Matthew 15:1-20

Dear RTB’ers,

Scribes and Pharisees again…: Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem… (v. 1) It is reasonable to give the scribes and Pharisees a break once in a while. Yes, they always seem to be testing Jesus, but they had a valid reason – there often appeared a number of people in Israel claiming to be the messiah and showing “signs and wonders”. The Jerusalem leaders would send out their “agents” to test out these people. Jesus’ fame had spread and He needed to be tested, according to this way of thinking. So, not unreasonable that these agents came from Jerusalem.

But to take Jesus to task for His disciples simply not washing their hands before they ate??!! That seems a bit unreasonable! Maybe challenge Him on bigger items, like casting out demons (from a few days ago). Charlatans could easily bring in a friend with a fake demon-possession and heal him. That item is worthy of a test. But challenging Him on their own traditions…! Isaiah nailed it – “…teaching as doctrines the commandments of men…” (v. 9b, quoting Isaiah 29:13). And then Jesus’ calling them out offends them! Then the disciples came and said to Him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” (v. 12) I’m sorry, but putting myself into this story, I think that I would just be standing around and chuckling to myself! Until I realized that He was also speaking to me: But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. (v. 18) I remember stories from “back in the day” of parents washing their children’s mouths out with soap after they heard or learned of some vulgarity spoken by their child. Bad parenting or not, the sad thing is that those parents should have listened to Jesus and found a way to “wash their child’s heart”, not their mouth.

Could someone please lend me a bar of heart-soap?

Blessings!

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See also: March 15 (2021) / Matt. 15:1-20.

Matthew 14:13-36

Dear RTB’ers,

Two incidents today, one for the crowd (Feeding the 5000) and one for the disciples (Walking on Water). The Feeding of the 5000 was more interesting to me when I watched it on The Chosen. There the crowd was compliant and the disciples were confused. But they all did what Jesus asked and it turned out well for everyone. More interesting seeing it than just reading it…!

Jesus walking on the water seems to be more about Peter (and us!) than about Jesus. Yes, it is a noteworthy miracle, with millions of unbelievers trying to explain it away, but as we saw when Jesus calmed the storm, there’s no reason why the water would not have obeyed their Maker and kept Him up. Jesus rising from the dead puts His personal stamp on any other miracle that He performed. But Peter… Belief, then fear. Belief in Jesus calling to him and keeping his eyes on Jesus, then fear when he took his eyes off Jesus: He [Jesus] said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” (vv. 29-30) The lesson is there for all of us – to just keep our eyes on Jesus and not be troubled by events around us. It’s a simple task, but seemingly so difficult to follow. Help me, Lord!! Or quoting Peter, “Lord, save me.”

Blessings!

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See also:

• October 25 (2023) / Matthew 14:13-33; Mark 6:30-52; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-21
• March 10 (2021) / Matt. 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44
• March 12 (2021) / Matt. 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:16-21
• May 22 (2019) / Matt. 14:34-36

Matthew 13:53-14:12

Dear RTB’ers,

Today, two very personal narratives from Jesus’ earthly life. First is His homecoming at Nazareth: And they took offense at Him. (v. 13:57a) The previous verses highlight the city’s knowledge of His family and His background. No doubt the Nazarenes had heard of the mighty works that Jesus had done throughout Galilee. So were the townspeople jealous or angry that He did not do the same there? And He did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. (v. 13:58) Many of us who have moved on from our hometowns have probably felt similar reactions from our hometown family and friends when we returned. But Jesus took it in stride, responding: A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household. (v. 13:57b) Somewhat similar to “turn the other cheek…”

Second, John the Baptist beheaded… This incident always strikes me hard; a few years ago I came to the realization of Jesus’ true feelings when He heard of this incident. Here’s tomorrow’s first verse: Now when Jesus heard this, He withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by Himself. (v. 14:13a) With this verse and others in Mark and Luke I began to sense the full weight of grief that Jesus felt upon hearing this news of His cousin’s murder. He had to get away by Himself – and even though the crowds followed He did not reject them, but instead …He had compassion on them and healed their sick. (v. 14:14b) My Study Bible noted how John was right to challenge Herod – and he paid for it with his life. His is a good example for us to follow in standing up for what is right.

