It is the first day of school. The students run in with eagerness, ready to reunite with all their friends. As I former teacher, I remember every first day of school. Their adrenalin at extreme levels packed them with excitement. First day meant unprovoked giggling and laughter while supplies fell out from overpacked backpacks.
Most teachers, like myself, are also excited to meet our new students! But we are also challenged because it is a day of explaining the procedures that will guide the success of being in the class to learn and grow in knowledge together. It is “the behavior plan” that will help all students work alongside each other for optimum learning. They are called “the rules” for the year. The rules will bring order to chaos that would ensue without a guide to help them learn in a designated space with many others.
Yes, this is the first day activity after assigning seats and putting supplies away. “One, two three, eyes on me,” says the teacher as she/he begins the lesson on expected behavior so all will go well in the learning process.
Jesus, our Master Teacher, the Master of all great teaching methods for optimum learning, gives his followers a guide for behavior on the mountain top that day that simplified what they had been told. This guide came from the heart of God so that life will go well as followers learn and grow in God’s ways.
Matthew 7:1-12, The Message
A Simple Guide for Behavior
1-5 “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
6 “Don’t be flip with the sacred. Banter and silliness give no honor to God. Don’t reduce holy mysteries to slogans. In trying to be relevant, you’re only being cute and inviting sacrilege.
7-11 “Don’t bargain with God.Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?
12 “Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get.
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
God’s guide is designed to keep our eyes on Him, learn how He works, how he loves, along with how He treats those He loves so we can grow up, consistently maturing with the holy traits of His character. As we love Him back, we realize the depth of love He has for us which enables us to go deeper in our love for each other.
God’s love is amazing. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV) God also sent His Son, Jesus to teach us how to live here with each other before we spend eternity with Him where He is.
Jesus’ teaching is masterful and incredibly genius! Read and we will notice that the same “rules for the classroom” are wonderfully articulated as a simple guide for living a life that please God and protects us from each other while providing for our basic needs.
Love God. Love Each Other. These two great commandments are at the root of the “rules” for living. Without the love of God in our hearts, the rules are only rules. With the love of God in our hearts we see the reason for the rules that guide us in our intimate, ever growing relationship with God and for others.
The students in my classroom didn’t always follow the rules, shocking I know, but after the consequences were dealt with, the apologies given; the students were given a fresh start with forgiveness. The past was put behind them; a new day before them. I learned that from Jesus! Jesus, the Master Teacher, was my “go to” as my guide for my own behavior.
Lord,
You are Life. You have all the answers for living life well. I run to you when perplexed over problems, overwhelmed with overthinking, and confused about certain circumstances that rise up to bring me down and distract me from you. Thank you for the greatest sermon on earth that explains how to live in ways that please you most and protects us from each other. Now give me the courage and wisdom to live it daily. May your love lead my behaviors.
“You are my strength when I am weak, You are the treasure that I seek…”
During the pandemic of covid we all did it. We stocked up on toilet paper! We bought more than we needed because everyone else was stockpiling it for unknown reasons other than “just in case.” In case of what? I really never understood why toilet paper became such an “issue of tissues” of great proportion, a “clear and present danger” if we didn’t stockpile this national treasure in our homes! Our FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) was on high alert! “All we like sheep…”
I wonder if God and his angels were tearfully laughing over what mankind was thinking and doing during this challenging time in our world when we all could have pulled together—in His Name for His glory? But I also wonder how His heart must have grieved over souls without Jesus who lost their lives while we were busy buying toilet paper and arguing? I wonder how God felt when we who said we were believers who could withstand anything that life would give us because of our faith in God, began to argue and cause division over stupid stuff? Mask or no mask? Hoard before others can get what they need? Close or not to close public places? And the list goes on and on and still does…
No matter what we think about the stupid stuff, it just doesn’t matter in the end. The real issue was and is, the condition of our hearts showing what we treasure most—our way or God’s way. Yikes.
Jesus preaches a better way to live a life of God-worship! Put down the toilet paper and cling to the lasting treasures of God’s relentless love, tremendous mercies that are fresh with each new day, along with His gifts of grace. Stockpile the peace that passes all understanding that Jesus provides for us on earth that follows us to heaven! Pile up wisdom that God generously gives when we ask and use it now to live life to the full! Store up the eternal joy that fills our souls and transfers to heaven without losing anything in the passage.
“Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.”
Matthew 6:19-34, The Message
A Life of God-Worship
19-21 “Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
22-23 “Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a musty cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!
24 “You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both.
25-26 “If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
27-29 “Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers.They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
30-33 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
34 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
FOCUS ON GOD! I don’t know about you, but I feel pretty silly about buying toilet paper. Every time I look at a roll of it, I think about how foolish mankind was (and is) and thank God for saving me and teaching me through uncertain times with His blessed assurance.
