Matthew 25-12.22.22
Scripture
Matthew 25:37-40 NIV
““Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
Observation-What does it say?
Jesus tells 3 parables to illustrate what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. The verses above come from the parable that Jesus explained regarding sheep and goat. He put the sheep (righteous) on his right and the goats on his left. The righteous were rewarded because they loved and did something about the needy, hungry, sick and the imprisoned, which Jesus said was the same as doing it to Him. However, those on his left were not rewarded, but instead punished for neglecting to love in action those who were in need.
Understanding-What does it mean?
There is always action associated with loving people, just like there is always action associated with loving God.
It reminds me of what James said in James 2:15-17-"Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
Also, the people that Jesus points out in this parable are not those who are well off or have their lives together. They are people that society tends to shun. People who are hungry, thirsty, needing shelter, needing clothing; those who are sick and in prison. Those are the people that Jesus points out for us not to neglect.
Life Application
How can I show love to someone today?
Let's do one practical thing to show love to someone today, whether it is buying a homeless person a meal, being a pen pal and encouragement for someone institutionalized/imprisoned, feeding a hungry child, blessing a family with a gift card or meal who is going through grief, following up on someone's health issue, blessing someone with a fridge full of groceries, taking a friend out to a meal who is struggling, etc.
There's a lot we can do to practically show love to people, specifically the broken, hurting and needy, which in turn is how we show love to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Dear Jesus, you didn't hang out with the prestigious and righteous people of your day. You hung out with the broken, the hurting, the sick and the unrighteous sinners. Most importantly, you loved us so much to leave Your throne in Heaven to save us, and You did it in the most humble way. Thank you! May Your heart for people be ours. May we be intentional about loving people, "the least of these", through action. May we be more outward focused, than inward focused. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Matthew 24-12.21.22
Scripture
Matt. 24:42
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Observation-What does it say?
This chapter speaks about the End Times and Jesus’ return. It started when His disciples were admiring the buildings around them, but Jesus told them they would pass away. His disciples then asked when this would happen. Jesus explains to His disciples the importance of being ready now, because the day or hour of His return is unknown. Jesus and the angels do not even know when it will happen (Matt. 24:36). At the end of the chapter, He speaks about a wicked servant who was tired of waiting for his Master and started living like his Master would never return. He started beating his servants, and getting drunk with other drunkards. The master returned at that time and the servant was assigned a place with the hypocrites, where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth (aka hell).
Understanding-What does it mean?
Stay faithful and obedient. God always keeps His promises and the promise of Jesus' return will happen.
I was reading in Hebrews 11 this morning and it is interesting how it parallels with the Scripture passage this morning in Matthew. Basically, Hebrews 11 describes the heroes of the faith and their life of faith in Christ. This part of the Scripture stood out to me: “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” -Hebrews 11:13-16 NIV
So, according to Scripture, these people lived by faith until they died even though they didn’t see or receive the things promised to them. What kept them going is their hope of eternity, knowing that this was their temporary, not permanent home.
Life Application
Be Kingdom minded and focused. This world is not our home.
In this world, we will have trouble, but Jesus promised that He has overcome the world. (John 16:33)
“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:17 NIV)
As we put our hope and faith in the promise of Christ’s return and our eternal home, the struggles of this life pale in comparison. Let us be encouraged to not give up in the faith and not give up doing our Master’s business and living with integrity so that we could hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” It is not worth the fate of hell that the wicked servant received, whom the Master was displeased with when He returned.
Dear Lord, I pray that our faith in You would strengthen as we remember and wait on Your promised return. I pray we would be encouraged to keep pressing forward in obedience, knowing that our home is not here, but in Heaven. I pray we would wait on You. Amen.
Here are some Scriptures on waiting on the Lord that I encourage myself with when growing tired of waiting:
Gal. 6:9- And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Ps. 69:3 I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.
James 5:7-Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.
Lamentations 3:25-The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.
Psalm 27:14-Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
Isaiah 40:31 But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Ps. 130:5-6 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.
-Michelle Gaddi
Matthew 23-12.20.22
Scripture
Matthew 23:23-24
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
Observation
Throughout Matthew 23, Jesus is calling out the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. They knew the law, and they strictly followed it, but they didn’t let it permeate their hearts. They followed rules for rules sake and to look holy, not for the sake of God or other people or to BE holy. Jesus said listen to them, for they know the law, but do not be like them.
Understanding
I was recently listening to a discussion on nativity displays. It was mentioned that Christians are upset when nativity scenes and other Christian symbols are removed from public spaces under the separation of church and state argument. The speaker made a great point. He was not arguing against nativity scenes or other symbols, but he said, “People should be able to tell we are Christ followers by our words and actions, not by the symbols we display. If we are not acting out our faith, then we are simply arguing to maintain a culture, not a faith.”
Life Application
I, like the Pharisees, have a tendency to focus on the rules. It’s easier to check the boxes – read my bible – check, paid my tithe – check. Sat in God’s presence and let Him speak to my heart? Gave to someone generously, beyond what was required?
Lord, may I be someone who shines Your light, someone who lives in a way that makes people want to know You. Forgive me for the times I only go through the motions. Fill me with your presence.
-Debbie Dunn