A couple of hard times in Jesus’ earthly life…

Blessings!

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See also:

• March 3 (2021) / Matt. 13:53-58; Mark 6:1-6
• March 9 (2021) / Matt. 14:1-12; Mark 6:14-29; Luke 3:19-20; 9:7-9

Matthew 13:24-52

Dear RTB’ers,

Today, six more parables, all “kingdom of heaven” parables. I find three major conclusions in these six parables. First, in this world the good and the bad exist together (the wheat and the tares; the net of mixed fish). It is not our business to deal with the bad or judge them; God will deal with them at the final judgment. The second is about the enormously high value of the kingdom of heaven (the hidden treasure; the pearl of great price). We should be willing to give up all that we have to attain to the kingdom of heaven. Note that we should not interpret this as a suggestion that the kingdom of heaven can be “bought” – neither with our wealth nor with our efforts! The third is about the growth of the kingdom (the mustard seed and the leaven). A small beginning can lead to huge growth. We could also take it further and apply it to our own personal lives.

Although we have good lessons in all these parables, one “add-on” verse jumped out at me: And He said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” (v. 52) I have mentioned scribes and Pharisees three or four times in the last week. There was only one occasion where my comment was positive, the one where the scribe said that he would follow Jesus anywhere (v. 8:19). I see today’s verse 52 as Jesus suggesting that a number of scribes (and Pharisees?) could end up following Him, and that they had much to offer, both in explaining Old Testament scriptures (possibly in a new light) and in helping people to understand whatever Jesus was teaching, in part His connection to those Old Testament scriptures. To that end, we can point to the apostle Paul, who did that very thing – a well-trained Pharisee who continues to teach us today!

Blessings!

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See also:

• February 22 (2021) / Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43
• February 23 (2021) / Matt. 13:31-35; Mark 4:30-34; Luke 13:18-21
• February 24 (2021) / Matt. 13:44-52; Mark 4:21-29; Luke 8:16-18

Matthew 13:1-23

Dear RTB’ers,

Today, the first of many parables in Matthew’s gospel. My Study Bible notes that Jesus spoke approximately 30 parables in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, but none in John’s gospel. An AI response said that there were 23 in Matthew’s gospel alone, including seven in chapter 13, the first of which we are reading today.

“The Sower and the Seed” is one of the most well-known of Jesus’ parables, in part because He offers His disciples an explanation of its meaning. I’ve heard many sermons covering this parable and seen seeds planted for children’s (and adults’!) teaching activities. The one teaching that I best recall had us putting ourselves into the story – yes, a common suggestion for this parable, asking us what sort of “soil” we were. But this particular teaching asked us to examine our lives at various times and to see if we were different soils at these different times in our lives.

That is, many long years ago did I completely ignore God’s word to me (along the path) or did I catch a glimpse of what was being said, but didn’t go very far with it (rocky soil). And no doubt, during my walk with God I have been distracted by the worries, cares, and opportunities I have faced in this world (the thorns). But yet, I know that I am now living on good soil and have seen fruit in the various ministries in which Carol and I have been engaged – not the least of which is this RTB group, now in its 17^th year. Still, even now I wonder how often thorns continue to choke my spiritual walk.

So try it yourself, folks. Go back through your life and see what kind(s) of soil you have been when seeds have been scattered your way. And speak out – share with us some of what you learn. We would be blessed!

Blessings!

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See also:

• October 21 (2023) / Matthew 13:1-52; Mark 4:1-34; Luke 8:1-18; 13:18-21
• February 20 (2021) / Luke 8:1-3; Matt. 13:1-23

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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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