January 12 / Matthew 6:19-34

Matthew 6:19-34

Dear RTB’ers,

Wealth and anxiety. Two separate topics? Or two topics closely tied together…? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ (v. 31) It takes wealth (income) for us to buy our food and drink and clothing – and housing, possibly the most expensive today, but not mentioned by Jesus. And these basic necessities are a difficult purchase for millions of Americans – and an even greater problem for billions of people worldwide.

Money anxiety is a serious problem in the USA today. We see both spouses working just to meet the bills for life’s basic necessities. Then we see childcare so expensive that parents have a difficult time justifying both of them working. Then we have healthcare and healthcare insurance also expensive and increasingly so, a major issue in Congress today. And alongside all that we see pockets of enormous wealth. I remember a time when “millionaire” was a big term; today we talk of billionaires and their undue influence. I even saw an item recently that we have some individuals approaching trillionaire status. And people continue to go homeless and hungry.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth … but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven … For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. No one can serve two masters … You cannot serve God and money. (vv. 19-21, 24)

Blessings!

See also:

January 11 / Matthew 6:1-18

Matthew 6:1-18

Dear RTB’ers,

Giving, praying, fasting. Yesterday we saw five sets of “You have heard…But…” teachings from Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount”. Today we have three more pairings, “…they have their reward in full … But… your Father … will reward you.” (vv. 6:2,4; 5,6; 16,18) We have only a few sentences each about giving and fasting, with half of today’s verses about praying, including Jesus teaching us the “Our Father”. At the end of that prayer Jesus offers an additional emphasis on forgiveness. Interestingly, Carol and I watched a movie yesterday evening in which forgiveness was one of the main themes in the restoration of a broken relationship. A divine echo…? I’m asking myself (you might be asking yourself) whether forgiveness is something that is hindering my (your) spiritual growth. Something to think and pray about…

Blessings!

See also:

January 10 / Matthew 5:17-48

Matthew 5:17-48

Dear RTB’ers,

“…you have heard that it was said… But…” (Mt. 5:21,27,33,38,43). With each of these phrases Jesus offers a teaching that takes the Law (a commandment) to a new level, replacing the original with a higher standard reflecting a heart attitude different from a physical activity. Although Jesus has a rejoinder for each of the originals, I think that His response to the fifth of these sayings covers most any “…you have heard…” situation that we can imagine: “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” (Mt. 5:44). Love, not anger. Love, not lust. Love, not oath-taking. Love, not revenge. Love, not hate. Love.

Blessings!

See also:

January 8 / Matthew 4

Matthew 4

Dear RTB’ers,

Today’s reading covers Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, His “settling” in Capernaum, and His calling His first disciples. But what struck me was the few verses after these incidents: And He went throughout all Galilee, teaching … and proclaiming the gospel … and healing every disease and every affliction … and they brought Him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, and those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and He healed them. (vv. 23-24) Matthew covers in a few verses what we see in multiple chapters in Mark and Luke and what would have been a whole season in The Chosen. [NOTE: Yes, we will see much healing in later chapters, but Matthew says a lot in these few verses without going into detail.] My Study Bible noted that Matthew has a much larger focus on teaching (with a major focus on parables) than any of the other gospel writers. We will see this fully tomorrow when we begin the Sermon on the Mount, three chapters covering the next six days.

Blessings!

See also:

January 7 / Matthew 3

Matthew 3

Dear RTB’ers,

John and I posted comments and readers added their own comments when we read through the gospels in 2019, 2021, and 2023. I don’t look at those comments in advance, so anything that I post now could very well duplicate what John or I said in years past. There’s no problem with us duplicating material; it just reinforces the message. So, as I’ve mentioned many times before, please read the “See also” links each day. There’s a lot that can be said about each day’s reading in Matthew, both now and in the past.