FOMO? Not a chance, if we believe in Jesus and what He has done to save us! Don’t miss out on the saving grace of Jesus Christ! He is the treasure that we seek! His character traits become what we seek as we grow to be like the One who saved us from all our sins!
INVEST! All the treasures that we should invest in, take inventory of, and stockpile in our hearts, minds and souls grow significantly and exponentially as God does His special work in us. These are the treasures that transfer to heaven:
“…the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.” Galatians 5:22-26
People are drawn to the One who invested His life in us by laying down His life for us.
May our lives tell the story of the glory of our One who died and rose again, “the pearl of great price”, the Hope of heaven, the Savior and Lord of our lives—all because of His love for His created. He is the treasure that I seek…
In Jesus Name, Amen
You are my strength when I am weak You are the treasure that I seek You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel Lord to give up I’d be a fool You are my all in all
Jesus Lamb of God worthy is Your name Jesus Lamb of God worthy is Your name
Taking my sin my cross my shame Rising again I bless your name You are my all in all When I fall down you pick me up When I am dry You fill my cup You are my all in all
Jesus Lamb of God worthy is Your name Jesus Lamb of God worthy is Your name
Jesus Lamb of God worthy is Your name Jesus Lamb of God worthy is Your name
Jesus Lamb of God worthy is Your name Jesus Lamb of God worthy is Your name Worthy is Your name Worthy is Your name
Sometimes we wait until problems and circumstances overwhelm us before we pray to Father God who is standing by to help.
Sometimes we wait to pray until we feel we have the “right words” to say to Him.
Sometimes we wait until our bitterness becomes less predominant in our thoughts before we pray.
Sometimes we wait until we feel better about ourselves before we pray.
Sometimes we wait until our angry subsides over being wronged before we pray.
Sometimes we wait until we can be honest about our sins before we pray—as if God didn’t know.
And sometimes we pray out loud, in public, at church, and don’t mean a word we say.
I have learned to pray no matter what, on all occasions, because it is God who is waiting on us to talk with Him simply and humbly so He can tell us how problems can be solved, how life can be better by making us better with renewed minds, cleansed hearts, refreshed souls with restored joy that is eternal. The words don’t matter as much as the heart does. Jesus said…
Matthew 6:5-18, The Message
Pray with Simplicity
5 “And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for fifteen minutes of fame! Do you think God sits in a box seat?
6 “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
7-13 “The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:
Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what’s best— as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You’re in charge! You can do anything you want! You’re ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes.
14-15 “In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do.You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.
16-18 “When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don’t make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won’t make you a saint. If you ‘go into training’ inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn’t require attention-getting devices. He won’t overlook what you are doing; he’ll reward you well.
Lord,
Hallowed is Your Name. Great are you, Lord. May Your Kingdom come and dwell in my thoughts. May Your Will be done in every detail of my life today. Give us this day a time to rejoice and a time to reflect on who we really need—You. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who hurt and offend us. Lead us not into temptations to take care of matters on our own, to fight back, or to get even but deliver us from evil and evil’s schemes to distract and destroy us. Nothing is too hard for you. We can do nothing of significance without you. Come, Lord Jesus, and abide in us as we abide in you. To you be all the glory, honor, and praise forever and ever, Amen!
There are many things that we do, as believers and not yet believers, that must break the heart of God as he looks over the earth seeking those who are completely committed to Him. One of those heartbreaking behaviors is “acting as it” we know it all as do only what it takes to look good in front of others but wouldn’t lift a finger unless we have an audience. I have known people on the job who only smile, get up from their chair to do the work with you, when they hear the boss come walking down the hall. They “act as it” they have been doing it all along and boast of all they have done with how hard it was to do it! When the boss leaves, they return to their complaining perch while you finish the tasks assigned. Sigh.
I have known people who do good but must have a photo of themselves doing good in order to get the applause of those they so desperately want to impress. Sigh.
I will never forget a profound experience I had as a new first grade teacher. I was asked by my church family, who I thought could use some help at Christmas—the “needy family” we could help as a project. At first, I didn’t feel comfortable with the words they used, but I did know a family who could use the help. I loved this family and I loved teaching their little boy who was such a great helper to me in our first grade classroom. He was always quietly eager to help, not like the other kids who shouted, “I want to help” until I told them what the task involved. Daniel would humbly do whatever I asked him to do—without complaining! He was rare kid and I loved his beautiful attitude. I knew of some his circumstances at home and I did want to help.
However, before giving the name of this family to the church, I first asked the mom if we could help because I highly respected Daniel’s family. It was a few days before Christmas when churches and other benevolent organizations pick the “needy” to help because, well, it’s Christmas! They may have good intentions at first but then these good intentions turn into public photo shoots to display their “goodness.” Sigh.
