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Matthew 20

“So the last shall be first, and the first last.” Jesus explains this teaching with a parable. Workers are hired throughout the day, each agreeing to a day’s wage. At the end of the day, every worker is paid the same amount. Those who were there first were angry. The point here is about God’s willingness to save anyone, and our need to be humble and grateful. The disciples struggled with this at times. Later in this chapter, even after Jesus describes His coming death, the mother of James and John asks for her sons to have exalted positions. All the disciples get upset with this. Jesus informs them that the kingdom is about service, mercy, and selflessness. Jesus then demonstrates this by healing two blind men who begged for help.

Those who pridefully yearn to be first in the kingdom may miss it altogether. If Jesus had been that way, He would not have died for us, and we would be lost. The parable of the workers is designed to humble the Jews because many would later be upset by Gentiles being added to the kingdom. But it is also important for us. Maybe we are like the disciples, hoping to be rewarded for our labor. If our focus is on ourselves and what we deserve, then we miss the whole point of the kingdom. We might miss that compassion for others and service to others, even those who come after us, is what Christ and His kingdom are all about.

Kind and caring heavenly Father, thank You for being so patient with us. We sometimes get caught up in our accomplishments and our efforts and can lose sight of the fact that we are saved only by Your grace. Give us humble hearts to be grateful to be in Your vineyard and to never compare ourselves to others. Your Son died for each one of us. He took the low place to raise us up. Give us hearts and opportunities to do the same for someone in need today in honor of our humble Savior.

Thought Questions:

- If you had worked all day, would you accept latecomers getting paid the same as you? How does this parable challenge you to check your heart?

- What does this phrase look like in your life, your home, and your relationships: “Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant”?

- If Jesus can stop mid-mission and heal two blind men out of compassion, how might you be able to do something like that today?

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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Feel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.com

Matthew 19

The Pharisees again seek to test and discredit Jesus. Here they ask Him about divorce: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all”? Jesus answers by going straight to God’s word in the beginning. He then explains that the kingdom of heaven will be open to those who treasure marriage in a holy and righteous way. Following this, a rich man comes to ask about eternal life. While he is willing to keep the law, the man is not willing to give up his riches. Jesus responds by saying that it will be very hard for the rich to enter heaven. Jesus gives powerful instruction: treasure your spouse and be charitable with your money! For those who do such, they will inherit eternal life.

The greatest impact of this chapter is the dual concepts of marriage and money. Both still dominate the landscape of life today. They each have the potential to be very good for us and to honor God. But they have also been abused and twisted to dishonor God’s will. Jesus’ teaching on marriage goes back to the very beginning when God united a man and woman for life. May we always enter and continue in marriage with that goal in mind. Money, on the other hand, is often kept selfishly when it should be given to help others. The rich need to hear Christ’s call to generosity. Those who sacrifice to honor His teachings will reap blessings now and eternally.

Wonderful Creator, give us the humility to live Your way, even when it is difficult. Your Son has beautifully answered life’s most challenging questions and we pray for ears to hear. Please help us to approach marriage in a way that honors You. We pray for committed hearts, even in challenging situations, so far as it depends on us. And Lord, as rich and prosperous people, we pray for help in being generous and kingdom focused. Give us strength to trust in You, and to demonstrate that trust in our homes, with our wallets, and in every possible way.

Thought Questions:

- How is the new law of Christ more difficult than the law of Moses? Is it easier to fight for a marriage or to divorce your spouse and leave?

- What are ways you can show God’s love in your marriage? And among the world, how do you show a charitable heart to others in need?

- If you make great personal sacrifices to honor the will of Christ, what will be the rewards you can enjoy now, and what is coming later?

Send us a text

Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)
Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)
Youtube Video Introducing the Content
Feel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.com

Matthew 18

If the previous chapter called for greater faith, then today’s content serves as a potent way to develop it. The chapter opens with Jesus teaching humility to His disciples by having a child come sit on His knee. He instructs them to do whatever it takes to avoid causing such little ones to stumble. They are of tremendous value to God. Christ instructs disciples to go to great lengths to restore those who are caught in sin. Sinners should be disciplined if they continue in sin, but disciples will need forgiving hearts for restoration efforts to work. To help with this, Jesus tells a parable of a man forgiven nearly infinite debt, but who will not forgive his brother of much less. Judgment is swift upon such a one.

Growing in our trust in Jesus can be cultivated by embracing four words: humble, careful, useful, and merciful. Four sections in this chapter illuminate each one. To be like a child is to be dependent on Christ, leaning upon Him for all we need. Be humble. But we also must see our fellow believers as God’s children. God will respond dramatically if we hurt His little ones. Be careful. Sometimes disciples get caught in sin and need help seeing their way out. We are called to go to them. Be useful. This means limitless forgiveness and compassion for others, as we reflect on God’s patience in our lives. Be merciful. In these four ways, we honor our Savior.

Gracious Lord, we praise You for Your qualities that bring us great hope. You are humble, serving when You have the right to be served. You are careful, and patiently help us develop. You are useful, in that You never stop trying to draw us close and help us turn to You. And You are incredibly merciful and forgiving, restoring us every time we make a request. Thank You for Your incredible goodness. Today, will You help us and encourage us to demonstrate these same qualities toward others? May we do so to others to show gratitude to You.

Thought Questions:

- What does it mean for you to be “converted and become like children”? Why do you think the kingdom requires people like this?

- How do you balance the need to be careful with others with the command of Jesus to go show fault to a brother in sin? How can you do both?

- Why did the man seize his neighbor who owed him little, even though he had been forgiven so much? What do we learn from this?