Category Archives: Matthew

If I Sold Everything I Still Couldn’t Afford Him

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Matthew 13:45, 46
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
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I’ve been told Jesus is the “pearl of great price” in this parable but that cannot be because Christ cannot be “bought” even if we, the merchant, sold everything we had. Instead, Jesus is the merchant in this story.

In the previous parable, God the Father finds the Jewish people, his treasure, then hides them in the field (the world) just as the Jews are today scattered across the world “hidden” among the nations. He then pays the price to buy back the entire field (makes salvation available to all the world) so that one day He can come back to call together and claim his treasure – “all Israel” from among the nations.

The pearl however, represents Christ and the church. He is the merchant who finds his pearl, the church, and gives His all to purchase her. Diamonds are nearly valueless until cut but a pearl, like the church, is only of value when it is whole, complete, without division or breaks. A pearl is the only jewel formed through the suffering of a living organism, just like the church came into being through the agony of Christ. A pearl finds its source in what the Jews call unclean, an oyster, much as the church is primarily comprised of unclean Gentiles. Interestingly, though a pearl has an “unclean” source, it can legally be worn as adornment by a Jew. So, the church, taken out of the unclean world, is an adornment that beautifies Christ by displaying His grace, mercy and kindness.

Are you part of this pearl of great price?
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1 Timothy 1:16
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

He’s A Terrible God

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Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
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We hear many explanations for the various problems in the church today but I believe most can be traced back to ignoring this command by Jesus – “Fear God”. We love to “consider the kindness” of God but dismiss the “sternness of God”, a sternness that resulted in Him “cutting off” His own people. (Romans 11:22)

The Bible speaks of the fear of the Lord as a very positive thing. We are told the fear of God causes a man to shun evil and choose to do right. It will deliver a man from the snares of death. It adds length to life and without it you haven’t even taken the first step toward wisdom or knowledge. Take a moment to look up “fear of the Lord” in a concordance and you will likely be amazed at all the benefits promised to those who fear God.

We have redefined “fear” as merely reverence but Scripture is clearly talking about fear, as in terror. Ask Pharaoh, ask a Philistine, ask Ananias of Acts 5, if there is reason to be afraid of God. I understand the logic behind painting God as only a one dimensional God of love but it is not Biblical logic. Jesus clearly says, “fear God”. But is it possible to fear someone and love them intensely at the same time? Certainly! in fact, the Bible (OT and NT) commands us to love God AND to fear Him. (1 Pt 2:17)

This is beautifully illustrated in the first book in The Chronicles of Narnia where the beavers are talking about Aslan being a lion and the children, afraid of meeting a lion, ask if he is safe. “Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.” Later Lewis writes, some people “think that a thing cannot be good and terrible at the same time.” God IS good. God IS kind. God IS merciful. God IS love. But He is also a terrible God and not one to be trifled with.
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Deuteronomy 10:17
For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, the terrible God, Who is not partial and takes no bribe.

Romans 11:20-22
… Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.  Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.

Lost Shepherds

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Matthew 9:36
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
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What an amazing statement. They were in Israel, near Jerusalem, a city and country filled with religious leaders; people who studied, taught, debated, memorized and revered God’s law but there were no shepherds for God’s people.  Surrounded by folks who claimed to love God, Jesus could find no one guarding or caring for God’s most precious treasure, His people.

As one God has allowed to serve as a “religious leader” this challenges me to be more – more than just a teacher of God’s Word, more than just one who studies, believes and even memorizes God’s Word, even more than one who loves God and His Word. This challenges me to be certain I am also loving God’s people; shepherding them, guarding, guiding, protecting, feeding, tending to and caring for the flock of God.

In a world filled with scribes who carefully reproduced God’s Laws, teachers of that Law, religious leaders and an entire nation that prided itself on being God’s chosen race, Jesus had compassion, pitied “harassed and helpless” people because no one cared for their souls. When God looks at the people He has brought into my life I don’t want Him to pity them because they are wandering without a shepherd, no one who cares about them.

Lord, in this life I’ll never fully understand the Scriptures and be able to teach and minister as You taught and ministered. But you never commanded me to KNOW as You know. You did however, command me to LOVE as You love. Divine Shepherd, use me as a channel of Your love for Your sheep; the ones in the fold and the lost ones still wandering.
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1 Corinthians 13:2
If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.

