Author: Don Guthrie

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 28:1-10, 16-20 (day one)

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.’ “–v 18.

It is such familiar scripture that we tend to miss the obvious (and amazing) point.  Jesus, raised to life by the power of God, comes to the disciples and raises them to new life as well.  New purpose came with His  words.  New power came 10 days later at Pentecost.  They were never the same.  He did not intend them to be.

Paul taught us this hunger.  “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection.”—Philippians 2:10.  The Scripture teaches this truth.  “Buried with Him through baptism into death. . . raised. . .to walk in newness of life.”–Romans 6:4.

The Resurrection of Christ was an earthquake with moral and spiritual aftershocks felt, even today, in the life of every believer.  He is risen!  I am too!

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 27:32-54 (day seven)

“At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.”–v 51.

I still remember the conversation.  Young man.  Bright.  Youth camp. We were talking about how people dress for worship.  (His normal pattern was shorts and flip flops).

Me–“you wouldn’t dress that way to meet the President of the United States”.

Him —“I would if the President was my Daddy.”

The torn-in-two-temple-veil reflects a similar idea.  What formerly was formal and foreboding was transformed, by the death of Christ, into a warm welcome from God into His presence and help.

We still fear God.  See Proverbs 1:7.  But not in a way that causes us to avoid Him for fear of condemnation.

“He predestined us to adoption as sons.”–Ephesians 1:5. “Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”–Hebrews 4:16.

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 27:32-54 (day one)

I am amazed and saddened by the behavior of the chief priests  on the day of the crucifixion. To come to  Golgotha was an extra trip.  For what?  To ridicule a dying man?  Give it a rest!

They had good information. “He saved others” they said in v 42.  “He trusts in God” they reported in v 43.  Accurate summary of Christ’s life and ministry.  But crucifixion was reserved for the worst criminals–designed to make death as painful and prolonged as possible.  Why couldn’t they see the injustice?

Common problem for religious people.  Right facts (about God).  Wrong heart (toward God).  Correct info.  Unsurrendered ego.  Like Jonah who knew about God, even obeyed Him, but his heart never changed, these lost and foolish men knew about Christ, but never come to faith and salvation.

“The word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard it.”–Hebrews 4:2

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 26:47-50, 57-66; 27:11-26 (day seven)

“Pilate took some water and washed his hands before the crowd and said, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood.’ “–27:24

“In the end we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”–Martin Luther King Jr.

Pilate claimed to be innocent.  Washed his hands in public.  Made a show of it.  But, was he?

Maybe, if sin is only a wrong deed done.  But if avoiding duty and refusing opportunity is also sin, then Pilate has no claim.

“We did not HATE you”, the world will say to Christ on the last day. “But, did you LOVE me?” the King will say, referencing His own command.

“We did not HURT anyone” the defense will continue.  “But did you HELP?  Did you actively and courageously stand and serve?”

Was Pilate innocent?  Not if God EXPECTS of us and DESERVES from us a courageous defense of the truth.

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 26:47-50, 57-66; 27:11-26 (day one)

A COMEDY of errors.  That is what we call it.  Narrative work.  Usually a play. One mistake leads to another and another.  Absurd.  Hilarious.

Our reading this week is a TRAGEDY of errors.  Many people rejecting, refusing loyalty to Christ and for many different reasons.  Caiaphas from envy.  Judas from his love of money.  Pilate from political expediency.  Different motivations.  Same decision.  Jesus is betrayed and rejected and condemned to die.

“God. . .has glorified His Servant, Jesus, the One whom you. . . disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him.  You disowned the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you.”–Acts 3:13-14.

Did the participants, that day so long ago, think they were doing right, acting appropriately?  Did they have reasons for their actions?  Yes, probably.  (Don’t we?)  But, for all of their excuses and self-justifications they were still morally and eternally wrong!

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 20:1-16 (day seven)

“You go and work in my vineyard and I will pay you what is right.”–v 4.

“For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”— 2 Corinthians 5:10.

Is work worth it?  From a cost-benefit analysis?  Why should a person strive for excellence if, at the end of the season, everyone gets the same trophy?  What motive can be found for  physical, spiritual, or professional effort?  Isn’t the wiser course to just “do enough to get by”?

Followers of Christ know the answer.  We work because our deeds will be judged. Evaluated.  Rewarded or rejected, received or refused.

Matthew 20 is a conversation on this important subject.  God will “judge the thoughts and the intentions of the heart.” As evidence, He will point to our response when He offered us a job.

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 20:1-16 (day one)

“These men. . .only worked one hour. . .and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day. “–v 12.

Is God fair?  By our standards, I mean?  Does He rule the universe with an even hand?

Not if you mean EQUAL, He isn’t.  Some people will have harder assignments than others.  Some people will get more talents.  (See Matthew 25)  Some will serve longer.  Some will eat better.

Not if you mean JUSTICE, He isn’t.  Including any of us in His Kingdom goes far beyond justice.  It is mercy!

But, if you mean GENEROUS and KIND and WISE, yes!  His will for each of us is “good and acceptable and perfect.”  (Romans 12:2)  Don’t compare! Trust God!  Receive what He gives you, both assignment and reward. More than fair, God is good.

“If I want HIM to remain until I return, what is that to you?  YOU follow ME.”–John 21:22.

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 18:21-25 (day seven)

“It is not the will of your Father. . .that one of these little ones perish.  And if your brother sins, go and reprove him. . .if he listens to you, you have gained you brother.”–v 14-15.

I like country music.  Don’t judge me.  Years ago, Trisha Yearwood had a song called, “A Walkaway Joe.”  Mom saw it.  Daughter didn’t.  The boy in question would eventually “walk away”.

Most of us have some of the same tendency. Someone in the church hurts our feelings.  We walk away.  Sin looks attractive.  We wander away, lose interest in Spiritual things.

Christ has instructions for this situation.  Those who love the Lord are to come to us and reprove us and help us and forgive us.  What good is a friendship so brittle that it breaks under tension?

God does not want us to perish.  When we walk away, He searches for us by sending the church.

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 18:21-35 (day one) 

“Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother?”–v 21.

I am sympathetic with Peter in this story.  Like him, I frequently (and unconsciously) come to God in search of some “reasonable” (my word) limit to what I am expected to do or be.  After all, “I am only human”.

Those who ask this question are always disappointed with Christ’s answer.  There are no limits!  None.  Not because it isn’t FAIR. Not because I am FATIGUED.  He asks of me the same kind of love that He has given me.  Boundless.  Infinite.  Free.  And promises to supply the living water flowing out of my innermost being making such miracle possible.  John 3:7.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace. . .against such there is no law, (no limit)–Galatians 5:22-23.

“Freely, freely you have received.  Freely, freely give”-Matthew 10:8.  Is there a reasonable limit to what He can ask of me?  No, no there isn’t.

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 13:1-23 (day seven)

“Seeing, they do not see; and hearing, they do not hear or understand.– v 13.

Old joke.  Farmer goes to New York City.  Sees a huge office building.  “How many people work in this building?”, he asks an man walking out the front door.  “About half of them.” says the man.

Old truth.  Unchanging.  Preacher steps up to a pulpit.  Huge crowd.  How many people really hear what the Lord is saying?  Understand what the Lord is requiring?  “About one fourth of them”, says Jesus.

Probably can’t be reduced to percentage.  Even so, it is a sad story.  MANY people don’t hear God.  Either can’t or won’t.  More the second than the first.

But some do.  SOME DO!  And so, “the sower went out to sow” v 3.  Even with a 1 in 4 success rate, it is worth it to the Lord.

Let him who has ears, hear what the Lord is saying to the churches.