This is why I approached the family first. I found out they had been burned with good intentions of an organization who gave with strings attached along with humiliation. This organizations would give only if the news media was there at the “giving” so pictures could be made, the family interviewed, and a story about how good the giving organization was to bestow gifts at Christmas to this “needy” family going through a rough patch. Sigh.
I was appalled at hearing about her family’s previous experience. I told her our church, which I was a part of, would not treat them in this manner. I told her we would come only to leave the gifts for you and your husband to give to your family as you see fit. No photos. No applause. We only want to help because I love your little boy so much and I highly respect the young gentleman you are raising to be a good citizen of our classroom. She then accepted the help only when she felt the love behind it. Love is the key.
Matthew records the message Jesus gives to people who want to learn who God is and how to please Him. Playacting is not one of those ways. “Acting as if” breaks the heart of God and cheapens the giving.
Matthew 6:1-4, The Message
The World Is Not a Stage
“Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding.
2-4 “When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to yourself. You’ve seen them in action, I’m sure—‘playactors’ I call them—treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that’s all they get. When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
Be like Daniel, my former first grader, who had the gift of giving, who knew how to please his teacher with his humble attitude and willingness to obey because we loved and respected each other.
Let Love lead. God’s Love in us must lead our actions and behaviors that flow from pure hearts.
Help without thinking about applause with rewards.
Be a helper who obeys God’s promptings to help because He knows who needs it most at just the right time.
Do what God’s Holy Spirit says at the right time, in the right place, in the right Spirit without a thought to what you will receive in return. This is the definition of a true disciple of Jesus.
“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17, NLT
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23) We all experience and fall for the temptation of pride. We must run from the temptation of doing good only for the applause of those we want to impress on earth. The sin of pride is prompted by the evil one who was kicked out of heaven for possessing this very character flaw. Satan still wants all the glory. So, run from pride that seeks applause every time you help someone. “Pride goes before a fall” is one the most quoted Proverbs for a reason. (Proverb 16:18)
And no photos, please! The only picture of us necessary is the one God sees. God sees our hearts and knows our motivations. Be still and know God, let go of self-righteousness, and look up for His help to be better at doing good deeds to benefit others—prompted by His Holy Spirit.
Being comes before doing any good work in Jesus Name. Jesus spent quiet time with His Father in Heaven before doing…who are we to think we don’t need direction from the same Father?
“That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.” Matthew 6:4, MSG
Lord,
Thank you for teaching us to keep our motivations in sync with Your Holy Spirit. Forgive us when we go off the grid of your love, mercy, and grace and do only what pleases our selfish desires. Be our wisdom and strength for today.
Over the past few months, I have been dealing with a company that is not doing or providing any of the services they said they would upon purchasing their product. Sound familiar? Promises made at the sales table to get you to buy what they are selling, while saying yes to every question you ask, then later “gaslighting” you is becoming so predominant, most of us develop trust issues with all companies.
We look for someone, anyone, to tell us the truth, but it is getting harder to find. We look into their eyes looking for some form of honesty; but find only blank gazes for they know not what they are doing. Sigh. All we get are empty promises.
Empty promises made by all kinds of people, in and out of the “church,” are bad, sinful behaviors that have been around for ages. People who lie to us fall into our “enemy category” and become people to avoid because we allow them to rob us of our peace. Love, mercy, and grace are not usually on our agendas when relating to “enemies” who hurt us deeply.
Jesus addresses these problems in the “Greatest Sermon on Earth”!
Matthew 5:33-48, The Message
Empty Promises
33-37 “Anddon’t say anything you don’t mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, ‘I’ll pray for you,’ and never doing it, or saying, ‘God be with you,’ and not meaning it. You don’t make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.
Love Your Enemies
38-42 “Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
43-47 “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
48 “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
Above all, as believers in Jesus, our true, God-created identity is in Him! To live out our true identities we must “grow up” as one who thinks, talks, and walks like a member of His family. To become like Jesus in his Kingdom of God thinking, we pray for help and He gives it to us generously—as promised!
The company I spoke of required a lot of praying on my part to deal with them without losing my identity in Christ. Resolution didn’t seem to be in sight until I gave generously, expecting nothing in return, with knowing God would take care of the rest. Yesterday, the issue was finally resolved, mostly in their favor, but my peace is restored. Peace is priceless.
Jesus taught us to pray for our enemies, those who Satan uses to spitefully use and abuse us, hurt, and demean us, for a reason—to regain His peace in a fallen, broken world so we do not lose our identity with Him. Keep the communications lines open at all times!
Empty promises, gaslighting, along with narcissistic behaviors that make us wonder who we are and question what we should be doing all come from our real enemy who is working overtime to destroy our identity with God. He does this by first distracting us from God.
Jesus’ sermon clarifies how we should respond as Kingdom of God thinkers.
