Author: Scott Lane

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

The women who went to the tomb were told, “do not fear”, and to “go and tell the His disciples” (Matthew 28:5, 7).   They left in obedience. Don’t let this fact be ignored. They showed great courage and trust to obey the commands of the angel.

Yet, Matthew says they had fear (28:8). Why the fear? I believe the answer is found in their encounter with the Risen Jesus as they made their way back to the disciples. He again repeated the words of the Angel (Do not be afraid). But in this exchange, he changes a word. He uses the word “brothers” instead of “disciples”. Why? Could it be that the women were worried about what this meant (judgment, punishment, shame, guilt) for the disciples? Jesus extends His kindness to the women and to the disciples by calming their fears and proclaiming a word of assurance and love. He calls them His brothers.

Anyone need to be reminded of His kindness today?

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

There are many people that share experiences and conversations with Jesus in the gospel narratives. Ever wonder what happened to them? Did they follow Christ? Did they influence others to become believers? Would they become leaders and teachers?

Remember Paul Harvey’s radio program- “The Rest of the Story”?

We get a little snippet about the “rest of the story” for Simon the Cyrene. We look to Mark 15:21 to find that not only is his name listed, but also the names of his sons. If he was just a member of the crowd that day, how did the gospel writers know his name and the names of his sons? Maybe Simon’s encounter was life changing, not only for him but for his family as well. It is possible they all became believers and joined the community of believers to the degree that their names were known?

Reflect back to your first experience/encounter with Jesus. Remember how life changing it was? Will you tell and influence others?

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

One of the saddest descriptions of discipleship in Matthew 47:58, “But Peter was following Him at a distance”. When following at a distance, it can be easy to ask the wrong question. Teenagers ask it all the time. “How far is too far?” “Can I do this and still be considered faithful and pure?” “Can I choose this and still be labeled as godly?” Don’t be so quick to look down on teens. Adults do it as well. We are just more sophisticated about it.

What influences were at work in Peter’s heart? Fear? Uncertainty? Frustration? Helplessness? Anger? Any sound familiar? Maybe the question we should ask in those moments is “How close is too close?” We can be intentional to draw “near” to The Lord and His people.

Hebrews 10: ²² let us draw near to God with a sincere heart  ²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.

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

This parable is chocked full of good news!! The landowner is SO kind and generous. He is faithful to keep his promises. He rewards his workers from his perspective.

However, the most wonderful news to me, is the fact that during this parable, the landowner goes out five times during the day to hire workers. He calls out to workers and they respond. Evening comes and they are all brought to receive their reward.

If we think about the symbolism, we are still in the “daylight”. The Lord continues to call disciples/workers out from the crowds. Does that place a burden on your heart? Do you sense the urgency of time? Know anyone that needs to hear Him call?

While there’s still “daylight”: Will you share the gospel with them? Will you pray for their salvation? Will you encourage them to come experience Preaching/Singing/Bible Study/Fellowship and be in His presence?

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

The goal for the ride back to Ft. Worth from Odessa, was to see how high I could count. As a little boy, my counting skills were just blossoming.   With dad’s help, I think I surpassed a million. (It was a longer ride for him than for me) Numbers and digits I had never dreamed of were written on my notepad.

When Jesus values the debt at “ten thousand talents”, He’s doing the same kind of thing. It was both the largest amount of currency and the largest numeral known to the Greeks. How much was that?   It was a “ginormous” amount.

I had a college professor who always said, “If you never know how lost you were, you’ll never know how saved you are”. It’s same principle Jesus was teaching. “If you never know how much in debt you were, you’ll never know how forgiven you really are”.

Psalm 130: ³ If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?
⁴ But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

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

Communication in its basic form involves 2 things: sending (speaking) and receiving (hearing). Jesus’ words in Matthew 13:9 “He who has ears let him hear”, express His concern and burden for those who are on the receiving/hearing part of the equation. Notice there is no mention or attention directed toward The Sender. There is no doubt or uncertainty in Jesus’ mind that God (the sender/speaker) is totally effective and completely capable in His part of the task in communicating His Character and Nature to the human heart. See Psalm 19, Hebrews 1 and, Romans 1.

Notice also the tremendous opportunity for all of us in verse 9.

Makes me want to say, “I WANT TO HEAR!!”

Anybody desperate and in need of a word or message from the Living God??

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 7:1-27 (day five)

After reading Matthew 7, I think it would be healthy and helpful for each of us to answer a few questions:

1) Have I entered in God’s Kingdom through the narrow gate? (Matthew 7:13-14)

2) Is there visible change and consistent indication of God’s presence and power (fruit) in my life? (Matthew 7:17-20)

3) Am I building “my house on the rock” by being intentional and desperate to hear the words of Jesus AND by practically and generously obeying those words? (Matthew 7:24-27)

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 6:19-34 (day five)

Do you feel the personal intensity of this sermon (on the Mount) as Jesus begins to make application and challenge each of His listeners? The way Jesus does this in Matthew 6, is the same way His Spirit (Holy Spirit) does it now. God will begin to speak to particular areas of our lives that are NOT “in step with the Spirit” and do not reflect the strength, trust, love, and hope found in a life with Christ. And so in our Re:Verse passage this week, Jesus speaks to particularly personal areas that are outward reflections of our inward desire to trust, love, and hope in the Lord. Jesus is not intimidated by our sin. He will continue to place tension and conviction at the place and point of our sin. The goal is for our outward conduct to match our inward desires. It was the life He lived- perfect obedience. . Jerry Bridges says, “Obedience that isn’t delighted in is not perfect obedience”

“I delight to do your will, o my God; your law is within my heart” – Psalm 40:8

Re:Verse reading–Matthew 5:17-48 (day five)

Jesus begins the sermon on the mount in the third person. As he continues to preach and teach, he begins to get more and more personal in his application and exhortation. As the new year begins, many will make New Year’s Resolutions. As we consider 2016 and possible resolutions, here are a few insights from this week’s passage. Instead of do’s and don’ts, Jesus taught about character, integrity, virtue, and transformation. Jesus was convinced that the hope and potential of spiritual growth and progress is grounded in a relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Dallas Willard- “The revolution of Jesus is in the first place and continuously a revolution of the human heart or spirit. It did not and does not proceed by means of the formation of social institutions and laws, the outer forms of our existence, intending that these would impose good order of life who come under their power. Rather, his is a revolution of character which proceeds by changing people from the inside through [an] ongoing personal relationship to God in Christ.”