Pearl of the Orient

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It’s a cool, crisp morning in Beijing.  I’m sipping warm milk tea at a street cafe watching a sleepy parade of mostly college students since Jana and I are staying in one of the university districts.  I woke up thinking about a 22 year old girl we met yesterday.  She is nearly finished with her Masters Degree in Accounting.  She doesn’t like  accounting, would like to be a teacher to help the poor, but agreed to this path to please her parents who chided her, “You need to stop thinking so much of others and think more about yourself.”

As we talked “Jewel” told us how she became a Christian only three months ago when the CTEN missionary we are visiting shared the gospel with her.  “I would not be a Christian if not for (our CTEN missionary)”.  Her father is a member of the Communist party and an atheist.  She is afraid to tell her parents about her faith but in her three short months with the Lord she has read the entire New Testament and the first five books of the Old Testament. All of that amidst a rigorous college schedule and attending church two days a week in this busy city.  Her parents are happy when she tells them she is going to “meet with friends” but would likely not be so happy if they knew what kind of friends she was making.

As Jana and I talked to her, I couldn’t help but notice the sparkle in her eyes and think of what a treasure of grace this young woman is – a genuine pearl of great price that the merchant gave His all to purchase.
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Matthew 13:45-46 (NIV)
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The first of his miraculous signs …

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The Almighty God who flung the stars and planets into their orbits, who scooped out the oceans with His hand and before whom all creation bows, manifests Himself in the flesh and for His first great act He turns water into wine. Sounds pretty trivial even if you are a wine lover.

In the home of an unnamed host, at the wedding of an anonymous couple, in an obscure village and though His hour had not yet come He turns water into wine? Even then, except for a few unspecified disciples and some common household servants, none of the VIPs at the party were even aware they were drinking wonder wine. What an inconspicuous way to launch a world changing ministry. Perhaps there is something I need to learn from this.

In all the talk we hear today of being a “world changer” and doing great things for God we see that the One who truly did change the world started with a trivial need at hand. With no fanfare, no cosmic applause or even a “thank you” from those served, He acted to alleviate a simple need. I find it easy to become so focused upon saving humanity that I forget about the individuals I encounter along the way. While dreaming of doing great things for God it’s easy to miss the tiny things I can do to represent Him right now. Give a cup of cool water, change diapers in the church nursery, hold a door open for a mom with three little ones in tow, let a car into my lane or let someone else go first – all trivial things but a place to start.

Sample Prayer: Lord, help me not be so in love with the masses that I overlook the one You put in my path today. Remind me that the tiniest act of kindness done in your holy name is not wasted nor will be forgotten.
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Matthew 10:42
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.

 

God WILL Give Us More Than We Can Handle

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1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
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Based on this passage I’ve heard people say “God won’t give us more than we can handle”. I’ve heard it applied to struggles in relationships, finances, health, most any area of life that can be overwhelming. Not only does this verse NOT promise that “God won’t give us more than we can handle”, it actually says the opposite.

Paul, the apostle who wrote this, was given more than he could handle. In 2 Corinthians 1:8 he says that while ministering in Asia “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure …” so God will allow more to come into our lives than we can handle. Why? Paul explains that in the next passage.
“This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”. God will regularly “give us more than we can handle” so we can learn to trust Him and not our own strength.

But this passage does not even say God will limit the power of temptation in our lives to something we can handle. It does say that when an overwhelming temptation comes He will provide a way of escape. The way we “bear” up under the temptation is by taking the way of escape.

The conclusion: Though God may not send the overwhelming trials nor the temptations into our lives (James 1:13) He WILL definitely allow us to experience more than we can handle so we learn to flee temptation and learn to trust Him in times of stress.
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Matthew 26:41
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Was Paul Married or Opposed to Marriage?

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1 Corinthians 7:7
I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
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It appears Paul is opposed to marriage. Actually he was combating a common thought of his day (and ours) that being single is a second class status. He is saying that each person needs to live according to the “gift” they have received. Marriage is honorable (Hebrews 13:4) but singles have more liberty to give themselves fully to the Lord. “So then, he who marries … does right, but he who does not marry … does even better.” (1 Corinthians 7:38)

A bit of trivia today, there is reason to believe the apostle Paul was married but a widower when he wrote this. First of all, it fits well into the context here as he specifically addresses widows suggesting they “stay unmarried, as I am” (7:8). Secondly, there are indications Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, because in Acts 26:10 he says he cast his vote for the death of the believers. If he is not speaking figuratively and he was a member of the Sanhedrin, he was married as that was a requirement for membership.

Also, in 1 Corinthians 9:5 he mentions that he and Barnabas should have the “right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles”. Of course, he could just be speaking in defense of Barnabas.