The enemy confuses with empty promises and placates us with pride. Jesus gives peace that passes all understanding and teaches us to be humble.
The enemy hates. Jesus loves friends and enemies—without conditions.
The enemy rushes to judgement. Jesus, who has every right to judge, came to save us.
The enemy is tight-fisted with resources. Jesus is generous beyond our wildest dreams.
The enemy abuses us. Jesus abides with us, filling us with power, wisdom, and love.
Take Note: Our “enemies” are used by God to refine us, knocking off the rough edges, so our identity with Jesus is more defined! We become more like Jesus as we listen to Him while trusting and obeying His Spirit. Our identity in Christ fleshes out as we begin to develop His character and bear the fruits of His Holy Spirit. And what are those behaviors we grow into and what does our identity look like in Jesus? Paul created a list for greater understanding—
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.” Galatians 5:22-26, NLT
If we identify with Jesus, we behave differently, in unexpected ways by worldly standards. We go the extra mile, give of ourselves generously without thinking what we will receive in return. We love graciously as if our lives depended on it, while walking humbly with God. Jesus is who matters to us most. Jesus changes everything about us as we identify with Him as our Savior and Lord of our lives.
Lord,
Your promises are true. We can depend on your relentless, unconditional, unchanging love for us. What you say, you will do. Who we are is who you are in us. Lead me on, Lord, lead me on…Great is your faithfulness, Oh Lord.
In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen
And I’m singing “Promises” by Maverick City—
God of Abraham You’re the God of covenant And of faithful promises Time and time again You have proven You’ll do just what You said
Though the storms may come and the winds may blow I’ll remain steadfast And let my heart learn, when You speak a word It will come to pass
Great is Your faithfulness to me Great is Your faithfulness to me From the rising sun to the setting same I will praise Your name Great is Your faithfulness to me
When the seasons change You remain the same
God from age to age Though the earth may pass away Your word remains the same, yeah Your history can prove There’s nothing You can’t do You’re faithful and true
Though the storms may come and the winds may blow I’ll remain steadfast And let my heart learn, when You speak a word It will come to pass
Great is Your faithfulness to me, oh Great is Your faithfulness From the rising sun From the rising sun to the setting same (I will praise Your name) I will praise Your name (oh, praise Your name) Great is Your faithfulness to me, yeah, yeah (oh, oh)
Your faithfulness, it never runs out (yeah) It never runs out Oh-oh, Your faithfulness Oh, it never runs out (it never runs out) It never runs out (it never runs out)
I put my faith in Jesus My anchor to the ground My hope and firm foundation He’ll never let me down, no I put my faith in Jesus My anchor to the ground (my hope and firm foundation) He’s my hope and firm foundation (He’ll never let me down) He’ll never let me down, oh, I put (oh) I put my trust (faith) in Jesus (yes, I do) My anchor to the ground My hope and firm foundation (my hope and firm foundation) He’ll never let me down (He’ll never let me down) Never let me down…
My parents had a saying. “Just because you can doesn’t make it right.” Growing up in a world where many want it their way and will do most anything to get their way, these words began to make sense. Legal documents are written in complicated language, created by lawyers who know legalese well and are written primarily and solely for their client’s advantage. Lawyers work to remove all loopholes, making it difficult to impossible to oppose. But does that make it right for all parties involved?
Jesus clarifies and extends the thinking of the crowd gathered on the mountain on matters of the heart, mind, and soul. He begins with what the world has said to them previously. He understands what they already know and then our Master Teacher takes them higher in their thinking—to Kingdom of God thinking. He teaches people what God thinks with how to live to please God. This life for God is a matter of our hearts. The Message puts these same words in our language so we can understand more readily what Jesus was saying then and now to us.
“You have heard it said…but I say to you…” begins our journey to know God more and to realize exactly what He wants us for us. God wants us to reach higher, love greater still, so we can be more like Him in our behaviors. It begins with what is in our hearts. Blessed are those who listen and obey. God brings out His best in us in the process of learning to walk in His ways. The road is harder but the reward is much greater.
Matthew 5:21-32, The Message
Murder
21-22 “You’re familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.
23-24 “This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right.Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.
25-26 “Or say you’re out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don’t lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him. After all, if you leave the first move to him, knowing his track record, you’re likely to end up in court, maybe even jail. If that happens, you won’t get out without a stiff fine.
Adultery and Divorce
27-28 “You know the next commandment pretty well, too: ‘Don’t go to bed with another’s spouse.’ But don’t think you’ve preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed. Your heart can be corrupted by lust even quicker than your body. Those ogling looks you think nobody notices—they also corrupt.
