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 10:14-15

April 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.” (Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭14‬-‭15‬)

Here, Jesus is sending his disciples out to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (6), proclaiming “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (7). Today’s verses are a) Jesus’ instructions for how to symbolically reject anyone who is not receptive to the disciples or their message, and b) the judgment that awaits those who reject the disciples and their message.

First, the disciples are to shake the dust from their feet as they leave the rejecting home. Luke (9:5) adds that this is a testimony against them. Paul and Barnabas repeated this practice in Pisidian Antioch (13:51). It seems this practice is a means of visibly saying, “I have done what I can. I bear no responsibility for you.”

Second, the judgment that awaits those who reject is ominous. Jesus clearly indicates that a) there will be a day of judgment, and b) that real judgment will be applied to those who reject the disciples’ message.

Unfortunately, there is a growing effort, even among evangelicals, in our day to minimize or reduce the severity of this judgment. Jesus’ warning is not hyperbolic or exaggerated. Even though Mark and Luke do not include the warning of Sodom and Gomorrah in their retelling of Jesus’ commissioning of the disciples, Peter references the destruction of the twin cities in his epistle: “if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;” (‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬). So did Jude: “just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.” (‭‭Jude‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬)

Today’s verses should give me pause. I need to reconsider how I think about the lost. Do I share the concern of Jesus, Peter, and Jude? Or, do I dismiss the judgment to come as hyperbole or as “their problem, not mine”?

Father, help me to share Jesus’ heart for the lost. Help me to be more burdened for those who are walking (even running!) toward judgment. Please forgive me for my apathy. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Evangelism, Gospels, heart matters, Jesus Said, Matthew, New Testament Tagged With:

Matthew 9:36-38

April 11, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’” (Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭36‬-‭38‬)

Here, we see the heart of Jesus followed by his worldview. First, his heart: “He had compassion for them.” Notice that Jesus didn’t notice that the people were “like sheep without a shepherd,” then walked away saying, “Those poor people, I pity them.” Never in Scripture do we see the phrase “Jesus/He had compassion on them” followed by indifference. As is demonstrated here, Jesus always engaged with the situation.

In this case, Jesus relies on his worldview to engage the people. His worldview is that his father (Lord of the harvest) is involved in the earth. These people, for whom he had compassion, were like sheep without a shepherd. They wandered without guidance. Jesus said we ought to pray for God’s involvement, asking him to send shepherds for these people.

Jesus used an agricultural analogy to describe the crowds of people flocking to him as he proclaimed the gospel of the kingdom (9:35). He likened these people to fields ready to be harvested. They needed laborers who would come “harvest” them.

In such situations, we tend to think of sending someone (an individual) to meet the need. Thus, churches may get excited about a missionary going to X country. But Jesus’ desire was for God to start a movement by sending a multitude of laborers into the fields where the harvest was plentiful, but the laborers were few. And such a movement requires the Father’s involvement. In tandem with lifting a finger toward the harvest myself, have I cried to the Father to send laborers into the fields?

Father, forgive me for not having compassion on the multitudes who are like sheep without a shepherd. Forgive me for being satisfied that a laborer here, or there, is going into the field as if the need is small. Forgive me for not begging you to send laborers, as if we can get this done without you. Please send laborers into the fields. And, help me, at the same time, to do my part in the harvest. Amen.

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

Matthew 3:7-9

April 5, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.” (Matthew‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬-‭9‬)

John the Baptist was not “seeker-friendly.” His words are relevanttoday: “And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.’”

John is warning the Pharisees and Sadducees not to depend on their family tree for righteousness. While it is a mercy of God to be raised in a believing family, we must bring our own fruits of repentance. Too many times, I have heard a person mention their grandma’s or parents’ faith when asked about their faith. This is akin to the Pharisees or Sadducees saying, “We are children of Abraham.” We can not stand before the Lord with a basket of someone else’s faith; only ours.

Father, please help me to build my own faith and not depend on the faith of others. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Evangelism, Faith, Gospels, John the Baptist, New Testament Tagged With:

John 20:30-31

April 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John‬ ‭20‬:‭30‬-‭31‬)

Here, John provides the purpose statement for his book: “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (31). John clearly thought his selection of signs was sufficient for the reader to believe and have life. That’s a powerful statement, particularly considering that in this same chapter he preserves Thomas’s words: “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe” John‬ ‭20‬:‭25‬).

John is not dismissing such demands. Rather, he is emphasizing Jesus’s response to Thomas’s post-inspection belief: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John‬ ‭20‬:‭29‬). This emphasis on believing based on testimony rather than physical experience will be essential once Jesus ascends. In fact, even before Jesus ascended, the number of people who could be in Jesus’s presence was limited. Most had to depend on a testimony.

According to Jesus, we have sufficient reason to believe even if we have not personally seen and touched his wounds.

Father, thank you for preserving John’s collection of signs. And, for sending someone to me to testify. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Evangelism, Gospels, Jesus Said, John, New Testament, testimonies
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