Matthew 11-15

We see in Matthew 11 the challenge of faith when life has not turned out as you thought it would. After preaching about the coming Kingdom, John the Baptist finds himself locked away in prison. His question to Jesus, “Are you the One?,” voices the doubt that every believer has experienced at a dark moment in life. Jesus’ response does not condemn John for his honesty, but encourages John in his faith by reporting the kingdom results from Jesus’ ministry. As we read later in Matthew 14, John’s commitment to preach the truth of the gospel results in his execution by Herod.

In Matthew 12, the Pharisees begin their strategy for doing away with Jesus. Very wisely, they begin to place a label on Jesus that will falsely identify him and even allow others to treat him as less than human. Recognizing that they cannot match Jesus’ miraculous works, they respond by calling him a son of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Most people would never crucify the son of God or a wonderful teacher and miracle worker, but one who is aligned with Satan can easily be nailed to a cross. Any time we define a person with a label rather than as child of God, we open the door to treating that person in a way that disrespects the Creator.

Let’s not leave Matthew 12 without a statement about the “unforgivable sin.” One thing is certain, if you are reading this blog along with your bible reading and seeking to walk closer to God then you have not committed this sin! Most scholars believe only those who deliberately reject the Holy Spirit’s urgings to salvation and thus deny the work of God through Jesus Christ are guilty of such blasphemy.

If you like parables, you will love Matthew 13. Chalked full with Jesus’ stories, this chapter gives understanding about the kingdom through the actions of farmers, merchants and fishermen.

Matthew 14 and 15 continue to reveal Jesus as a miracle worker; he’s doing what only God is suppose to be able to do. One hiccup along the way is when Jesus calls a woman a dog. Now I’ve been around barking women, mostly those dressed in red and black, so I can understand Jesus’ disgust. In this case, however, Jesus uses this teaching moment to broaden the work of the kingdom beyond the house of Israel. As Jesus elevates this woman from a dog to a child of God, my mind imagines Jesus celebrating with a cry of “War Eagle!”

Matthew 6 - 10

Our reading for this week picks up in the middle of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. We were introduced to the beatitudes last week and now we move into the challenges of living life with a new kingdom of God perspective. In Matthew 6, the Jesus prayer provides us words to recite often if not daily as we live this new life. If you have not committed to memory Matthew 6:9-13, now might be a good time. One way to do so is to voice this prayer daily for a month.

Matthew 7 concludes Jesus’ sermon by introducing the “golden rule” as well as other principles for life that “astonished” those who sat on the hillside listening to these words. In Matthew 8 & 9, Jesus encounters a variety of people and situations. His sermon in the earlier chapters is backed up by actions such as healing a leper, calming a storm and casting out demons.

Our last chapter for this week, Matthew 10, reveals Jesus plan for the Kingdom movement. Jesus is not about a one-man show. He intends to call and equip others to multiply his efforts. Read carefully Jesus’ instructions for his first disciples. These are not just words for 1st century Christ followers. The same calling and plans are voiced to us today.