Today, my thought goes to Jesus’ baptism: And when Jesus was baptized, immediately He went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him , and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on Him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (vv. 16-17) Here we have one of the few occasions in the gospels where all three members of the Trinity are present. The only one other that I can recall is Jesus’ Transfiguration. What a moment that must have been for Jesus – encouraged and empowered for ministry. As are we…!

Blessings!

See also:

January 6 / Matthew 2

Matthew 2

Dear RTB’ers,

“…in a dream…” We see this phrase five times in Matthew’s first two chapters (Mt. 1:20; 2:12,13,19,22). Dreams appear to be God’s choice in speaking to Joseph; recall that He had sent an angel to Zechariah, Mary, and the shepherds (Mt. 1:11-20,26-38; 2:9-15). Have any of you had God speak directly to you in a dream? Share your dream with the rest of us.

Again citing my Study Bible, in today’s reading Matthew offers three more Messianic proof texts: Out of Egypt I called My Son… (v. 15 from Hosea 11:1); A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more. (v. 18, from Jeremiah 31:15); and And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene. (v. 23, no specific Old Testament citation)

The Anglican and Catholic churches celebrate the Feast of the Holy Innocents on December 28, recalling Herod’s murder of the babies in Bethlehem. A sad remembrance…

Blessings!

See also:

January 5 / Matthew 1

Matthew 1

Dear RTB’ers,

I have often encouraged all of us to own a study Bible to read along the STS notes and my posts in our daily reading. One particular advantage of a study Bible is that each book in the Bible is given an introduction to the book itself, typically explaining its authorship, historical and geographic setting, and the author’s purpose in writing his book.

Today my main Study Bible offered one particular purpose in Matthew writing his gospel – his focus on Jesus’ Messiahship. The introduction states that Matthew has nine “proof texts” that prove Jesus’ Messiahship from Old Testament prophesies. Today we have the first of those: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel… (vv. 22-23, from Isaiah 7:14) I also noticed how very quickly Matthew refers to Jesus as the “Christ” (Messiah) in verses 16 and 17 and uses Jesus’ full name as “Jesus Christ” in verse 18. I’ll be noting these Messianic references as we read further in Matthew’s gospel.

Blessings!

See also:

January 4 / Isaiah 66

Isaiah 66

Dear RTB’ers,

Isaiah. Beginning on November 17 we have read Isaiah for 42 days out of the next 49 – only one week in that seven-week span reading the apostle John’s three letters. So we’ve been on a long journey, ending today on a happy note as we read more about the New Jerusalem and God’s final judgment on wrongdoers, His glory manifested for all to see.

A few highlights of the New Jerusalem: Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her … Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream… As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. (vv. 10a, 12a, 13)

And the final judgment: For by fire will the LORD enter into judgment … and those slain by the LORD shall be many… “Those who … go into the gardens … eating pig’s flesh and the abomination and mice, shall come to an end together, … and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see My glory… all flesh shall come to worship before Me…” (vv. 16-17, 18b, 23b)

Thus we end Isaiah.

Blessings!

January 3 / Isaiah 65

Isaiah 65

Dear RTB’ers,

Tomorrow, Sunday, January 4, our first RTB gathering of the new year – in Nathan Hall after coffee hour (and bus duty and cleanup). Come join us!

Today, two distinct threads between verses 1-16 and 17-25. In the former God is distinguishing between Israelites who are faithful (My servants, Isaiah 65:8,9, and especially Isaiah 65:13-15) and unfaithful (a rebellious people, Isaiah 65:2; people who provoke Me, Isaiah 65:3). He has harsh words and a deadly outcome for this latter group: But you who forsake the LORD, … I will destine you to the sword, and all of you shall bow down to the slaughter, because, when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not listen, but you did what was evil in My eyes and chose what I did not delight in. (vv. 11-12)

But for the former group, the faithful, He offers goodness and gladness: But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people… Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear. (vv. 18-19a, 24) Note the contrast in the bold phrases in the two paragraphs.

…choose this day whom you will serve, … But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15)

Blessings!

See also: October 5 (2023) / Isaiah 65-66.