Finally, in his book, “Ecclesiastical History”, written around the year 300AD, Eusebius claims Paul was married based on Philippians 4 where Paul mentions, but does not name, a “yokemate”. The Greek word, “syzygos”, can refer to a person with whom one shares a common burden or to a spouse.

All are rather wispy evidence but there is at least a possibility that Paul was married and his wife died leaving him free to remarry. But he decided in his case and calling it was better for him to stay single.
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Matthew 19:10-12
The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.” Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. … The one who can accept this should accept it.”

1 Timothy 4:2-4
Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, …

Jesus and Paul disagree?

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1 Corinthians 5:3
For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this.
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It seems one Scripture many people know and enjoy quoting is Jesus saying “judge not that you be not judged”. This is a handy one to bring up when confronted with sin in our lives. So is Paul disobeying this command of Jesus when he says “I have already passed judgment” on this man?

Most who quote Matthew 7:1, “judge not”, aren’t aware that 14 verses later Jesus says, “Watch out for false prophets”. How can I do that if I do not make some judgment about who is speaking truth and who is speaking lies? Clearly Jesus was not saying close your eyes to all evil, all false teaching, swallow whatever comes your way with no discernment. So what was He referring to?

In short, there are things I can know and things I cannot know. I can know a man who is openly engaged in immorality is living in sin because God’s Word tells me such behavior is sin. I can know a man teaching things contrary to Scripture is a false prophet. What I cannot know, and therefore am not to judge, are the motives of his heart.

To point out evil and call it evil is not judging. In fact, it is following the example of Jesus, Paul, Peter and others. In fact, it is following what we are often commanded to do in Scripture – “overcome evil with good”. It is “good” to warn someone of something in their life that will destroy them. It would be unloving and evil to see symptoms of a deadly disease in someone’s life and not warn them. The disease would only kill the body. How much more unloving to not warn them of a disease that will destroy their soul?
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Just a few of many passages that command us to judge actions: Matthew 18:15-17; Romans 16:17,18; 1 Corinthians 5:11; Galatians 6:1; Titus 3:10,11; Leviticus 19:17

I Did It My Way!

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1 Corinthians 4:7
For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
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Ever hear anyone claim they are a “self made man”, that no one helped them get where they are today, that they accomplished their success all on their own? What a silly, self centered idea. Their mother, even if she was a horrid one who abandoned them at birth, certainly could tell you she put some hard work, some “labor”, into their existence. After that someone fed them, changed their dirty diapers, tried to educate them. All along the way there have been those who have made their success possible.

And then there is God who gave them life, breath, a functioning body and brain. Without His gifts, which we so casually take for granted, this “self made man” would not, could not even exist.

This passage reminds us that though we certainly had to use what was given to us, the fact that we have anything is a gift from God. The fact that we could work, could think, could eat, could breathe, even that we were formed in our mother’s womb in the first place and were given life, it is all a gift from God and if our abilities and talents are a gift, then what room do we have to boast about what we were given?

What a great passage to kindle humility in each of us but also to develop a heart of gratitude.

Thank you Lord for allowing me to see the light of day, for giving me the health and life I have. We all have struggles and things aren’t always the way we would like them to be but we do have the presence of mind to at least think about it. Some have not even been given that gift to be able to recognize who or what or where they are. We have much to be grateful for. Let’s make this a day of gratitude … and humility.
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Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

The Bible Promotes Slavery

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Ephesians 6:5
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
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There are more people trapped in slavery today than during the height of the Afro-American slave trade industry.  Slavery is definitely not a thing of the past.  Pro-slavery forces used to point to the Bible to justify this horrific practice but does the Bible promote Slavery?

This passage in Ephesians might appear to endorse slavery, but it is simply acknowledging the fact that throughout history, today included, there will be people caught in this evil. This passage addresses that person telling them how to conduct themselves. There is a vast difference between acknowledging something exists and helping someone do right when in the situation and endorsing the situation. The Bible just recognizes that man’s heart is filled with sin and slavery will be a result of his selfishness and cruelty. The Bible also tells Christians how to respond when persecuted or attacked but no one would say it is endorsing persecution of Christians.

Furthermore, the type of slavery practiced in early America where Africans were kidnapped and sold as slaves to slave traders was clearly forbidden and punished by death. “Anyone who kidnaps another and either sells him or still has him when he is caught must be put to death.” (Exodus 21:16)  In 1 Timothy 1:9-10 the New Testament also condemns those who would traffic in the lives of human beings comparing them to adulterers and perverts. Clearly the Bible does, and always has, even before society at large did, condemn the evil of slavery.
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Hebrews 3:10
Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
Matthew 22:29
Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.