Apicontent

“Then Pharisees and experts in the law came from Jerusalem to Jesus and said, ‘Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat.’ He answered them, ‘And why do you disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition? For God said, “Honor your father and mother” and “Whoever insults his father or mother must be put to death.” But you say, “If someone tells his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you would have received from me is given to God,’” he does not need to honor his father. You have nullified the word of God on account of your tradition. Hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you when he said, “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me, and they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’’” —Matthew 15:1–9

Here we see Jesus reprimanding the Pharisees and teachers of the law for basing their religion on tradition and human rules rather than a relationship with and a love for God. The religious leaders insisted on obedience to their own laws, emphasizing religious rites and ceremonies.

The Pharisees were filled with pride in their positions. The religion of the Pharisees was one of right behavior, but in all reality, it was hypocritical. Their hearts were far from God. Consequently, their worship was futile and fruitless. And today, the Pharisees are still alive and well. Those who are most zealous for their own rules are often careless with God’s desires. When human inventions are tacked on to God’s law and imposed accordingly, it makes for a lifeless religion … and it gets you nowhere fast! These religious leaders failed to understand that God was aware of their motives. They honored God with all the right words and actions while their hearts remained far from Him. We might fool others—perhaps even ourselves—but we will never fool God. He knows our motives and judges the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts.

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day the Israelites described by Jeremiah:

“The LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel says to the people of Judah: ‘You might as well go ahead and add the meat of your burnt offerings to that of the other sacrifices and eat it, too! Consider this: When I spoke to your ancestors after I brought them out of Egypt, I did not merely give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices. I also explicitly commanded them: “Obey me. If you do, I will be your God and you will be my people. Live exactly the way I tell you and things will go well with you.” But they did not listen to me or pay any attention to me. They followed the stubborn inclinations of their own wicked hearts. They acted worse and worse instead of better. From the time your ancestors departed the land of Egypt until now, I sent my servants the prophets to you again and again, day after day. But your ancestors did not listen to me nor pay attention to me. They became obstinate and were more wicked than even their own forefathers.’” —Jeremiah 7:21–26

The worship of these religious leaders ended in vanity. It did not attain the end for which it was appointed nor did it please God. God desires that we worship Him in spirit and in trutht.

Become More

“But Jesus said to them, ‘You are the ones who justify yourselves in men’s eyes, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly prized among men is utterly detestable in God’s sight.’” —Luke 16:15

“He has told you, O man, what is good, and what the Lord really wants from you: He wants you tocarry out justice, to love faithfulness, and to live obediently beforeyour God.” —Micah 6:8

Further Reflection

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” —Psalm 51:10, ESV

“All a person’s ways seem right in his own opinion, but the Lord evaluateshis thoughts.—Proverbs 21:2

“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dispersed the crowds. And after he sent the crowds away, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already far from land, was taking a beating from the waves because the wind was against it. As the night was ending, Jesus came to them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the water they were terrified and said, ‘It’s a ghost!’ and cried out with fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them: ‘Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.’ Peter said to him, ‘Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the water.’ So he said, ‘Come.’ Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind he became afraid. And starting to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they went up into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’” —Matthew 14:22–33

Jesus first sends His disciples ahead of Him by boat to the other side of the sea and then dismisses the crowd. He retreats up the mountainside to be with His father—communing in private prayer—and there He stays until early morning. Even when the tempest begins to blow, Jesus remains steady, focused in prayer. He continues to set the example for us according to His own teaching:

“But whenever you pray, go into your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.” —Matthew 6:6

While Jesus is praying, the disciples find themselves paddling in a terrific storm in the middle of the raging sea. It is important to remember that they were exactly where Jesus had sent them; they had been obedient to His direction.

Just because we are in the middle of a great turmoil does not for one second mean that we are not in the center of God’s will. Indeed, the disciples seemed always to be going from one difficult situation to another, and yet they were ever in the center of God’s perfect and pleasing will.

Knowing their desperate situation, Jesus sets out in mercy, walking on the water to rescue them. Terrified that He was a ghost, they cry out in fear. I guess so! Here they are in the middle of a raging sea with pre-dawn darkness and all of a sudden, they see someone in the distance walking on water. Can you imagine? He takes control: “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” He makes himself known—and therein is their sufficiency. His presence is enough to put them at ease, encouraging them against their fright. With His words it is as if He tells them, just as He tells each one of us, “Don’t be afraid of the tempests and the waves of your circumstances. Do not fear them, I am with you.” Nothing is a terror to those whom Christ is with.

