Matthew 16 - 8.14.24

Scripture

Matthew 16:23

“ …  You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Observation

Over and over again, Jesus is trying to get his disciples to understand spiritual concepts – to view things through God’s eyes. But they get stuck on the literal – what they see with their eyes instead of seeking God’s guidance and direction. They bring it back to themselves and how it affects them.

Application

Jesus tells the disciples to be on their guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Saducees and they think – he’s talking about yeast – it’s because we didn’t bring any bread.

Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand?

Jesus explains to his disciples that he will be persecuted and killed. Peter rebukes him – this shall never happen to you!

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Can you imagine Jesus himself telling you something and your response is, “No – you’re wrong.” And yet I think we are frequently guilty of this. God tells us he’s in control - but we don’t believe it. He tells us to believe for big things – but we tell him that’s too big, it’s not possible. He gives us direction and asks us to step out in faith – and we justify why we can’t do it.

When Jesus asks the disciples who people say he is and who they (the disciples) think he is, Simon Peter responds, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hade will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Prayer

Please forgive me for the many times when I refuse to see how you are working and things you are trying to tell me. Forgive me for my lack of faith. Work in my heart and open my eyes to see things as you see them instead of focusing on myself. Reveal yourself to me. Like Peter, use me to build your church.

- Debbie Dunn

Matthew 15 - 8.13.24

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 15: 10 - 20

 10 Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. 11 What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”

12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”

13 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Leave them; they are blind guides.[d] If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

15 Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”

16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

OBSERVATION

The Pharisees and teachers of the law had just come to Jesus, in verse 2, and the disciples to questioning why they “break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”. See the Pharisees and teachers were looking for every opportunity to catch Jesus and the disciples in some act that would disprove them as being from God. They were also looking at the external and Jesus was looking at the internal. Jesus ends up calling them out in verse 8 – 9:

8 “‘These people honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.
9 They worship me in vain;
    their teachings are merely human rules.”

In verse 10 – 20, Jesus explains it’s not about what goes into a body but what comes out.

The Disciples couldn’t understand and were more concerned about offending the Pharisees and teachers. They thought it’s important to alert Jesus that these esteemed leaders were offended by what Jesus said. They were all used to the Old Testament teachings about what goes into the body. Jesus explains it’s not about what goes in with food or lack of washing hands but it’s more about what’s in their heart that comes out. Jesus told them to leave the Pharisees alone – saying they were blind, not planted by God and would be pulled out at the root. Yikes!

Then Jesus makes it even more evident:

Jesus answers Peter with “Are you still so dull?” Jesus is basically telling Peter are you dense and blind? Whoa!! What an eye opening statement to help them understand the bigger picture. Peter’s example, just like we all might have thought, is that he’s still thinking in the physical as opposed to the spiritual inner heart of humans.

APPLICATION

I recently had a conversation with my new daughter-in-law about cursing. She warned me about a new movie that had a lot of cursing and knew I wouldn’t like it. I proceeded to tell her that in my younger non-Christian days, I had a potty mouth and could curse like a sailor. Once I became a Christian, seeing that God healed and changed me from the inside out, foul language became something foreign and obnoxious to me. This only comes from the inward transformation Jesus does to those who accept the transformation.

Ephesians 4:29

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Jesus is specifically calling out true transformation comes from inside the heart and isn’t about following external rules and regulations. Once a believer gives their life over to Jesus, that’s when the internal transformation begins and continues each day we give our life over to Christ. Just like a caterpillar that transforms into a butterfly, we are changed from the inside.

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Jesus mentions several sinful thoughts and actions that come from within. I think he brought these up not only because many can identify with the sins but possibly to also speak to the Pharisees and leaders who were walking one way in their life and doing something completely opposite. No matter what, the list explains those who do these things is evidence of an inward heart issue. Jesus is the only one who can transform the inner heart.

PRAYER

Lord, I come before you and ask forgiveness for any internal thought or external action that displeases you. Help me, Lord, to see that changing sinful actions can only start with changing our heart towards You. It’s only through Your eyes, your Word, prayer, and the Holy Spirit, that can change a heart to your ways. In Jesus name I pray. Amen!

- Mary Oberg

Matthew 14 - 8.12.24

Scripture

Matthew 14:27-31 NIV

“But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?””

Observation

The disciples were afraid because they thought it was a ghost walking towards them on the water. However, Jesus told them not to be afraid because it was Him. Peter requested that Jesus call him out into the water if it was truly Him. Jesus did, so Peter got out of the boat, went out to Jesus in the water, and started walking on water! But, when he saw the wind, he took His eyes off of Jesus and started to sink.

When Peter started focusing on the problem around him, which was the huge wind, he took His eyes off of Jesus, became afraid and started to sink. 

Peter’s fear wasn’t able to keep Him above the water. 

Application

Keep our focus on Jesus and not on the problem.

How many of us take our focus off of Jesus when problems arise? We become afraid and start worrying, instead of first praying and putting our faith in Christ, knowing that He is more than able to take care of it. I admit that I am guilty of this, as my natural default is not always prayer, but worry. Worry always leads my heart to a lack of peace. 

This is one of my life verses (which I have to remind myself of often) whenever my natural inclination is to worry or be anxious about a situation. I have also shared this verse with my daughters, as a reminder whenever they start to feel worried about a situation. Remembering to balance my requests with thanksgiving is very important as well! 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Prayer

Dear Lord, I admit that I would have reacted the same way as Peter did in fear because I have done so so many times before. Please forgive me for losing my focus on You. I really don’t like the unrest it brings to my spirit. When life's challenges hit, may I seek You first in prayer so that my spirit would be at peace. Instead of meditating on the problem or issue at hand, please help me keep my eyes on You and Who You are. May I also remember to balance thankfulness with my requests to You. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi