Matthew 11-12.2.22
Scripture
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Observation - What does it say?
Jesus began speaking to the crowd that was around him. After addressing them about John the Baptist and the importance of repenting if you’ve witnessed God’s miracles, he speaks to those who are weary.
Do you find yourself tired as you read this? Do you find yourself weighed down? Jesus extends an open invitation to you. The invitation is to “all,” meaning no one is excluded from this encouragement to come. And he promises to give you rest.
Understanding - What does it mean?
If we aren’t experiencing rest and relief from our burdens, it’s our own fault.Jesus has extended the invitation and promise; the ball is in our court. Unfortunately, too often we find ourselves weary and burdened but rather than responding to the invitation to come to Jesus, we seek alternative solutions (anything we turn to first, instead of Jesus, is an idol) – from alcohol and prescription drugs that numb, to other people we’ve developed a dependency on, to binge watching on Netflix, to long naps in the middle of the day.
Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,
Someone once paraphrased this saying, “Don’t get drunk to forget your problems, get filled with the Spirit to conquer your problems!" It may not be getting drunk, but fill in the blank with what you tend to turn to in effort to forget your problems. Why not come to Jesus and find true rest and true peace?
Life Application
Choose to come to Jesus. As I write this, I’m feeling pretty overwhelmed and exhausted. It’s been a long week, lots of stuff going on that has been draining. And, as I look ahead there are some things happening over the several days that are weighing on my shoulders…. So this verse is really hitting home today.
God, thank you so much for this amazing invitation and promise! We take our eyes off of all that is going on around us and put them on you. We lay ourselves at your feet and ask for you to fill us with your Spirit to overflowing. You alone give us peace and rest. You alone give us strength for today. Forgive us for turning to other things. We repent and choose you today! Thank you for the peace and strength I feel even as I type this! Amen.
- Levi Thompson
Matthew 10- 12.01.22
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 10:7 TPT
“And as you GO, preach this message: ‘Heaven’s kingdom realm is accessible, close enough to touch.”
OBSERVATION:
Jesus sends His disciples out for their first mission trip. HE explains they are to GO to the lost sheep of Israel to preach the Good News, “Heaven’s Kingdom is—accessible—so close you can reach out and TOUCH it”.
Jesus sends His disciples with Authority to heal Every disease and sickness.
They were not to take any supplies-money-or even a change of clothes with them—but to rely COMPLETELY on GOD for EVERYTHING.
In His discourse, Jesus further explains about the cost of discipleship—and accompanies their instructions with warnings about endurance AND the Promise of Eternal Rewards for those who Take up The Cross and Follow Him.
UNDERSTANDING:
As you GO…Preach the Kingdom is SO Close—You can TOUCH it!
Is this not a Miraculous statement?
AND, it is every bit as TRUE Today—as it was when Jesus was sending out the Twelve.
Jesus was explaining that the Kingdom of Heaven was SO Close BECAUSE—HE has arrived on Earth. GOD, Himself as a human being was Present among mankind. AND, there’s MORE. HE was about to do something SO miraculous that no one could ever dare imagine. Be our atoning sacrifice for sin-so we could have restored relationship with God the Father.
“For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.” (Colossians 1:19-20 NLT)
Now, Those of us who are Believers Live with Christ IN us—and Heaven’s Kingdom is STILL Close enough to Touch.
“If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives IN them and they in God.” (1 John 4:15 NIV)
“Now Christ lives his life IN you!” (Romans 8:10a TPT)
“We are completely filled with God as Christ’s fullness overflows within us.” (Colossians 2:10b TPT)
LIFE APPLICATION:
God’s Heavenly Kingdom was Given SO it could be SHARED
“But you are God’s chosen treasure —priests who are kings, a spiritual “nation” set apart as God’s devoted ones. He called you out of darkness to experience his marvelous light, and now he claims you as his very own. He did this—SO…you would broadcast HIS glorious wonders throughout the world.” (2 Peter 2:9 TPT)
LORD JESUS,
I am in awe today as I ponder your goodness. You freely give…and Give. AND more than that (because there is always MORE in Your Kingdom) Your Word says YOU are able to do immeasurably MORE—according to Your Power at work IN us—More than I could ever dare to imagine or ask (Eph 3:20). So, today I pray I will begin to dare to imagine and ask—to do immeasurably MORE and seemingly impossible things—that Broadcast your glory throughout the places You send me and all Christ Followers who share this passion. May others KNOW Your very Real and Genuine Love for them through the Good News AND that the Heavenly Kingdom is REAL and close enough to Touch. In Jesus Name, amen.
Tina L Kudelka
Matthew 9-11.20.22
Scripture
Matthew 9:1-8 NIV
““Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”” At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” Then the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.”
Observation-What does it say?
This is a great example of faith in action.
“Jesus saw the faith of his friends, not of the paralyzed man himself. It was evident that they had the faith to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus and their faith was active enough to take apart a roof and lower the man down before Jesus.” (David Guzik on enduringword.com)
Understanding-What does it mean?
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” -Hebrews 11:6 NIV
The paralyzed man’s friends not only prayed to God for their friend, but they took action. As a result of them being proactive, their friend had an encounter with Jesus, his sins were forgiven AND his paralysis was healed!
Life Application
What are some ways that we can put our faith into action for a family member or friend who needs Jesus today? (Providing for a need, blessing with a meal or a gift, writing a note of encouragement/blessing, spending time with them, sharing the Gospel message, inviting to church, etc.)
-Michelle Gaddi