In the midst of this, we find Peter willing to walk on the water to meet the Lord Jesus. Peter asks permission and it’s granted by the One who created and can calm the sea. Peter gets out of the boat! But his faith falters. And yet, Jesus is there at the precise moment when Peter most needs Him. Peter is upheld by Christ’s power. Isn’t that exactly what Jesus offers to each one of us as well? There is no danger in sinking when we are held by His everlasting arms of strength.

Is our focus on the wind and turbulence of our circumstances or on the wisdom and truth and strength of Jesus? To answer that, perhaps we need to assess our present situation: Are we walking on water amidst our trials, or are we overcome by the waves? When we stay focused on Jesus, maintaining a reliance upon Him, we need not be concerned about the how and where of our circumstances. We need only to fix our gaze upon Him.

Become More

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up.” —Hebrews 12:1–3

Further Reflections

“Jesus promised His disciples three things: that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy, and in constant trouble.” —F.R. Maltby

“Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you: everything passes away except God; God alone is sufficient.” —St. Theresa

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage.” —John 14:27

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure, hidden in a field, that a person found and hid. Then because of joy he went and sold all that he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he found a pearl of great value, he went out and sold everything he had and bought it.” —Matthew 13:44-46

The question of the day appears to be: Is Christ worth all to us? Is He above the “pearls” of our profession, our possessions, and our people? Do we search for Him as the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price? Do we desire to go deeper still in our knowledge of the Lord Jesus and in our relationship with Him?

This, of course, was the goal Paul pressed on to achieve:

“But these assets I have come to regard as liabilities because of Christ. More than that, I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things—indeed, I regard them as dung!—that I may gain Christ, and be found in him, not because I have my own righteousness derived from the law, but because I have the righteousness that comes by way of Christ’s faithfulness—a righteousness from God that is in fact based on Christ’s faithfulness. My aim is to know him, to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings, and to be like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained this—that is, I have not already been perfected—but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 3:7-14

Do you sense the passion in Paul’s words? The striving, the pressing onward, the focus on the goal? Paul’s words demonstrate he believed he had by no means reached the final stage of his sanctification. He knew he still had more spiritual heights to climb. This was Paul! He had been a believer for 30 years when he wrote this and had won many spiritual battles and grown greatly in the faith. I do not believe I am exaggerating when I say modern-day believers would be hard pressed to find someone who could fills his shoes. There will never be a time in our spiritual life where we are in a stalemate or reach a plateau regarding our spiritual growth.

Jesus Christ is to be our true treasure! In Him we find understanding, knowledge, wisdom, power, mercy, and grace. He is of unspeakable value and worth. In Him our cups are not only filled, they run over. Mere words can never do Him justice. He is the God of ultimate sufficiency when we allow Him to fill our aching souls. That is His desire. He longs for us to be complete in Him. That is what we have been created for.

“[Jesus] is that one pearl of great price, in comparison of whom all other goodly things that men desire are worthless. Without him we are poor and miserable, though we abound in all manner of worldly store; but if we have found him and discovered the excellency of his name, we are in possession of a treasure that makes us rich indeed, and have reason to be content with our portion, though stripped of every earthly comfort; for the Father gives grace and glory, even eternal life, in his Son Jesus Christ; and he that hath the Son of God hath life. Oh, my soul, thou, like the merchantman, hast been seeking goodly pearls, and eagerly looking here and there for happiness all thy days. Hast thou, at length, been enlightened to perceive where true joys are to be found? Then wilt thou be willing to sell all in order to win Christ, and be found in him; if there is anything that thou art unwilling to part with for his sake, thou knowest not his value, thou art not worthy of him.” —K. H. Von Bogatzky

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, for all things in heaven and on earth were created in him—all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or powers—all things were created through him and for him. He himself is before all things and all things are held together in him. He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in the Son and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross—through him, whether things on earth or things in heaven.” —Colossians 1:15-20

Become More

“For when I am to you more precious than all else; when I have become more real to you than all else; and when you love Me more than you love any other, then shall you know complete satisfaction. Your peace shall flow as a river, and your joy shall overflow as a fountain, and My glory shall be poured out as the fragrant anointing oil upon all your other relationships.” —Frances L. Roberts

