Matthew 12:22-50

Dear RTB’ers,

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. (vv. 36-37) I have heard these verses referred to as “tape-recorder verses”. When we come before God to be judged, He has no need to call out our failures. All He has to do is play a tape recorder with our own words condemning ourselves.

This thought certainly rings true for me. I have long been a judgmental person; maybe it’s a natural part of my profession. No need for me to go into details; I have asked forgiveness and asked God to turn me around. These days I look for something good to say to many people that I meet, something like “nice smile” or “nice necklace” or more words than a simple “thank you” or whatever… It makes me feel better about myself (actually, about God’s work in me), and it enhances the day just a bit for the person that I have just complimented. Truly, just yesterday as I left the cubicle where I had the address on my driver’s license changed, the lady to whom I had been assigned said to me, “You made my day!” I also left just that much happier. It’s not hard to find something nice to say.

Blessings!

---

See also:

• October 20 (2023) / Matthew 12:22-50; Mark 3:20-35; Luke 11:14-36; 8:19-21
• February 11 (2021) / Luke 6:43-49; Matt. 12:33-37; Matt. 7:21-29
• February 17 (2021) / Matt. 12:22-30; Mark 3:20-27; Luke 11:14-23
• February 18 (2021) / Matt. 12:31-32, 38-50; Mark 3:28-35

Matthew 11:25-12:21

Dear RTB’ers,

Today, two Sabbath issues – the disciples plucking grain and Jesus healing. In both cases Jesus answers His critics, in the first with citations from the Old Testament and in the second with a common sense response. It is interesting to me that Jesus did not quote Scripture in the second case, but Matthew covers that for Him (for us!) with the longest Old Testament quote in his gospel, the well-known “suffering Servant” passage from Isaiah 42:1-4.

I have mentioned the scribes’ and Pharisees’ challenges to Jesus on at least three occasions in the last week. Today we see those burning embers flare up into a bright fire: But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, how to destroy Him. (v. 12:14) My Study Bible offers nine more references from all four gospels where the Pharisees (and others) are conspiring against Jesus. And in Matthew’s gospel (if he wrote at all chronologically) Jesus is still in Galilee and had not been to Jerusalem from the time that He began His ministry. The Jerusalem leaders had come to Him even before He came to them. Interesting…!

Blessings!

---

See also:

• April 2 (2021) / Matt. 8:18-22,11:20-30
• October 16 (2023) / Matthew 9:1-17, 12:1-14; Mark 2:1-3:6; Luke 5:17-6:11
• February 1 (2021) / Matt. 12:1-14; Mark 2:23-3:6; Luke 6:1-11
• March 1 (2019) / Matthew 12:15-22

Matthew 11:1-24

Dear RTB’ers,

Matthew spends 19 of our 24 verses today with Jesus relating to John the Baptist. I often wonder how much interaction those two cousins had with each other while they were growing up. Very likely they met regularly when they were younger when their families went to Jerusalem for regularly-scheduled (triannual) temple visits. We don’t know at what age John went off to the desert and then began his ministry, but my sense is he began baptizing not long (maybe a couple of years?) before Jesus began His own ministry at age 30. So I do wonder at their interaction before they each began their ministries.

…the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. (v. 5) Here Jesus is quoting Isaiah (Isaiah 35:5-6, 61:1) It was just last month that we finished Isaiah. It’s nice to see Jesus’ connection with these passages so soon after we have read them!

Blessings!

---

See also:

• February 14 (2021) / Matt. 11:2-19
• November 1 (2023) / Matthew 11:20-30; Luke 10, 11:37-12:21, 12:35-59

Matthew 10:24-42

Dear RTB’ers,

It’s February! Already…? I’m thankful to say goodbye to January. We’ve been in one of the worst cold, snow conditions that I can remember in the past many years. Praying for a better February and an early Spring!!

Anxiety. It’s not only in the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus talks about anxiety: Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (vv. 29-31) Jesus speaks the word “fear” four times in this one paragraph, concerning both physical and spiritual challenges, but also providing an emotional base for us as believers. There is no part for anxiety or worry in our lives. Jesus is fully aware of all that we are facing. Live with it. Pray, asking for wisdom, and always join Him in His prayer at Gethsemane, “Not My will, but Your will be done.” Pray and wait. Wait and pray.

Blessings!

