Matthew 17:22-23

April 19, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.’ And they were greatly distressed.” (Matthew 17:22-23)

Earlier in this chapter (17:9), immediately following his Transfiguration, Jesus mentioned his future resurrection to Peter, James, and John. Later, after descending the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus gave more complete description of his death, including his betrayal, death, and resurrection. This is the second time he told the larger group of disciples; the first was in chapter sixteen.

The disciples’ response is what sticks out to me: “And they were greatly distressed.” (23) I often wonder why they didn’t get it. Why were the disciples surprised to discover that Jesus was resurrected? Why did Thomas refuse to believe until witnessing the wounds? Afterall, they were surely aware of the Hebrew Scriptures, right? They knew Genesis 3:15 told of the collision between the woman’s seed and the seed of the serpent (Genesis 3:15), right? Surely they were aware that Psalm 22:16 and Zechariah 12:10 told of his piercing. They knew Daniel 9:26 described the anointed one, right? What about Isaiah 53? Did they forget that one?

And now, for the second time they are hearing of Jesus coming death AND resurrection (third time for Peter, James, and John). Yet, they don’t get it. My first reaction is often judgmental. If I can get it from this distance of time and geography, why can’t they get it? Then, I remember that I didn’t get it immediately, either.

I am also reminded that faith is not a math formula. So often, I expect that a well-reasoned argument should result in a profession of faith. However, the new birth (Jn 3) is spiritual and requires the work of the Spirit and a surrender of the heart. This is why Jesus emphasized praying for the Lord’s involvement in the harvest (Mt 9:38). So often, I fail to remember that spiritual battles require spiritual armor. I can’t only gear up with a good argument; I need the Holy Spirit’s help.

Father, forgive me for treating the new birth so casually and naturally. Please keep reminding me that the new birth comes from the Spirit above. Please allow me to give a Holy Spirit-anointed testimony to a lost person today. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Evangelism, Jesus Said, New Testament Tagged With:

Matthew 16:21

April 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.‭‭” (Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭21‬-‭22‬)

Peter is an example of how people can miss the big picture. Repeatedly. Here, Peter is understandably alarmed by the news of Jesus’ impending abuse and death. His protective response is understandable. Particularly since this is the first time he has heard about it from the mouth of Jesus.

However, the Old Testament had already spoken of the Messiah’s abuse and death: See, for example, the collision between the Son of woman and the seed of the serpent (Genesis 3:15), his piercing (Psalm 22:16, Zechariah 12:10), being cut off (Daniel 9:26), and bearing sins as a suffering servant (Isaiah 53).

This is a reminder that the Old Testament is the foundation for the New Testament. To unhitch from the Old Testament as if it has no bearing on or connection to the New Testament is wrong-headed. And this particular story provides an example of the value of the Old Testament. Assuming he would have responded appropriately, had Peter been more aware of what the Old Testament says about the Messiah, he would not have been rebuked here or in the Garden of Gethsemane when he pulled out his sword to protect Jesus from the soldiers.

Let’s do an unrealistic thought experiment. Imagine if Peter had succeeded and Jesus had simply grown old and died of natural causes. Where would we be today? Trapped under the guilt of sin! Jesus had to die because his sin-bearing death was the Father’s plan to redeem the world.

The somber atmosphere on Good Friday is not inappropriate, but is often misdirected. The somber atmosphere should reflect our sorrow over our sin, which is the reason for the cross. We should rejoice at God’s gracious plan of redemption and Jesus’ obedient death on the cross (Philippians 2:8) on our behalf. Hebrews 12:1-2 (emphasis added) affirms this approach: “… let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Similarly, the joy that is set before us is the knowledge that “Sunday’s coming!” and all that means for our future in eternity.

Father, help me not to let good intentions lead me into beliefs or actions that work against your plan. Please help me to see and accept the big picture of your plan. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, discipleship, God's Word, Gospels, Jesus Said, Life in Christ, Matthew, Prophecy, resurrection Tagged With:

Matthew 15:2-3

April 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.’ He answered them, ‘And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?’” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15‬:‭2‬-‭3‬)

This is an interesting interaction between Jesus and the Pharisees.
The handwashing mentioned here is not about personal hygiene; it is about ritual purity. The tradition of the elders was a set of prescribed practices that had developed over time, which the Pharisees believed to be binding on all Jews.

The topic of this discussion was ritual handwashing, which originated as a priestly requirement in Exodus 30. From there, the elders used a series of logical steps to arrive at the expectation that all good Jews would wash their hands before eating.

