Matthew 20 - 7.20.26
Scripture
Matthew 20:21-22 NIV
““What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered.”
Observation
The mother of James and John comes up to Jesus and makes a request on behalf of her sons. She asks Jesus if her sons can sit at the right and left side of Him when Jesus establishes His kingdom. But you see, James and John’s mother is still thinking Jesus is going to overthrow the Roman Empire, establish His earthly kingdom and put Israel back on the map again. But, the kingdom Jesus is going to establish is not an earthly one, but rather a heavenly one.
Application
We should be glad that Jesus doesn’t give us everything we ask for.
I remember a time when a promotional opportunity came up for me at work. I felt it was the perfect spot for me. The job was not only gonna pay me more, but the location that I would be working out of was as close to home as I could get! To add the “cherry on top,” the job was less busy and less stressful than my current job at the time. I remember praying to Jesus every day. I’d ask Him to give me favor when I interviewed for the position. I asked that He bless me with this job so I can help out with my family. So, I interviewed for it and it was actually one of the best interviews I ever had! So a couple of months go by and I find out that they gave the job to another guy. I was confused. How could this happen? I was almost certain Jesus was going to come through and answer my prayer!
Fast forward a year or two later. I am in a new job location at work. I still carry the same work title and pay, but definitely a less chaotic work environment than my previous spot. Now get this. This job had required me to help out every now and then at the job location I previously interviewed for and let me tell you, the days I had to cover there were so miserable for me. It was so boring there 😫! There was no human interaction, (other than the truck drivers I had to load/unload). It was a one-man operation, in the middle of nowhere, with no one to talk to. Now I know some people may like those type of work conditions, but even for an introvert like me, that was a bit much. Let’s just say, I’m glad that Jesus didn’t answer my prayers regarding that job. It seems Jesus knew what was best for me. 😁
The same can be said in this particular passage in regards to what James and John’s mother was asking of Jesus. She had no clue the bitter cup of suffering that Jesus was about to endure on that cross. She and her sons were only focused on obtaining those highly sought after prominent positions of stature seated at the right and left hand of Jesus in His kingdom. But like I mentioned earlier, Jesus was not there to establish His earthly kingdom, but rather his heavenly kingdom. In order to do that, it started at His sacrifice on the cross and who were at Jesus’ right and left side on that cross?…the two thieves, who too were being crucified. Now, would the mother of James and John or any mother for that matter want that sort of fate for their sons?! I think not. I think it’s safe to say that she too was glad that Jesus didn’t give her what she asked for.
At the end of the day, Jesus doesn’t always give us what we ask for. It could be a job request, a physical healing, or even getting us out of a difficult situation. But, we need to trust in Him. We need to understand that He knows what is best for us. We need to know that He is faithful. He will never leave our side and He will give us the strength and fortitude to carry us through.😊
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”-Proverbs 3:5-6
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for being someone I can trust in. Thank You for being someone who I know wants the best for me. Forgive me for being childish and wanting my ways all the time. Let me remember how You set the example for me in the Garden of Gethsemane. You put aside Your desires of wanting that bitter cup taken away, to submit to the Father’s ways. May my life, my prayers, be about seeking Your will to be done over my own. In Your precious name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi
Matthew 17 - 7.17.26
Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9
1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Observation
This is the Transfiguration of Jesus, he transformed from the inside out right in front of Peter, James and John. He was shining like a bright light, like the sun and standing right there with him was Moses and Elijah. The disciples were terrified and didn’t know what to say, so Peter said he could build three shelters or tents for them, but you can’t contain God’s Glory in a tent. As Peter was talking, he was interrupted by a bright cloud that covered them and a voice from the cloud told who Jesus is. Jesus is the radiance of God’s Glory. We see the same thing spoken about Jesus at the beginning of His ministry.
Matthew 3:16 - 17 - As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
If the disciples had any doubt that Jesus was the Messiah, I think this would have been a real eye opener. God was pulling out all the stops! He was showing up for our Jewish disciples. The law being given to Moses is now here…Jesus. All the Glory from Mt. Sinai, which shone on Moses’ face and all the Glory of Jesus was right here in front of them. They were overwhelmed by God’s Glory…it was wonderful and scary but they didn’t want to leave.
Application
As Believers who are blood bought, saved by Grace, we too want to stay in our safe buildings and structures and enjoy God’s presence while the world outside is dying. Jesus took the disciples down the mountain right back into the messiness of life. The Glory of God goes out into the world, community and our screwed-up lives. God’s Glory is not just going to shine from a mountaintop, it’s going to be found in you and me. The Glory of God won’t be contained, we are reflections of His Glory. God’s Glory is found as we live out Jesus among us. God’s Glory is all over the place. You can be part of God’s Glory. If the Church of Jesus isn’t about the business of reflecting God’s Glory, we are missing the mark. You have to leave the sunset, the mountain, the awesome worship and the building because the Glory of God is to be lived out. Jesus has called us to be the Bearers of His Glory to the world. Are you bearing God’s Glory?
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Help us to be busy about your business. We are your hands and feet in this world and we ask that you use us for your kingdom. Lord, search our hearts and purify us, so that we will be bright reflections of your Glory. Give us a heart that has compassion for the world that is hurt and dying. Help us to be bearers of Your Glory!
- Michelle Craig
Psalm 125 - 7.16.26
S - Psalm 125:1-2
“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.”
O - Sometimes I can fall into the belief that my trust in the Lord, the faith that I choose to put in trusting Him when it is hard to, is not doing much if I look around and that situation I am CHOOSING to trust in doesn't look much different. Ever been there?
I love when scripture gives us a visual, like this one in these first few verses of Psalm 125: those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion.
For context, Mount Zion was the highest point in Ancient Jerusalem. So I can imagine this visual for those who had seen this mountain, was one of vastness and incomprehensible greatness in sight. When I stand at the bottom of a mountain, I often look up and feel so small. The vastness of mountains often gives me perspective as to how physically small we are in this world, but simultaneously stirs up this strength in me and I sit in awe and wonder in how big the mountain’s creator is. When I think of this passage and its connotation to our lives, I see it as a perspective shift in the moments we fall into discouragement towards the choice to trust in the Lord. I am here to say, your trust in God is bigger than you may believe. I do not say this because I made this truth up to make all of us feel better in a time of discouragement, but this is the word of God and truth of God. Your trust in God is not something miniscule, but it is ultimately big.
Though it may feel small in the moment or when you feel discouraged that what you see is not changing, the word of God says that your choice to trust in God is comparable to Mount Zion. Tall and vast, strong and mighty, and your trust in God is what will be your ultimate protection, your ultimate provision, and your steadfastness that keeps you from being shaken by the wind that comes and storms that pass.
I believe someone reading this needs to be encouraged in that your choice to trust is doing bigger things for you than you may see or you may believe. Continue to choose to trust.
A - Write down the areas you are choosing to trust in God right now, especially the areas that feel harder to trust in Him. Choose to intentionally shift your perspective to that of the Psalmist . . . declare over your trust, this is bigger than I may see.
P - Lord, thank you for bringing strength in my trust in you. No matter how big or small, choosing to trust in you is greater than my eye can see. Bless me with perspective that will help me continue on in choosing to trust you when it doesn't make sense. I love you Lord, thank you for loving me first and having my good at the front of your mind. Amen.
- Tess Schrupp