---

See also:

• October 24 (2023) / Matthew 9:35-11:1, 14:1-12; Mark 6:7-29; Luke 3:19-20, 9:1-9 (again)
• March 8 (2021) / Matt. 10:16-11:1

Matthew 9:35-10:23

Dear RTB’ers,

Jesus now leaves Capernaum and travels throughout Galilee, sending the Twelve to do the same after giving them instructions. He also predicts trouble for them: Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves… Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for My sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. (vv. 10:16-18) We see Jesus’ warnings fulfilled after His Resurrection, in the Acts of the Apostles, especially in the apostle Paul’s journeys: When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next… (v. 10:23a; see this played out for Paul in Acts 13:44-14:7). We see Jesus’ warnings also in our own time, especially where Christians are persecuted by Moslems and repressed by government authorities in autocratic nations. One item in our Sunday “Prayers for the People” is a prayer for the persecuted church.

I spoke to our church last summer about us sharing our faith, as we imagined ourselves as either one of “the twelve” (well-prepared) or one of “the 72” (less well-prepared). My words back then bear repeating: “A final bit of Gospel guidance that I can offer is the best (except for Jesus’ command). I offer you the Holy Spirit… Here we have Jesus’ words during Luke’s “Travel Narrative”, Luke 12:11-12, And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Matthew’s words today are even stronger: For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (v. 10:20) Can you imagine God speaking through you? It happens. It’s His gift to us! Speak up! Share your faith!!

And stay after coffee hour tomorrow for our monthly RTB gathering. It’s a fun time – great discussions!

Blessings!

---

See also:

• October 24 (2023) / Matthew 9:35-11:1, 14:1-12; Mark 6:7-29; Luke 3:19-20, 9:1-9
• March 6 (2021) / Matt. 9:35-10:15

Matthew 9:9-34

Dear RTB’ers,

Today, Jesus’ calling of Matthew (Levi) and another three healing miracles. Two of these healings were prophesied by Isaiah: Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. (Isaiah 35:5-6a) Matthew quotes the Old Testament far more than any of the other gospel writers, but he did not quote Isaiah for these two healings. Surprising.

Each of the past two days I have posted of Jewish leaders (scribes) following or challenging Jesus. Today we have another Jewish leader, a synagogue official (Jairus) actively seeking Him out, not for a healing but for a resurrection! Jairus speaking: My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live. (v. 18b) And Jesus complied. I’m struck at the faith of this synagogue official, to believe that Jesus could raise the dead…! Along with Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, one wonders at whether Jairus became a follower, either actively or silently. How could he not, every moment that he saw his daughter up and moving about?!

We see mention of “the house” twice today, in verses 10 and 28. Presumably Jesus is in Capernaum, which was His “headquarters” during His Galilean ministry: And getting into a boat He crossed over and came to His own city. (v. 9:1) “The house” in today’s reading is likely Peter’s residence, where Peter lived with his wife and mother-in-law. Jesus probably stayed there when He was in town. The series, The Chosen centers a lot of Jesus’ and His disciples’ activity in that house.

REMINDER: Our monthly RTB gathering this Sunday in Nathan Hall after coffee hour (and cleanup). Come join us!!

Blessings!

---

See also:

• October 16 (2023) / Matthew 9:1-17, 12:1-14; Mark 2:1-3:6; Luke 5:17-6:11
• January 30 (2021) / Matt. 9:9-13; Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32
• January 31 (2021) / Matt. 9:14-17; Mark 2:18-22; Luke 5:33-39
• February 28 (2021) / Matt. 9:18-34

Matthew 8:23-9:8

Dear RTB’ers,

Yesterday’s STS introduction told us that we would be reading three sets of three miracles each in Matthew’s chapters 8 and 9. Yesterday we saw three healings – leprosy, paralysis, and a fever. Today we see the second of these three sets of miracles – Jesus calming the storm, casting out demons, and healing the paralytic.

I’m probably repeating myself, but I can’t read the incident of Jesus calming the storm without recalling one of the stories from our Avanza Jesus Storybook Bible, where the authors wrote that when Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm (v. 8:26b) that the wind and the sea recalled His voice from when He first created them at the beginning of history. A really nice thought…!

