot may drop off. The duration of that kind of leprosy is anything from twenty to thirty years. (Barclay)
UNDERSTANDING:
The condition of leprosy is a model of sin and its effects. It is a contagious, debilitating disease that corrupts its victim and makes him essentially dead while alive! Rabbis especially despised lepers, and saw them as people under the special judgement of God, deserving no pity or mercy. This desperate leper came to Jesus by himself. He knew how terrible his problem was, and he knew other people had given up on him as having a hopeless condition. He had no one who would or could take him to Jesus. He had no invitation from Jesus or the disciples. He must have felt ashamed and alone in the crowd. Despite his desperate condition, this man not only begged Jesus, he also worshipped Him. He worshipped Him by bowing before Jesus. He called Him, "Lord", and he humbled himself by not demanding - but leaving the request up to the will of Jesus. He worshipped Jesus with his confidence that Jesus could heal him IF HE WAS WILLING! The leper wanted more than healing, he wanted cleansing; not only from the leprosy, but also from all its terrible effects on his life and his soul. Jesus was willing! He moved with compassion and put out His hand and touched the leper, and immediately the man was cleansed! Then Jesus commanded the man to give testimony of his healing to only the priests! (enduringword.com).
LIFE APPLICATON:
We were all born in sin. Our sin is what kept us from being able to have a relationship with God. BUT, in His mercy and grace God extended His love toward us, and was willing to send His Son Jesus to die on the cross in order to pay the full penalty for our sins. Through Jesus we have been forgiven, and we have been made right with God! Not because of anything we've done, but because of Jesus! We are now able to stand before God as righteous and justified! (JUST AS IF WE'VE NEVER SINNED!) Despite our past desperate condition, we are now able to stand in God's presence and enjoy a personal, lasting relationship with Him. We are no longer victims of being dead while alive! We have been born-again! We have been cleansed and made right before our Heavenly Father.
I'm so very grateful that when we call out to Jesus, and believe He is Lord, He is not only able to touch us and heal us... He is willing!
-Robin Orefice
Matthew 7-11.28.22
Scripture
Matthew 7:24
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
Observation – What does it say?
This analogy Jesus shares, comes right on the heels of a teaching about the fate of those who don’t do God’s will. He informs the crowd gathered during what we now refer to as “The Sermon on the Mount,” that he will reject those who didn’t do his Father’s will; even those who did miracles in his name. He emphasizes his point in this teaching about the wise and foolish builders, making a clear distinction between those who listen and obey and those who listen and do nothing. One will stand firm while the other collapses; one received by God while the other is rejected.
Understanding – What does it mean?
In reading this, I am reminded of Jesus’ younger brother, James. As pastor of the church in Jerusalem, he wrote to them urging, “Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says!” There is serious consequence for disobedience. For those of us who read God’s word frequently, who hear sermons often, God is going to hold us to a higher standard! We can’t claim that we didn’t know better. With every command of God we read, every challenge toward obedience we hear, we mustn’t take it lightly or allow it to stop with good intentions. Jesus is clear that the only one who is blessed, who is received by God, who is going to stand firm, is the one who does God’s will.
Life Application
God, where have I been failing to do your will? Show me the areas I’ve been failing to put your word into practice. I know I am saved by your grace, through my faith and not my works. But, I also know that the genuineness of my faith will be reflected by the way I live. Please help us to be a people who have a genuine faith, expressed through passionately seeking to do your will. Amen.
-Levi Thompson
Psalm 122 - 11.25.22
Scripture - What stood out?
Psalm 122
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.”
8 For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your prosperity.
Observation - What does it say?
A psalm of David rejoicing in the house of the Lord! At the time God’s literal house was in Jerusalem. And this is where the rest of the nation would go as commanded to praise God.
Understanding - What does it mean?
What is it all for?
For the sake of my family and friends…
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God…
As David sings/psalms about the city of Jerusalem and the people in it he explains his heart to God. He prays for security and peace. He prays for prosperity. And its all for the sake of those he loves - his family, his friends, the house of the Lord!
King David was able to see what really mattered. He loved God. And he loved others. He sought to prosper God’s kingdom. He sought to secure the people around God’s house. He prayed for peace for all!
Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?
Lord help my life to have a little more clarity this day. Lord for the sake of Your house, for the sake of my family and friends, for the sake of those who love You I request a blessing of peace, security, and prosperity this morning.
Mathew 6
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.
-kenneth lee