29-30 “Let’s not pretend this is easier than it really is. If you want to live a morally pure life, here’s what you have to do: You have to blind your right eye the moment you catch it in a lustful leer. You have to choose to live one-eyed or else be dumped on a moral trash pile. And you have to chop off your right hand the moment you notice it raised threateningly. Better a bloody stump than your entire being discarded for good in the dump.
31-32 “Remember the Scripture that says, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him do it legally, giving her divorce papers and her legal rights’?Too many of you are using that as a cover for selfishness and whim, pretending to be righteous just because you are ‘legal.’ Please, no more pretending. If you divorce your wife, you’re responsible for making her an adulteress (unless she has already made herself that by sexual promiscuity). And if you marry such a divorced adulteress, you’re automatically an adulterer yourself. You can’t use legal cover to mask a moral failure.
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
God’s love and care for us dives much deeper than our sins that entangle us. It’s not about covering our sins with legal documents but it is about the condition of our hearts. Our sins, not in part but the whole, are removed completely, to be remembered no more, from a repentant, sincere heart. Selfish whims lead to moral failure. Jesus died to remove our sins. Jesus rose again, defeating death, to give us hope of life forever with Him!
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
There are no legal “loopholes” to search for in Scripture in order to obtain God’s love, mercy and grace without repentance. Confessed sins, in Jesus Name who paid the debt of our sins, is the only Way to reconcile with God and mankind. With the power of His Holy Spirit working in us; we stop looking for ways to justify our sins as we discover how that behavior only complicates our lives. Avoid the “coverup” way of life at all costs! It doesn’t look good on we who say we believe and follow Jesus.
Lord,
I confess my sins of wanting life to be better when it is me who needs to be better at hearing your Voice above all others and follow you. I confess of worry and wonderings that block my view of You and Your will for me. I confess my replays of my sin in my mind and remember that you don’t remember for you have forgiven me completely! Thank you, Jesus for reconciling us to our Father God through your work on the cross. Thank you, Holy Spirit for guiding my thoughts to higher places today. Keep me focused on you all day long and into the night. You are my hope. You are my blessed assurance.
“What color is the sky in your world,” the math teacher would say to me. As a young student I loved to daydream and wonder why things worked the way they did or why people acted the way they did in the classroom. The teacher would awaken me and call my attention back to the lesson at hand so I would know enough to pass the next test with flying colors. I wasn’t a bad student, I just liked to think about and question the things of life.
Jesus awakens his crowd of followers who have scaled a mountain to sit and hear him speak to them. By now in Jesus’ ministry, He is growing in popularity. Watching Jesus heal the sick has brought them out of curiosity; but now what He says is engaging and helpful, like nothing they have ever heard! People are hanging on every word this man of humble means has to say.
Jesus is different than the other Teachers of the Law who wear all the “right” clothes. Jesus speaks, not as the proud, judging teachers at the local Synagogue who admonish every move people “under them” make with a “new rule,” but as a Person who seems to know them, knows the questions they have had but were afraid to ask and knows their hearts! This “knowing” draws all people, even the skeptics, to this man, this new prophet of God, who speaks with simple clarity in ways they can finally understand.
“He speaks and the sound of His voice, is so sweet the birds hush their singing…”
Matthew 5:13-20, The Message
Salt and Light
13 “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Completing God’s Law
17-18 “Don’t suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures—either God’s Law or the Prophets. I’m not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama. God’s Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God’s Law will be alive and working.
19-20 “Trivialize even the smallest item in God’s Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom. Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won’t know the first thing about entering the kingdom.
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
Jesus came to be and give Light, the Light of Truth, to the dark, sinful world. Jesus calls on His followers—all who believe Him and decide and commit to follow Him, to be His Light, too. In fact, He tells us, “This is why we are here”—to reflect His Light with all the God-colors of His character! I would imagine this would include talking and walking with God so that we become more like Jesus who showed us who God is and what He will grow in our lives.
I had a friend from Texas who went to college in the city of Nacogdoches. She had a definite southern accent. When I was around her, I picked it up without thinking and would say certain words just like she said them. I would come home after time with her and my parents would say, “You’ve been with Anita, haven’t you?”
We become who we are with and talk to most often. We begin to speak like them, walk, and even think like them.
The more we spend time (commune) with God, speaking in the Name of Jesus, His Son, the more we become like Him. We reflect His Light. Our lives shine brighter and brighter as all the God-colors of His character begin to grow in us, dispelling all the dark deeds we used to think about and do.
God’s Holy Spirit helps us! Paul gives us a list in Galatians 5… “the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Paul even ends the list with, “against such there is no law”, meaning there is no rule from God that will stop us from being like Him! No one in God’s thinking will tell you, “Stop it, you’re being too kind!” There is no punishment for being too loving and generous! There is only reward for seeking first the Kingdom of God and being Kingdom of God thinkers and doers.