If I had been a bystander when Jesus healed the paralytic, what would I have thought? Would I have the same mind as the scribes, inherently suspicious: And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” (v. 9:3) How would I then have responded to Jesus’ comment, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?” (vv. 9:4b-5) Would Jesus have convinced me when the man got up and left? What more would Jesus have to do before I joined Him, like yesterday’s scribe, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever you go.” (v. 8:19b) Which scribe would I tend toward, yesterday’s or today’s? Knowing myself, I probably would have wanted to follow Jesus for a while from a distance until I saw more of Him. I’m a bit slow, cautious that way.

Thankfully, today, I have seen more of Him and He has convinced me. He is my Way, Truth, and Life, and I am forever blessed in Him! Glory!!

Blessings!

---

See also:

• October 22 (2023) / Matthew 8:23-34, 9:18-34; Mark 4:35-5:43; Luke 8:22-56
• February 25 (2021) / Matt. 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25
• February 26 (2021) / Matt. 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20
• January 29 (2021) / Matt. 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26

Matthew 8:1-22

Dear RTB’ers,

Back to Matthew for the next couple of weeks. Jesus has finished His “Sermon on the Mount”; immediately we see Him healing all kinds of infirmities – leprosy, paralysis, a fever, and …many who were oppressed by demons, and He cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. (v. 16b) I tend to think that Jesus in Matthew’s gospel has a greater teaching focus than any of the other gospels, but consistent with the other synoptic gospels, Matthew also shows Jesus with a healing ministry and as a miracle worker.

Following Jesus… And a scribe came up and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” (v. 19) When I think of accounts of someone specifically mentioned as one who is following Jesus or asking about following Him, I have in mind His own selection of the twelve, mostly fishermen and other tradesmen. I also think of the “rich young ruler” asking about eternal life (Matthew 19, Mark 10, Luke 18) and then declining Jesus’ suggestion. But here, early in Jesus’ ministry we have a scribe desiring to follow Him. Scribes are learned Jewish leaders who were responsible for teaching and interpreting Scripture in the Temple and in the synagogues. Later we will learn of other Jewish leaders (e.g., Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea) who also became bold enough to step out. Yes, a scribe following “wherever”… I wonder if he stayed on…?

Blessings!

---

See also:

• January 28 (2021) / Matt. 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16
• February 12 (2021) / Matt. 8:5-13; John 4:46-54
• October 15 (2023) / Matthew 8:14-17; 4:23-25; 8:1-4; Mark 1:21-45; Luke 4:31-5:16
• January 26 (2021) / Matt. 8:14-17; Mark 1:29-34; Luke 4:38-41
• July 2 (2019) / Matt. 8:18-22

Obadiah 1-21

Dear RTB’ers,

Obadiah, our final minor prophet during this stretch of RTB readings. Our STS authors give us a good introduction to Obadiah. I would especially encourage you to read their citation of Numbers 20:14-21. Those verses tell of Edom’s refusal to allow Israel to pass through their territory on their journey from the Wilderness to the Promised Land, even though Edom and Israel were “brother nations” due to their ancestry from Jacob and Esau. You might want to read the long history of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25, 27, 32-33) for a better understanding of that brotherly relationship.

Obadiah is all about Edom’s destruction. Some scholars read “Edom” to reflect any (or all) of those nations that fought with Israel, but for now we’ll just imagine that Obadiah meant Edom itself, the mountainous nation from the southern tip of the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. Obadiah tells Edom that it will fall: The pride of your heart has deceived you, who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, “Who will bring me down to the ground?” Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the LORD. (vv. 3-4)

The word “day” appears a dozen times in this one chapter. Mostly it is used as “that day” or “the day”, in conjunction with the Lord’s eight “do not…” commands in verses 12-14. That changes in the next verse, however, where “the day of the LORD”, suggests something more eschatological: For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head. (v. 15) Again, as with other “end times” prophecies that we have read, the Lord will rule from Jerusalem: But in Mount Zion there shall be those who escape, and it shall be holy… Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau, and the kingdom shall be the LORD’s. (vv. 17a, 21) It’s worth noting that the NASB translates “saviors” as “deliverers”, suggesting a time more contemporary than an end-times prophecy. So it’s your call – current or end-times prophecy? Thoughts?

Blessings!

---

See also: August 11 (2023) / Psalm 137; Obadiah; Jeremiah 52:28-30; Ezekiel 33:1-20.