Further Reflection

“If religion is worth anything, it is worth everything. They who do not like Christ on these terms, may leave him at their peril. Whatever we part with for this pearl of price, we may comfort ourselves with this belief, that it is well worth what we give for it. The terms are, that we prefer Christ.” —Matthew Henry

“While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers came and stood outside, asking to speak to him. Someone told him, ‘Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside wanting to speak to you.’ To the one who had said this, Jesus replied, ‘Who is my mother and who are my brothers?’ And pointing toward his disciples he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’” —Matthew 12:46–50

Just as living in a garage will not make us a car; neither will family relationships make us true disciples of Jesus. It is only through faith in the Lord Jesus that one is cleansed and has a right standing with our heavenly Father. This faith in Christ will produce eternal works in keeping with true repentance just as naturally as an apple tree produces an apple.

It is not what we muster up; it is what we flesh out. It is that which is within us—the good fruit of the Holy Spirit—that matters. This good fruit is never produced by our own abilities, but by the Holy Spirit’s all achieving power.

Jesus’ words in John come to mind:

“You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because the slave does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have revealed to you everything I heard from my Father. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.” —John 15:14–16

Jesus makes this same point in our verses for today. It is only those who do the will of His Father in heaven that are rightly related to the Savior. It is those being dominated by His dominance; those being filled with the fullness of God.

This is a lifelong process. We never “get there” in this fallen world. We never fully comprehend God, but we can grow closer and closer to Him in our understandings. The more we know Him, the more we love Him, and the more we love Him, the more we trust Him and desire to serve Him.

“I pray that according to the wealth of his glory he will grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, that Christ will dwell in your hearts through faith, so that, because you have been rooted and grounded in love, you will be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you will be filled up to all the fullness of God.” —Ephesians 3:16–19

Too often we want to blend in with this world. We are hesitant to take a stand for truth because we are eager to be embraced by family, peers, or even our church. We do not want to stand out by standing up. The idea that we may appear foolish or ridiculous is simply unappealing. We prefer to blend; drawing little or no attention to ourselves regarding our walk of faith. We remain silent when we should speak; indifferent when we should act; often disregarding the Holy Spirit’s nudging and leading. Instead, we seek to go our own way and expect God to bless us.

The Bible, on the other hand, is full of people that looked foolish to the world. How about believing God, as did Abraham, when his ninety-year-old wife was told she would conceive and give birth to a child? Or what about Noah building an ark with no water in sight and it had never even rained? Certainly Joshua had to have seemed foolish in simply marching around the walls of Jericho and expecting them to fall. The examples from Scripture go on and on ending with the cross of Christ which seemed foolish to the world, but was God’s ultimate perfect plan to save the souls of men. Indeed, being trail blazers in God’s kingdom can often look as foolishness to the world.

Remember, Jesus’ place was to suffer outside the camp. A place away from the embrace of the world. It was a place of scorn—a place reserved for criminals and outcasts—just as we all are before Christ.

“Therefore, to sanctify the people by his own blood, Jesus also suffered outside the camp. We must go out to him, then, outside the camp, bearing the abuse he experienced. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” —Hebrews 13:12–14

Become More

“The true Christian cannot be hid, he cannot escape notice. A man truly living and functioning as a Christian will stand out. He will be like salt; he will be like a city set on a hill, a candle set upon a candlestick. But we can also add this further word. The true Christian does not even desire to hide his light. He sees how ridiculous it is to claim to be a Christian and yet deliberately to try to hide the fact.

“A man who truly realizes what it means to be a Christian, who realizes all that the grace of God has meant to him and done for him, and understands that, ultimately, God has done this in order that he may influence others, is a man who cannot conceal it. Not only that; he does not desire to conceal it, because he argues thus, ‘Ultimately the object and purpose of it all is that I might be functioning in this way.’” —Martin Lloyd-Jones

Further Reflection

“I pray that according to the wealth of his glory he will grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, that Christ will dwell in your hearts through faith, so that, because you have been rooted and grounded in love, you will be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you will be filled up to all the fullness of God.” —Ephesians 3:16–19

“Now when Jesus learned of this, he went away from there. Great crowds followed him, and he healed them all. But he sternly warned them not to make him known. This fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:
“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I take great delight.
I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
He will not quarrel or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
He will not break a bruised reed or extinguish a smoldering wick, until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope.” —Matthew 12:15–21

Twelve times Matthew reminds his readers of prophecy presented in the Old Testament that is now a reality. The particular Old Testament passage Matthew is quoting from here is found in Isaiah 42. Clearly, this proves to be a powerful testimony to the divine origin of Scripture as well as its accuracy in even the minutest of details. This passage summarizes our Lord’s quiet ministry as well as a ministry which ushers in justice and hope to the nations ending in covering the whole earth with songs of praise and joy. Hallelujah!

The Pharisees were pursing Jesus with the intent of murdering him. Aware of their evil plans, Jesus withdraws from that place. Still, the crowds kept following. Mark records they flocked in not only from Galilee, but also Judea, Jerusalem, and Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the region of Tyre and Sidon. At a time when travel was done by foot, it is impressive that such large numbers of people would come bringing their sick from over 100 miles around—north, south, east, and west. And Scripture tells us, Jesus healed them all!

Such compassion and kindness Jesus shows to the helpless and hurting; mending the broken lives that come to Him. Always willing to show the love of his Father, Jesus was and is the broken life mender. Just read the testimony of the woman at the well or the woman caught in adultery. Sickness does not always have to be a physical condition. It includes the pain of collateral damage; damage done incidentally, damage that takes place in our families, damage as a result of being been hurt by something or someone else long ago. Jesus is able to fully heal our pasts.

Become More

“It is rare that Christians earnestly seek the Lord’s face when things are going swimmingly, when material blessings abound and we seem to be protected from the vicissitudes faced by others. But in the blackness of discouragement, when we are harassed and downcast, we may indeed turn to the Lord and acknowledge our helplessness apart from his grace; we may do so knowing that God is a compassionate God and that Jesus’ compassion was particularly directed toward the harassed and the helpless.” —D. A. Carson

Further Reflections

“For this reason the LORD is ready to show you mercy; he sits on his throne, ready to have compassion on you. Indeed, the LORD is a just God; all who wait for him in faith will be blessed.” —Isaiah 30:18

“They will not be hungry or thirsty; the sun’s oppressive heat will not beat down on them, for one who has compassion on them will guide them; he will lead them to springs of water. I will make all my mountains into a road; I will construct my roadways.” Look, they come from far away! Look, some come from the north and west, and others from the land of Sinim! Shout for joy, O sky! Rejoice, O earth! Let the mountains give a joyful shout! For the LORD consoles his people and shows compassion to the oppressed.” —Isaiah 49:10–13

“Beware of people, because they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues. And you will be brought before governors and kings because of me, as a witness to them and to the Gentiles. Whenever they hand you over for trial, do not worry about how to speak or what to say, for what you should say will be given to you at that time. For it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” —Matthew 10:17–20

Jesus’ words to His disciples regarding the response they should anticipate from His message appears anything but encouraging. He taught them they were to expect suffering—on His account—in carrying out His ministry. Floggings, arrests, and fears in speaking certainly do not promote warm fuzzies and sweet dreams! Yet our Lord also directed the disciples on how to bear up under these trials, how to go on with His work even in the midst of suffering. He tells them how to battle fear—the great enemy of faith. He gives them this instruction in an effort for them to be readied for battle and to remain at peace in every circumstance. It is our Lord’s desire for His disciples to be alert to the possibilities of difficulties and to be on guard so as not to be taken by surprise by the enemy.

Jesus’ words to us in John comes to mind:

“If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you do not belong to the world, but I chose you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you. Remember what I told you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they obeyed my word, they will obey yours too.” —John 15:18–21

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage – I have conquered the world.” —John 16:33

Scripture teaches us that following Jesus often results in the world’s hatred. James tells us that friendship with the world is hatred toward God:

“Adulterers, do you not know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God? So whoever decides to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy.” —James 4:4

We often think that suffering, trials, and tribulations are foreign to the will of God. Actually, nothing is further from the truth. Just take a look at the life Jesus lived and suffered through for the benefit of all sinful humanity. Christ foresaw His sufferings as well as those of His followers and He bids us to go forth as He resolutely went forth himself. He gives us a “heads up” in order that we will neither be surprised nor shocked by persecution. He desires that we be strengthened and encouraged.