The idea of washing hands before eating was not evil. But as part of a package of beliefs developed logically rather than from revelation, that was weaponized against those who didn’t follow all the package’s details, was wrong. (This is not an issue isolated to Jews!)

Because this practice was part of a larger set of rules, Jesus pivoted to one of the more problematic rules to demonstrate the fault in their system. Eventually, Jesus addressed the heart of the matter, which is the heart.

“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15‬:‭19‬-‭20‬)

We may be able to follow man-made rules to give the impression that we are holy. But the real test is what comes out of our hearts.

Father, help me to be more aware of my heart affections, and to repent when they are for unrighteousness. Please help me grow in holy desires. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Gospels, Judaica, Life in Christ, Matthew Tagged With:

Matthew 14:5, 10

April 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“And though he wanted to put [John the Baptist] to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet.” (Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭5‬)

“He sent and had John beheaded in the prison,” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭10‬)

Herod the Tetrarch (aka Antipas), the son of Herod the Great, is known for two things in the New Testament. In reverse occurrence, he was the Herod involved in the trial of Jesus and the execution of John the Baptist.

Herod Antipas was angry with John because John had criticized him for taking and marrying his own half-brother’s wife. Herod was stung by the criticism. John’s courage and conviction were amazing. He lived in a place and time where publicly proclaiming one’s biblical convictions had real-world consequences. John stood on business, and it cost him his life. However, his eternal reward was what is sometimes referred to as a martyr’s crown. Biblically, this is called the crown of life.

“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬)

In the New Testament, there are two Greek words for crown, and they indicate very different crowns. First is diadem, the crown of royalty. The second word is stephanos, which refers to the victor’s crown. Think of the wreath placed on the head of the winner of an early Olympic competition. There was a distinction between the stephanos of the Olympic champion and the stephanos received by God’s faithful servants. Paul addresses this distinction in his first letter to Corinth, home of the biannual Isthmian games (a mini Olympics):

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable stephanos, but we an imperishable stephanos.” (‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭24‬-‭25‬, emphasis added)

The costly faithfulness of John the Baptist and the admonition of Paul encourage me to press on for Christ today, walking faithfully in the power of the Spirit, exercising self-control and wisdom.

Father, help me not fade away today from fear of losing social credit for being a recognizable Christian. Instead, please help me faithfully represent you today in the hope of glorifying you and being awarded an imperishable stephanos. Amen.

Filed Under: Biblical Backgrounds, Culture, devotional thoughts, discipleship, Gospels, hope, Matthew Tagged With:

Matthew 13:23

April 15, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭23‬)

Chapter 13 is packed with parables, and this is the conclusion of the parable of the sower. In summary, Jesus used an understandable farming analogy to teach his disciples some important things about discipleship and the kingdom of heaven. The elements of the story are the sower, the seed, and the four soil types: the hard path, rocky ground, thorny ground, and good soil.

He explained that the seed represents his word and the four soil types to illustrate receptivity to the word. The good soil is the focus of our verse and represents those who receive and understand God‘s word.

What stands out to me is the varied outcome. He who receives the word bears fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. When I read this, I tend to think that one hundred is better than sixty, and sixty is better than thirty. However, Jesus’ focus isn’t on quantity. His focus is on bearing lasting fruit versus no fruit or fruit that is apparent but fades away.

I need to be careful that I am not measuring myself against others who may appear to bear more fruit or less fruit than I do. I must focus on bearing fruit. Only God can truly measure the fruit. I also must be careful not to reduce my fruit to one thing. Because in our life experience, a seed can bear only one type of fruit, we tend to understand this analogy through that lens. In some circles, soulwinning is THE fruit. In other circles, discipleship is THE fruit. Still, in other circles, the measured fruit is church attendance, spiritual gifts, or something else. All of these are good fruit, but the Christian life is more holistic, and the Word is a different kind of seed. It is a supernatural seed that prepares us for godliness. Here is what Paul wrote to Timothy:

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
‭‭(2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬)

Because God’s word is broad in its content, we should not isolate our fruit inspection to one fruit. Rather, we should look more broadly at how we bear fruit in every area that God’s word addresses. As I read and meditate on God’s word, I can’t dismiss the command to evangelize the lost because my fruit/interest/gift is small group discipleship. Likewise, I can’t dismiss discipleship because my fruit/interest/gift is evangelism. I need to bear fruit related to the seed that is sown. If I spend time in God’s word, I will have a variety of seeds cast my way. The question is: Is my heart good soil?

Father, please help me to bear good fruit in all areas of my life. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, discipleship, Jesus Said, Life in Christ, Matthew, Parables Tagged With:
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