Sunday, September 6, 2009

Daily Reading: Matthew 14-17

Reading Through the Bible in a Year
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3 comments:

  1. "Virtuous Wannabe"September 6, 2009 at 3:27 PM

    I found many rich lesson in this body of scripture. The part I'm focusing on is Matthew 14:1-14.
    Lesson #1 = If I don't heed the accountability that comes from my Christian brother's and sisters, not only will I be uncomfortable with my sin, but I have the potential to sin further. What did Herod have against John the Baptist? John told him the truth about his sin and this made Herod uncomfortable.
    Lesson #2 = I need to be careful what I promise. I just might have to keep my promise. It's quite possible that Herod was grieved because he made a promise to the daughter of his lover and now he had to keep his promise (which involved further sin).
    Lesson #3 = Any promise that does not honor and glorify God does not have to be kept. Herod could have backed out of this promise, but it was more important to "save face" and he loved his pet sin, so it was easier for him to take a man's life then it was to admit that he made a serious mistake.
    Lesson #4 = Even though Jesus was saddened by the loss of his friend and cousin, he went away, probably talked to His Father about it and then went ashore, had compassion on a great crowd of hurting people, and healed them. We all will go through seasons of trials and hurt, but we can't let this keep us from ministering to those hurting around us. As a matter of fact, that may be our most opportune time to minister. I think of Sister Jackie Fowler. I've heard her name several times over the past two weeks, how she has taken the time to minister to other hurting people, even following the most recent loss of her precious husband and friend. My tendency would be to crawl up in bed and wallow in self pity, but that would not bring my husband back and it would not further the kingdom of God. I'm sure Ms. Jackie hurts as much as anyone at the loss of her husband, but she "chooses" to allow God to work through her trials and heartache.

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  2. debseverydaySeptember 6, 2009 at 7:10 PM

    I agree with Sue, there are so many wonderful lessons from these 4 chapters.

    The compassion that Jesus had for others, even in the midst of His grief over John. He went away to mourn, to be alone in His heartache, and yet the people still sought Him to heal their sick. He didn't have any time alone to grieve. And instead of being frustrated or angry at the intrusion, He came ashore and went into the crowds to heal the sick. He felt compassion for them. He put their needs first.

    How often do we feel "put upon", or frustrated, or even irritated by the needs of others? Especially when we have problems or heartaches of our own? Lord, help me this day to have Christ-like compassion for others, even in the midst of my own pain.

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  3. AnonymousSeptember 6, 2009 at 9:13 PM

    Matthew in ch. 15 gives a stark comparison between the Pharisees and the noted Canaanite woman. The Pharisees were the people Christ came to save as He states in v.24, and the woman was a non-Jewish pagan, on the level of a dog in the eyes of the Jews.

    Christ brings judgment upon the Pharisees and their false acts of piety. They were taking the money that they should have been using to honor their father and mother in old age, and giving it to God. They were supposing that they could break one commandment of God to fulfill another. Their hearts were full of wickedness even in the giving of money, they did it for their own righteousness. Had they been of Christ they would have honored their father and mother.

    The disciple's reactions are also different in respect to each group of people, in regards to the Pharisees they are concerned b/c they have been offended. And in regards to the woman, they wish to do away with her b/c they see her as burdensome. Absolutely wrong on both accounts, we(I) should note my hardness of heart in such situations, appeasing those who have an appearance of godliness but lack the power thereof, while being disgusted with those who are truly broken and of great faith.

    The non-Jewish pagan, in contrast to the Pharisees, comes to Christ crying out to Him for healing. Even though she was a pagan, she was familiar at least with who He might be, seeing as she called Him the Son of David. Christ then test her, saying that it is only to Israel He has been sent.

    But she doesn't turn away, instead she kneels before Him begging Him again for help. "Lord, help me."

    This is a beautiful portrait of brokenness, of waiting upon God. A picture of humility, of the exasperated realization that leads to "Lord, help me." Knowing that no one else can help you, it is only He. And if He does not provide, it will not be given.

    But even after that Christ tells her again, this time more harshly. He has come for Israel, and what is meant for Israel is not meant for the dogs.

    Her heart is captured in her response, "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the master's table." This is how our hearts should be, willing to take any morsel, any crumb from the Master's table. Seeing the morsels as a treasure, being of like humility, to desire to beg and tarry with Christ until what we desire has been granted. That Christ would show forth His power in our lives, transforming us into His likeness.

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