Peter also stressed that we are not to be surprised when difficulties come:

“Dear friends, do not be astonished that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in the degree that you have shared in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice and be glad.” —1 Peter 4:12–13

Paul wrote:

“And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.” —Romans 8:28–30

Become More

“On Him then reckon, to Him look, on Him depend: and be assured that if you walk with Him, look to Him and expect help from Him, He will never fail you. An older brother, who has known the Lord for forty-four years, who writes this, says for your encouragement that He has never failed him. In the greatest difficulties, in the heaviest trials, in the deepest poverty and necessities, He has never failed me; but because I was enabled by His grace to trust in Him, He has always appeared for my help. I delight in speaking well of His Name.” —George Mueller

Further Reflections

“Calvary is God’s great proof that suffering in the will of God always leads to glory.” —Warren Wiersbe

“Anxiety, sickness, suffering, or danger … these are nothing when compared with the glory that will be revealed in, and for us.” —David Livingstone

“It is in the quiet crucible of our personal private sufferings that our noblest dreams are born and God’s greatest gifts are given; often given in compensation for what we have been through.” —Wintley Phipps

“Then Jesus went throughout all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were bewildered and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest-ready fields.’” —Matthew 9:35–38

In these verses Matthew concisely summarizes Jesus’ threefold earthly ministry—teaching, preaching, and healing.

This summation was to demonstrate, particularly to his Jewish readers, that Christ was indeed their long-awaited Savior. All of Jesus’ actions were intended to convince the Jewish people that God’s hand was moving at this time in history to accomplish His purposes. Yes, the time had fully come. His hearers were in turn each held responsible to repent—to turn from their sin—and believe that Jesus was the Messiah.

It is no different today! Each one of us is called to turn away from our sin and believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior! God was and is the giver of repentance and faith. He never changes.

Jesus demonstrated compassion to the harassed and helpless. It is not a pretty sight when sheep are left without a shepherd. They are bothered by wolves, bothered by parasites, and bothered by their own thick coats. They wander and are unable to help themselves. We are quite like them. Jesus looked at the human suffering before Him and felt deep compassion. He hurt because His people hurt. Never subscribe to the theory that the Lord Jesus does not care about our pain, problems, or predicaments. Even when He is silent, even when the wind keeps blowing, He cares and He cares deeply. He rises to show us compassion.

Jesus describes the great sea of human need by saying in Matthew that “the harvest is plentiful.” In every generation it is so. We are to open our eyes and ears to those around us. We too live in a time of a plentiful harvest. Jesus tells us to pray, asking the Lord of the harvest to send workers out into the fields!

He not only asks us to pray, He also commands us to “Go!” Go to your neighbor, go to your co-worker, go to the waitress, go to the classroom. Go to the furthest ends if God is leading. Go to your neighbor. If He sets before your eyes a need, you are the one to reach out to fill that need, or at the very least, to do your part. If you have two feet and a heartbeat, there is a plan for your life in God’s harvest field.

Become More

Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:18–20

Further Reflections

“When a person sees the excellence of the gospel, he senses the beauty and loveliness of the divine scheme of salvation. His mind is convinced that it is of God, and he believes it with all his heart. The light of the gospel is the glory of Christ, his holiness and beauty. Clearly, it is this divine light, shining into our hearts, that enables us to see the beauty of the gospel and have a saving belief in Christ. This supernatural light shows us the superlative beauty and loveliness of Jesus, and convinces us of His sufficiency as our Saviour. Only such a glorious, majestic Saviour can be our Mediator, standing between guilty, hell-deserving sinners such as ourselves, and an infinitely holy God. This supernatural light gives us a sense of Christ that convinces us in a way nothing else ever could.” —Jonathan Edwards

“While I regarded God as a tyrant I thought my sin a trifle; But when I knew Him to be my Father, then I mourned that I could ever have kicked against Him. When I thought God was hard, I found it easy to sin; but when I found God so kind, so good, so overflowing with compassion, I smote upon my breast to think that I could ever have rebelled against One who loved me so, and sought my good.” —C.H. Spurgeon

“As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. ‘Follow me,’ he said to him. So he got up and followed him. As Jesus was having a meal in Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ When Jesus heard this he said, ‘Those who are healthy don’t need a physician, but those who are sick do. Go and learn what this saying means: “I want mercy and not sacrifice.” For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’” —Matthew 9:9–3

Jesus’ ministry was and is directed toward all who realize they have a need.

It is important that each one of realize that we all are in the same condition apart from Christ: needy. There are no exceptions. Jesus came seeking to save the lost. And each one of us is lost without Him.