I confess. I am a “salt-alcoholic.” I will bypass a candy bar if you give me a bag of chips. I salt everything until I get my food to taste they way I like it, uh huh. I love that God wants us to be salty in this world, bringing out the best of all the God-flavors of His character, as well! I get it, Jesus, I really do! In fact, I want to be sensationally salty, growing with the flavor of God so others will see You in me!
“God’s Laws are alive and working!” Jesus IS the Law in summation so He has not come to destroy Himself but to flesh out The Law of God in front of all who will believe, listen to understand, with a decision to trust and obey. So, Jesus completes The Law. Jesus brings all things of God together. Jesus gave us a Helper, God’s Holy Spirit, who changes our minds and transforms our thinking.
Salt and Light—God-flavors and God-colors—illuminating and seasoning the world in need of His saving grace.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice Is so sweet the birds hush their singing; And the melody that He gave to me Within my heart is ringing.
Lord,
Cleanse my heart, transform my mind, refresh and feed my soul while restoring the joy of your salvation in me so I can be salt and light today, better than yesterday or the day before. Make me more like you every day I live on this earth. May your beauty be seen in me.
In Jesus Name, Amen
And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own, And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known…
Fill my cup, Lord I lift it up, Lord Come and quench this thirsting of my soul Bread of Heaven, feed me ’til I want no more Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole
Matthew 5:1-12, The Message
You’re Blessed
1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
When we come to the end of what we think we control, we are blessed when we realize that Only God is truly in control. He loved us before we first loved Him. He knows how our current frustrations and temporary circumstances will pan out. And He knows our hearts and fills them when we ask to be filled. This “filling” controls our appetites for wanting more than we need while blessing us with God’s character traits. This filling comes with calling for the help of God’s Spirit. This is God’s blessed assurance.
Those days when we feel those closest to us, those we thought we could depend on to love us unconditionally betray us; we feel so lost. Then when we realize there is One who never leaves or betrays us, always loves us no matter what others think we are, what we have done, or been accused of. The One and Only offers love that is relentless, unconditional, unchanging, and unshakable. God never turns His back on us, never leaves us, and is faithful to forgive us as we turn to face His Son who forgives us of all our sins—our sins, not in part but the whole, to be remembered no more! This is the blessing!
When we care and are still rejected, keep caring because the blessing comes in the obedience of showing God’s compassionate love to all people whether they receive what you have to give from God or not.
To be content is a daily work of offering ourselves to God, asking what He wants. God’s Holy Spirit then guides us to what is true, what is right for us to do at any given moment with what is necessary for us in our maturity and growth. The blessing is realized when we see the fruit bearing of His labor of love in us. (See Galatians 5 for the list of fruits of God’s character traits.)
Lean into these “blessings”, described by Max Lucado as “Sacred Delight”;
“Sacred delight is good news coming through the back door of your heart. It’s what you’d always dreamed but never expected. It’s the too-good-to-be-true coming true. It’s having God as your pinch-hitter, your lawyer, your dad, your biggest fan, and your best friend. God on your side, in your heart, out in front, and protecting your back. It’s hope where you least expected it: a flower in life’s sidewalk.
It is sacred because only God can grant it. It is a delight because it thrills. Since it is sacred, it can’t be stolen. And since it is delightful, it can’t be predicted.
It was this gladness that danced through the Red Sea. It was this joy that blew the trumpet at Jericho. It was this secret that made Mary sing. It was this surprise that put the springtime into Easter morning.
It is this sacred delight that Jesus promises in the Sermon on the Mount.
Nine times he promises it. And he promises it to an unlikely crowd:
‘The poor in spirit . . . those who mourn . . . the meek . . . those who hunger and thirst . . . the merciful . . . the pure in heart . . . the peacemakers . . . those who are persecuted . . .’.
It is to this band of pilgrims that God promises a special blessing. A heavenly joy. A sacred delight.”
Who we are, how we respond to life stuff good or bad, reflects the measure of what is in our hearts. We are blessed if Jesus is Lord of our hearts, minds, and souls.
Lord,
I pray all the readers of Your Word with me today realize all your blessings as a sacred delight from you all day long and into the night. May we wake tomorrow and the next with you on our minds first of all. This world has nothing to offer, nothing that satisfies our real longings when compared to you. And now we know why—because it is You we long for most. Where we are now is not our final home. Who we are is still a work in progress. Continue working on me.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Like the woman at the well I was seeking For things that could not satisfy And then I heard my Savior speaking “Draw from My well that never shall run dry”
Fill my cup, Lord I lift it up, Lord Come and quench this thirsting of my soul Bread of Heaven, feed me ’til I want no more Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole
There are millions in this world Who are craving The pleasures, earthly things of gold But none can match the wondrous treasure That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord
Fill my cup, Lord I lift it up, Lord Come and quench this thirsting of my soul Bread of Heaven, feed me ’til I want no more Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole Here’s my cup, fill it up and make me whole
Not long ago, I had a question asked from a ministry student who asked that I be her mentor. Her question was more a frustration and she already knew the answer but she still needed to say it out loud. “Why am I going through these spiritual battles with those I know and love along with some very challenging circumstances in my life after saying yes to the call of God?” While I’m thinking of my response, and remembering this passage right here in Matthew, telling us of the three part test of Jesus, Son of God, before He began His mission to save us from our sins, she answered her own question— “It’s a test, isn’t it?”. Why, yes, it is dear friend.
