Tag Archives: the book of Matthew

February 3
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“Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him.  ‘By what authority are you doing these things?’ they asked.  ‘And who gave you this authority?’”  (Matthew 21:23, NIV)

There are some things that God requires that confounds the watching world: Love for one’s enemies; forgiveness of those who have harmed us; rejoicing in trial; and hopefulness in adversity.

As a disciple of Jesus, be prepared to answer those who ask: “By what authority. . .?”, because the ways of God are sometimes foreign even to those who inhabit the “temple courts” as the chief priests and elders of the people did in Jesus’ day.  Our “authority” is our heavenly Father.  It is His spirit within us.  It is His word informing our decisions.  We aspire to be like Him.

As many of us were taught years ago by our parents: Resist “peer pressure”; and obey the teaching of the One who created us, and loves us — no matter what, and no matter who.   – Luther

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February 1
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“As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him.  Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’  The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’  Jesus stopped and called them. ‘What do you want me to do for you?’  he asked.  ‘Lord,’ they answered, ‘we want our sight.’  Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.”  (Matthew 20:29-34, NIV)

The response of the two blind men to the miraculous gift they had received from Jesus was obedience.  They “followed him.”

One cannot follow unless (or until) he/she is willing to obey.  God, by His grace, showers us with innumerable blessings.

When we receive any of the blessings of Christ, do we follow in His steps?  When God is generous to us, do we follow Him into generosity?  When God forgives us our trespasses, do we follow his example by forgiving those who have trespassed against us?

To their great credit, the two healed men responded to God’s blessings by following the One that had shown them mercy.  What is our response to God for His mercy?  – Luther

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January 31
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“Jesus replied, ‘You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.'” (Matthew 22:29, NIV)

Ouch!

What a stinging rebuke it was to the people to whom Jesus spoke these words: People whose business it was to know both the Scriptures and the power of God.

As followers of Jesus, we are also expected to know both the word of God, and the power of God.  Our Lord expects it of us.  The watching world expects it of us; and we ought to expect it of ourselves.

The former we acquire through diligent study; and the latter we acquire through faithful obedience. This is our safeguard against error.  – Luther

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