Luke records these words spoken by Jesus:

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” —Luke 19:10

The religious leaders thought it beneath them to associate with anyone they considered to be a “sinner”. Blind to the folly of their religious pride, they could not accept the fact that Jesus not only reached out to but welcomed those they believed to be beneath them. No one had greater zeal than they for the form of godliness.

We are all on level ground at the foot of the cross. There was and is no one righteous, not even one. We must be aware that pride is extremely dangerous. Pride never goes unpunished. A person who believes they are superior to others will eventually experience a downfall.

The Old Testament tells us:

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” —Proverbs 16:18

“Before destruction the heart of a person is proud, but humility comes before honor.” —Proverbs 18:12

Matthew, having received the mercy of God, now wants his friends to know of this salvation as well. By opening his home, he provides an opportunity for his associates to come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus. True grace is not content to sit alone and eat the morsels of its goodness; it invites others to its limitless bounty. Matthew did what he could. He opened his home and provided hospitality out of his own means.

Luke records the incident as follows:

“Then Levi gave a great banquet in his house for Jesus, and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the table with them.” —Luke 5:29

Matthew knew his friends needed a Savior!

Become More

“Sin is the sickness of the soul. It is deforming, weakening, disturbing, wasting, and killing, but Jesus Christ is the great Physician of souls. Wise and good people should be like physicians to everyone around them; Christ was so. Souls that are sick with sin need this Physician, for their disease is dangerous; nature will not help itself. No mortal can help us; we have such need of Christ that we are eternally ruined without Him.” —Matthew Henry

Further Reflections

“The essence of sin is pride. The heart of sin is independence and the core of sin is demanding my own way instead of God’s.” —Pat Singleterry

“To show what true religion consists in: not in external observances, but in doing all the good we can to the bodies and souls of others in righteousness and peace.” —Matthew Henry

“Now when Jesus saw a large crowd around him, he gave orders to go to the other side of the lake. Then an expert in the law came to him and said, ‘Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have dens, and the birds in the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.’ Another of the disciples said to him, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’” —Matthew 8:18–22

In these verses, we are given two examples of differing attitudes of those desiring to follow Jesus.

In the first example, a teacher of the law approached Jesus, zealous and seemingly resolute. At first blush, one would assume Jesus’ response to this teacher would have been one of gladness and excitement. How strange that our Lord would have responded in the way that He did. Yet, knowing the heart of this teacher and perceiving his misplaced zeal, Jesus begins to describe to the expert in the law the cost involved in following Him. Jesus knew that emotional zeal without knowledge will not sustain anyone when times become difficult. Jesus does not want His followers to enter into their relationship with Him without counting the cost. True discipleship must include intentionality and sacrifice.

I am reminded of Jesus’ words in Luke:

“For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t sit down first and compute the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish the tower, all who see it will begin to make fun of him.” —Luke 14:28–30

In the second example, another disciple also desired to follow Christ, yet he wanted a delay in fulfilling his commitment. He was slow in performing, which—as we see from Jesus’ response—misses the mark as much as emotional zeal and hastiness. We must act on what we know … today. Delayed obedience is disobedience.

The request from the disciple wanting to return home was not really due to the death of his father, as he would have already been involved in the burial process. Rather, this was a desire to go home and wait for his father to die. Familial responsibilities are extremely important to the Lord Jesus and likewise they are to be valued by His followers as well, yet they are never to take precedence over Him. We must remember that only Jesus is to occupy the throne of our lives.

“Then he said to them all, ‘If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it. For what does it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but loses or forfeits himself?’” —Luke 9:23–25

“Your cross is prepared and appointed for you by divine love, and you are to accept it cheerfully; you are to carry the cross as your chosen badge and burden, and not to stand judging it too severely. Jesus bids you to submit your shoulder to His easy yoke. Don’t kick at it in petulance, or trample on it in vain conceit, or fall under it in despair, or run away from it in fear, but take it up like a true follower of Jesus. Jesus was a cross bearer; He leads the way in the path of sorrow. Surely you could not desire a better guide! And if He carried a cross, what nobler burden would you desire? The ‘Via Crucis’ is the way of safety; don’t be afraid to tread its thorny paths … Carry your cross, and by the power of the Spirit of God you will soon be so in love with it, that like Moses, you would not exchange the reproach of Christ for all the treasures of Egypt. Remember that Jesus carried it, and it will smell sweetly; remember that it will soon be followed by the crown, and the thought of the coming weight of glory will greatly lighten the present heaviness of trouble. The Lord help you to bow your spirit in submission to the divine will which becomes a follower of the Crucified.” —Charles H. Spurgeon

Become More

Emotional zeal will not sustain us when the winds of life blow hard. Our love for Jesus must be grounded in the knowledge of the truth of His Word.

