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 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:

Matthew 12:41-42

April 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.” (Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭41‬-‭42‬)

A few verses before these, Jesus called his audience “an evil and adulterous generation.” What pushed Jesus to use such strong language? The people’s refusal to believe in him, both out of indifference and rebellion.

Signalling their guilt for refusing him, Jesus mentions two Old Testament stories. He said Ninevites, who repented at the preaching of Jonah, and the Queen of the South, who sought out the wisdom of Solomon, would condemn his contemporaries during the day of judgment.

His point in using these illustrations was to contrast the positive gentile responses to God’s lesser servants with his audience’s refusal to believe in him. Think about the contrast: The Ninevites repented as a result of the preaching of Jonah, a reluctant, even rebellious, prophet. The Queen of Sheba travelled a long distance (scholars suggest she was from Ethiopia or Yemen) to hear the wisdom of Solomon, the wisest man who became a great fool. Yet Jesus, the promised Messiah and God in the flesh, doing miracles in their presence, was rejected.

I imagine the day of judgment will be powerful when people are reminded of their hardness of heart that caused them to dismiss one greater than Jonah and Solomon. This causes me to think about my own generation’s hardness of heart. In our day, we have God’s complete revelation in the Bible and mountains of corroborating evidence, yet the majority of our generation is indifferent, at best. What will judgment day look like for this generation?

My heavens, how often am I indifferent? While I don’t believe Christians will be judged in the same way as unbelievers, simply recognizing similarities between them and me should motivate me to be more faithful and responsive to God’s word.

Father, please forgive me for my own indifference. Please use Jesus’ words to motivate me toward greater responsiveness toward you. Amen.

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

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 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:
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