As a former teacher, we know that well designed tests are great tools of the teaching process. We assess what the student already knows so we can design our curriculum to address what they need to know. God uses tests in our own lives not to see if we will “hold up” under pressure, but to teach us how to respond to what the world will consistently present in front of us. Fortunately, as believers in Jesus, God’s Holy Spirit lives in us to guide us to all truth, to comfort us when we falter, to convict us of sins that will cause us to spiritually crash later. When we come to a place of decision between right and wrong, God’s Holy Spirit will lead us to what is right and best for us. Tests will also bring out the wisdom of God’s Word that has become a part of us while teaching us what we still need to learn.
Tests are not meant to rank us, (thank you, God!), but to help us to know more and sin less. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”, says Paul to all believers. No one escapes the tests that God allows in our lives to teach us. Tests keep us humbled before God. Tests remind us that we are all in need of a Savior. We all need the Lord to guide us to what is right. We are not perfect but perfectly forgiven with help to grow and mature in His ways.
Matthew 4, The Message
The Test
1-3 Next Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the Test.The Devil was ready to give it. Jesus prepared for the Test by fasting forty days and forty nights. That left him, of course, in a state of extreme hunger, which the Devil took advantage of in the first test: “Since you are God’s Son, speak the word that will turn these stones into loaves of bread.”
4 Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.”
5-6 For the second test the Devil took him to the Holy City. He sat him on top of the Temple and said, “Since you are God’s Son, jump.”The Devil goaded him by quoting Psalm 91: “He has placed you in the care of angels. They will catch you so that you won’t so much as stub your toe on a stone.”
7 Jesus countered with another citation from Deuteronomy: “Don’t you dare test the Lord your God.”
8-9 For the third test, the Devil took him to the peak of a huge mountain. He gestured expansively, pointing out all the earth’s kingdoms, how glorious they all were. Then he said, “They’re yours—lock, stock, and barrel. Just go down on your knees and worship me, and they’re yours.”
10 Jesus’ refusal was curt: “Beat it, Satan!” He backed his rebuke with a third quotation from Deuteronomy: “Worship the Lord your God, and only him. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.”
11 The Test was over. The Devil left. And in his place, angels! Angels came and took care of Jesus’ needs.
Teaching and Healing
12-17 When Jesus got word that John had been arrested, he returned to Galilee. He moved from his hometown, Nazareth, to the lakeside village Capernaum, nestled at the base of the Zebulun and Naphtali hills. This move completed Isaiah’s revelation:
Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, road to the sea, over Jordan, Galilee, crossroads for the nations. People sitting out their lives in the dark saw a huge light; Sitting in that dark, dark country of death, they watched the sun come up.
This Isaiah-prophesied revelation came to life in Galilee the moment Jesus started preaching. He picked up where John left off: “Change your life. God’s kingdom is here.”
18-20 Walking along the beach of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed.
21-22 A short distance down the beach they came upon another pair of brothers, James and John, Zebedee’s sons. These two were sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, mending their fishnets. Jesus made the same offer to them, and they were just as quick to follow, abandoning boat and father.
23-25 From there he went all over Galilee. He used synagogues for meeting places and taught people the truth of God. God’s kingdom was his theme—that beginning right now they were under God’s government, a good government! He also healed people of their diseases and of the bad effects of their bad lives. Word got around the entire Roman province of Syria. People brought anybody with a sickness, whether mental, emotional, or physical. Jesus healed them, one and all. More and more people came, the momentum gathering. Besides those from Galilee, crowds came from the “Ten Towns” across the lake, others up from Jerusalem and Judea, still others from across the Jordan.
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
We are tested. Jesus gives us the examples of how to respond to tests from the one who wants to destroy us or at least distract us from God.
The Test of Physical Need and Want versus the love of God. “You’re hungry, you can fix it,” says the devil. Satan knows exactly who Jesus is and will consistently battle him with full force, using all his age-old tactics of lies and deceit. I am wondering if the devil used the same lines he used on Adam and Eve? Maybe to Jesus, “Do you really think God would want you to go hungry?” which is akin to how he deceived Eve with, “Do you really think you will die if you eat this fruit? And we all know how it went down with Adam and Eve! (If not and you need a reminder, See Genesis 3). Jesus prevails his first test with “Man does not live by bread alone.” Spoken by One who is the Bread of Life!