Further Reflections

“Nobody can fight properly and boldly for the faith if he clings to fear of being stripped of earthly possessions.” —Peter Damian

“Great victory has never been possible without great sacrifice.” —Samuel Zwemer

“There is only one time that is important—now!” —Leo Tolstoy

“Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also. The body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still: His kingdom is forever.” —Martin Luther

“After he came down from the mountain, large crowds followed him. And a leper approached and bowed low before him, saying, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’ He stretched out his hand and touched him saying, ‘I am willing. Be clean!’ Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Then Jesus said to him, ‘See that you do not speak to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest, and bring the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’” —Matthew 8:1–4

It is not surprising that the first miracle Matthew records of our Jesus’ ministry (although it was not the first miracle He performed) is the cleansing of a leper.

Leprosy is a lot like sin. Leprosy was known at that time in history as a dire and dreaded disease and was looked upon by the Jews as a particular mark of God’s displeasure. Lepers were banned to a life outside the city where they had no physical contact with others. They were not allowed in the temple for worship, their arms were not allowed to hug, their hearts received no words of encouragement or affirmation. They were required to constantly scream out “Unclean!” “Unclean!” to warn passersby not to come near them. Sin is the leprosy of the soul, shutting us out from communion with God.

Yet Christ came to turn away the wrath of God by taking away sin. It is so fitting that the first miracle Matthew records begins with the cure of a leper. Leprosy was a disease the Jewish people knew only God could heal. This leper could not help himself.

In the Old Testament we read about the specifics of the Jewish Law for those who had leprosy:

“As for the diseased person who has the infection, his clothes must be torn, the hair of his head must be unbound, he must cover his mustache, and he must call out ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ The whole time he has the infection he will be continually unclean. He must live in isolation, and his place of residence must be outside the camp.”—Leviticus 13:45–46

Large crowds had begun to follow Jesus immediately following the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), and although this leper was banned from joining the crowds, He was quite possibly within hearing distance of Christ’s teachings. In any case, this leper approached Jesus humbly, yet with a bold confidence in His ability to heal him: “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

Luke tells us in his account of this story that this leper was covered with leprosy—he was perhaps in the final stage of his life—and he fell facedown at Jesus’ feet in his humble petition:

“While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came to him who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed down with his face to the ground and begged him, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’” —Luke 5:12

Jesus, who never turns away any who willingly seek Him, in an act of merciful compassion, reaches out and touches the untouchable and speaks these assuring words to this man’s hopeful ears: “I am willing.” Jesus, who spoke the world into being, is not only able but willing to heal this man.

“Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” —Ephesians 3:20–21

Jesus always answers when we come to Him. If the answer is “No” when praying for a physical or spiritual healing, we can be assured that it is for a far greater “Yes” to something else, whether we can discern that or not. There is always much more going on than what we can see. God is always working whether we see His hand or not. As believers, this world is not our home, heaven is. Remember Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead for him only to die again. Whatever “thorn” He allows in our lives to remain—whether infirmity, sickness, or pain—He uses for our good.

How can we say that it is never God’s will for us to be sick if it was His will to allow His own Son to die? Like a diamond on black velvet, divine power is often best displayed against the background of human weakness. Our attitude of acceptance of whatever is allowed in our lives is grounded in knowing God always has our best interest at heart. Even though we cannot understand, we can still trust Him. It is called faith. He always provides the grace sufficient to meet each trial He allows in our lives.

Become More

“What shines forth and reveals God in your life is not your relative consistency to an idea of what a saint should be, but your genuine, living relationship with Jesus Christ, and your unrestrained devotion to Him whether you are well of sick.” —Oswald Chambers

Further Reflections

Sin is the leprosy of the soul, keeping us from communion with God.

“God’s mercy is vast and beyond our comprehension. He will never reject anyone who turns to Him for mercy. Nor will He force Himself on anyone who chooses to live without Him.” —Michael Youssef “Even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me – so that I would not become arrogant. I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.” —2 Corinthians 12:7–10