Tag Archives: the book of Matthew

February 11
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Uncategorized Aside

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8, NLT)

A commentary on these verses in “The People’s New Testament” says this: “The terms are here used with reference to prayer, and these constitute a climax. Ask implies a simple petition. Seek indicates an earnest search. Knock shows perseverance in spite of hindrances. The three represent earnest prayer.”

Discerning sense from nonsense in the topic of prayer tries the patience of even the most stalwart of Christian disciples. Everyone seems to have an opinion on the topic; and some of these opinions appear contradictory. 

In every such instance, return to the simple words of our Christ: Ask. Seek.  Knock. 

God knows what we want before we ask, but He is delighted by the petitions of His children, in the manner of a shall child who always takes all of her joys, concerns, and hurts to her father’s ear, because, “My daddy can do anything!” – Luther

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February 10
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Uncategorized Aside

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.” (Matthew 7:21, NLT)

Do not allow inaction to invalidate your profession of faith.

Jesus says that it is not just our confession (who we say we are), but also our obedience (what we do) that we establish our lives as securely as a house that is built on bedrock.  (Please see the verses that follow: verses 23 and 24.)  Clearly, it is not only our creed (from the Latin word credo, meaning “I believe”) alone that impress our heavenly Father; it is also action that is plainly consistent with our creed.. 

How different is that from what we see today: Professions of belief without actions that validate the words?  Strive to let your deeds speak as loudly as your words. – Luther

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February 3
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“Jesus called them together and said,’You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” (Matthew 20: 25-28, NIV)

I like the saying: “Unless you’re the lead dog, the view never really changes.”

The problem is that my ambition for leadership almost always conflicts with what Jesus says His disciples’ ambitions ought to be vis-a-vis leadership.  While the common ideas of leadership usually involves the exercise of power, the acquisition of perquisites, and the maintenance of prestige; as a disciple of Jesus, I need always be on guard that I not use religious language to hide these secular objectives.

We cannot argue with the common concepts of leadership and their place in this world.  However, regarding their role in our discipleship, we must never forget Jesus’ words: “Not so with you.” – Luther

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