Satan knew to attack in Jesus’ weakness but Jesus was made strong by His Father in Heaven whom Jesus relied upon with the power of God’s love in Him.
God’s Holy Spirit taught Paul a similar lesson after Paul prayed for a “thorn” in his life to be removed. Paul relates, “Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 We seem to listen more intently to God when we are weakened of our own resources.
The Doubled Tests of Pride. “Because of who you associate with, you can jump of this building and be caught in mid-air!” Sometimes, when people lift up pastors and staff as super heros of the faith, we begin to think we can scale walls and leap off tall buildings and fly like Super men and women! Satan works overtime to distract us from God by filling our minds with pride that leads us to behaving arrogantly—if we allow it. Jesus did not allow it.“Beat it, Satan!”
Philippians 2 explains how Jesus came to live among humans on earth as Son of Man and Son of God simultaneously.
“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11
Our pride and arrogance has no place in Kingdom of God thinking and behaving.
Pride worships self. Jesus clearly and emphatically tells Satan (and reminds us) worship is reserved only for God.
“Worship the Lord your God, and only him. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.”
We learn from these tests that Satan knows God and His Son well. He also knows scripture so he can use it to manipulate us by twisting the truth to his advantage. When our enemy cannot destroy us, he will consistently work to distract from all that is God.
Therefore, Know God. Know the Enemy. Know who and what we have available to help us. Know the weapons to use against the enemy:
“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6:10-18
“The Test was over. The Devil left. And in his place, angels! Angels came and took care of Jesus’ needs.”
“So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him make himself scarce. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.” James 4:7, MSG
Lord,
Cleanse my heart, renew my mind, refresh, and feed my soul while restoring the joy of your salvation powerfully at work in me. I’m yours. Fully and unreservedly yours.
1-2 While Jesus was living in the Galilean hills, John, called “the Baptizer,” was preaching in the desert country of Judea. His message was simple and austere, like his desert surroundings: “Change your life. God’s kingdom is here.”
3 John and his message were authorized by Isaiah’s prophecy:
Thunder in the desert! Prepare for God’s arrival! Make the road smooth and straight!
4-6 John dressed in a camel-hair habit tied at the waist by a leather strap. He lived on a diet of locusts and wild field honey. People poured out of Jerusalem, Judea, and the Jordanian countryside to hear and see him in action. There at the Jordan River those who came to confess their sins were baptized into a changed life.
7-10 When John realized that a lot of Pharisees and Sadducees were showing up for a baptismal experience because it was becoming the popular thing to do, he exploded: “Brood of snakes! What do you think you’re doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snakeskins is going to make any difference? It’s your life that must change, not your skin! And don’t think you can pull rank by claiming Abraham as father. Being a descendant of Abraham is neither here nor there. Descendants of Abraham are a dime a dozen. What counts is your life. Is it green and flourishing? Because if it’s deadwood, it goes on the fire.
11-12 “I’m baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. The real action comes next: The main character in this drama—compared to him I’m a mere stagehand—will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He’s going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He’ll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he’ll put out with the trash to be burned.”
* * *
13-14 Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordan River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize him. John objected, “I’m the one who needs to be baptized, not you!”
15 But Jesus insisted. “Do it. God’s work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism.” So John did it.
16-17 The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God’s Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: “This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.”
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
Jesus, who had no sins to repent, came to John to be baptized showing the world that He had come to restore a relationship with God that centuries of unrighteousness had broken. This was a “sign” that we will be reconciled to God by Jesus, His Son.
It pleased God that His Son was on track with His mission! “This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.”
The prophets told the world they lived in of the promise of the Messiah and now He has come to save them from all their sins. How will He be received? There will be mixed reactions.
Do we really believe what God says about His Son and His mission to save us really real? Our hearts with resulting behaviors will answer this question. To say we believe is not enough. John points that out to the Pharisees, Teachers of the Law, Sadducees and other religious leaders who are used to getting what they want when they want it.
John, the earthly cousin to Jesus, knew his mission well and obeyed God in preparing the way for Jesus’ mission to save the world of all sin now and for all in the succeeding centuries to come for all who believe. The baton has been passed. All is well. God is pleased with both John and Jesus.
Why? –All because of God’s love for us. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Believe, really believe and be saved forever!Rejoice and be glad for what God has done to save us!
Lord,
Thank you for saving my soul and making me whole. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that guides me. Forgive me when I think my way is better. Thank you for pulling me back on the path when I am distracted by the pull of the world. Thank you for loving me the way you do and teaching me how to love others. I believe. I yours. I love you with all my heart, mind and soul.
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 