Matthew 11:21

April 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭21-22‬)

This verse is rich. I see a few things here. First, Jesus is addressing Chorazin and Bethsaida, two points of the “evangelical triangle.” (The third point is Capernaum, which is addressed in the next verse.) These cities are labeled such because the bulk of Jesus’ and the disciples’ work was done among them. Jesus’ Galilean HQ was Capernaum. Bethsaida was the hometown of Peter, Andrew, and Phillip. That Chorazine and Bethsaida are being called out like this indicates a significant lack of response. In other words, not everyone will believe. And in certain cases, a lot of Gospel presence still does not change the hardness of heart.

Second, we can see a principle mentioned in Luke 12:48, “To whom much is given, much will be required.” I see this in the comparison of the judgment for Chorazine and Bethsaida versus Tyre and Sidon. Tyre and Sidon were known for their pride (Ezekiel 28), Ba’al worship, and minimal gospel presence. Yet, Jesus says they would have repented had they had the gospel presence that Chorazin and Bethsaida had. While all sinners stand guilty before a holy God, it appears there will be varying levels or degrees of punishment.

Father, forgive me for so much indifference to what you have blessed me with. You have given me free access to your word and good Bible teachers. Yet, at times – far too often! – I have an indifferent spirit about walking in the Spirit or helping others know Christ. Please revive my heart. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, discipleship, good enough, Gospels, Jesus Said, Matthew, New Testament Tagged With:

Matthew 8:11

April 10, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,” (Matthew‬ ‭8‬:‭11‬)

Jesus spoke these words to a gentile who had demonstrated faith toward him. And he wasn’t a random gentile, he was a Roman Centurion. Jesus seems to be telling this gentile and any onlookers that one day there will be unity between Jew and Gentile. This is a really big deal both then and now. So big that one must wonder, “How could that be?” Since Jesus was expanding on his compliment to the centurian’s faith, we can conclude that faith will be the catalyst for this unity.

Paul provides us with an explanation in his letter to the Ephesians:

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off (Gentiles) have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both (Jew and Gentile) one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man (Jew and Gentle together) in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both (Jew and Gentile) to God in one body (the church) through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.” (Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬-‭16‬, emphasis and explanation added)

“This mystery (of the church) is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. ‭‭(Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬, emphasis and explanation added)

In those verses, Paul explains that God has created a mysterious body in which Jews and Gentiles are both equal members and unified. He also explains that entry to this body is in Christ Jesus through the gospel. We call this the church, the earthly body of Christ.

One must ask if we see such a display of equality and unity in churches today. My observation, based on decades of experience in local congregations in Jewish majority and Gentile majority contexts, is that we are not there yet. Not hardly. Is there an isolated example of equality and unity in a particular local congregation? Sure. But that is almost as rare as spotting a unicorn.

I can not solve that problem here. But I can remind myself that Jesus and Paul both spoke of a day when both would recline together, and not begrudgingly. I want to see that day. I know the answer is Christ, but how do I help Jews see the beauty of Christ despite the history of hardship heaped on the Jews in the name of Jesus? How do I help Gentiles see the welcoming and reconciling heart of Jesus, when they have become convinced that the Jews (or “fake Jews” as many call them) are the primary problem in the world?

Father, we are in a pickle, and seemingly farther than ever from the amazing picture that Jesus and Paul painted. Help me to long for your ideal. Then, help me labor tirelessly to that end. Amen.

Filed Under: cross-cultural, devotional thoughts, discipleship, Ephesians, Jesus Said, Matthew, New Testament Tagged With:

Matthew 7:24-27

April 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭24‬-‭27‬)

These verses may evoke childhood memories for some. In your memory you may hear children’s voices singing, “The wise man built his house upon the rock.” And you may see in your mind’s eye, kids motioning the rains coming down and the floods coming up with their hands. But these words are more than a Sunday school song for kids. Adults need to heed them, too. (See this video if none of this is familiar.)

Jesus closed his Sermon on the Mount with this warning to be prepared for the hardships of life (the rains) that will surely come. The positioning of this warning should help us see its value.

Here, Jesus is imploring his audience to build their lives on him (He is the rock). And how would one do that? The quick answer is to embrace the teachings that preceded this closing. The payoff is great. Who wouldn’t want their life and faith to hold up through the storms of life? I don’t think anyone would desire that their own lives fall apart. But a core element in this sermon is discerning the heart. So, while no one would desire that their own life fall apart, their hearts might have a greater desire for something that will inevitably destroy their lives. In other words, they will build their house on sand. Building on the sand is choosing to follow any other voice than Jesus.

We have to be careful here. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭21‬) The choice isn’t a religious voice versus a non-religious voice. It is Jesus versus every other voice.

This challenge of discernment is for believer and unbeliever alike. Christians can foolishly choose paths that lead to destruction. There are a lot of voices beckoning us down their particular path. WARNING: Not all paths lead to good places. Jesus’ sermon (Matthew 5-7) provides us tremendous guidance on how to build our house on the rock.

Father, I need wisdom and purity of heart. Please help me grow in both so that I may desire Jesus more than anything else in this world. Amen.

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

Matthew 6:1

April 8, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬)

The key words here are “in order to.” These words address motive. In this case, the motive is to be seen by men. Those who practice righteousness before men, in order to” be recognized by those people will not be rewarded by the Father. Wow!

This is not a warning to forgo righteousness before people. It is a warning about motives. I don’t know if the challenge is greater today than it was then. But in our age of social media and instant gratification, this is a tough challenge.

The desire to be recognized for our good deeds and clean living is strong. One YouTube genre I really enjoy features people surprising someone who’s fallen on hard times with a kind and generous gesture. While those videos often cause me to tear up, I’m conflicted because the person is filming themselves performing the kindness, then uploading the video for people to see.

If asked, I’m sure the person would say they post the video to encourage others to follow their example of kindness, not to get the applause of men. I know that I want my kids to see my faith in action as a way of passing it on to them. But do I want them to see how faith works in the real world more than I want them to think I’m a good Christian? At times, I’m afraid I want their recognition more than anything. That’s tough to discern.

Ultimately, we should express our faith before men, not for their applause but for the approval of our Father in heaven.

Father, please help me to shape my heart so that when I live a godly life in front of others, I do that for your glory, not mine. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, discipleship, Gospels, heart matters, Hope this Helps, humility, Jesus Said, Matthew, New Testament Tagged With:

Matthew 5:10-11

April 7, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬-‭11‬)

This is another Bible passage that doesn’t feel right. Who wants to be persecuted? Who wants to be reviled and have all kinds of evil uttered against them? Who would sign up for those things?

Yet, Jesus said those who experience those things because of their faithfulness to him are blessed. Interestingly, the Chicago Bulls recently released a recently acquired first-round draft pick because he was critical of the NBA’s promotion of Pride Month. Jaden Ivey’s complaint? He says the league is promoting unrighteousness. And he is correct!

Since his release, he has remained firm that all the fame and money are nothing compared to Christ. As one might imagine, the pressure against him has grown. Yet, he remains steadfast in his position. He is a contemporary example of what Jesus is talking about.

Father, please help me to be so satisfied with you that the affirmation of this world is meaningless in comparison. Amen.

Filed Under: courage, devotional thoughts, discipleship, Faith, fear, Gospels, Jesus Said, Life in Christ, Matthew, New Testament Tagged With:
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