Day 291: Matthew 13, 14 and 15

The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. (Matthew 13:31)

The Parable of the Farmer (vv. 1-8) teaches that farming is hard work and not for those seeking instant gratification. Some seed falls on rocky soil, some is eaten by birds, and some is choked by thorns, but if we are patient, the seed that falls on good soil will produce a crop many times greater than the original seed sown.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed (vv. 31,32) illustrates that even though the mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds, if we are patient it will grow into one of the biggest of garden plants. The Parable of the Yeast (v. 33) shows that in time even a small amount of yeast can leaven a large amount of flour.

Earlier in Matthew we read: Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it (7:14). Yet in Revelation we read: I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language (7:9). How did we get from narrow the road and few that find it to a great multitude that no one could count? That’s the incremental onslaught of the Kingdom.

Nothing worthwhile springs up overnight. Be faithful, and though it may take time, the harvest will be incredible.

Do you ever get impatient waiting for growth?

Day 290: Matthew 10, 11 and 12

Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. (Matthew 10:32)

At first glance, the second half of Matthew 10 is depressing. Brother will betray brother (v. 21); All men will hate you (v. 22); If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household! (v. 25). If Jesus is recruiting, I would be surprised if he has much success.

Jesus warns his followers that they are assuming certain risks if they walk as Jesus walks. People may impugn your motives (vv. 24,25); in living out the Christian life you will undoubtedly face persecution (v. 28); and your enemy will make you question your own self-worth and whether or not God loves you (v. 29). But some risks are worth taking. Too often we focus on the warnings, and miss the promises. Three times here Jesus says: Do not be afraid (vv. 26,28,31).

When people question your motives, do not be afraid. When you face persecution, do not be afraid. When your enemy tempts you to question whether or not God loves you, do not be afraid.

Then, note the BIG promise: If anyone acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. Here’s how I paraphrase that: If you stand up for me, I’ll stand up for you.

Tell the truth. Are you afraid if you take a risk, God will leave you twisting in the wind?

Day 289: Matthew 7, 8 and 9

The Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons” (Matthew 9:34).

Two groups of people in this vignette respond to Jesus in completely different ways. When Jesus drives a demon out of a man who is mute and the man begins to speak, the crowds proclaim: Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel (v. 33). The Pharisees are less enthusiastic: It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.

Have you ever been frustrated by a back seat driver? The Pharisees remind me of a first century example of the armchair quarterback. When it came to handing out criticism, they went by the adage: ‘Tis more blessed to give than to receive.

In the next paragraph, Jesus is traveling through Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and healing the sick. He connects with the people, and notes that they are like sheep without a shepherd (v. 36). I cannot help but wonder if he was thinking of the Pharisees at this moment; especially when he continues: The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few (v. 37).

Again, two groups of people: the ones doing the work, and the ones sitting on the sidelines second-guessing the quarterback. Their contribution? Well, if I was in the game… Maybe that’s the problem. Why aren’t they in the game?

Are you playing the game or sitting on the sidelines critiquing the plays? If you’re not already, how could you get in the game?

Day 288: Matthew 4, 5 and 6

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9)

Allow me to paraphrase: How fortunate are those who don't content themselves with being spectators at a fight, but who step in and initiate reconciliation, who take a volatile situation and guide it to resolution; and who, rather than say, "There's no hope," bring the encouraging word, "Give peace a chance." People like that resemble their heavenly Father, and people notice.

What if I refused to stoke a conflict, applying water to smoldering fires rather than gasoline? What if I actively advocated for peace, smoothing ruffled feathers and calming frenzied spirits? And what if I had the kind and volume of peace in my life that overflowed to those around me?

[Peacemakers] will be called sons of God. When we stand up for peace, and when we allow ourselves to be used as conduits for peace, those whom we influence will recognize in us the DNA of our heavenly Father. We will be called sons of God.

What do people call you?

Day 287: Matthew 1, 2 and 3

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about (Matthew 1:18).

How does a story begin? If this were a fairy tale, it might start: Once upon a time… Instead, it reads: This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. But is that how it really starts? Matthew includes Christ’s genealogy, boring to most American readers, but fascinating to Matthew’s original audience – the Jews. This is the Messiah’s Once Before a Time…

Yes, every story begins somewhere, but what about before that?

Jesus’ family tree includes some ancestors of which anyone would be proud. It boasts partiarchs and pretty much all the kings of Judah starting with David and marching down through the years to Jehoiachin. Of course, no one would brag about being related to some of those kings, but at least they were kings.

Then there were some odd players to show up in a genealogical chart. There was Rahab, a prostitute turned hero of Israel; Tamar, a widow turned prostitute; Ruth, a foreigner (her people would be barred from the temple); and Bathsheba, who got pregnant with King David’s son when she was still married to Uriah the Hittite. Awkward. What a cast of characters.

It goes to show that no one need be limited by his family tree. Your story was being written long before you were born... and your story is the Once Before a Time of your grandchildren.

Who are the characters God used to write your ‘Once Before a Time’?

Day 286: Malachi 1, 2, 3 and 4

What do we gain by carrying out his requirements? (Malachi 3:14)

The prophet Malachi comes on the scene as much as a century after the ministries of Haggai and Zechariah. Through him, God reminds his people how he has loved and cared for them from the beginning. And from the beginning they have rejected him: Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them (3: 7) Rather than heartfelt gratitude for his loving kindness, Judah’s worship has deteriorated from indifference to downright resentment: What a bother (1:13).

Malachi goes on to compare the men of Jerusalem divorcing their wives with how the nation has abandoned Yahweh to chase after the daughter of a foreign god (2:11). And the prophet is not finished. Judah’s refusal to love God as they ought has given rise to injustice in the courts (2:9) and oppression of the poor (3:5).

When Malachi reprimands them for withholding that which belongs to God (their tithes), they respond, But what’s in it for us? (3:14) In their selfishness they have dismissed God’s goodness as something they had coming to them anyway by virtue of being his chosen people. At the center of their own universe, they have room in their hearts for neither their Creator nor their fellow human being. Every response is pragmatically weighed to determine what kind of return they can expect for their investment.

When’s the last time you asked, “What’s in it for me?”

Day 285: Zechariah 12, 13 and 14

They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him... (Zechariah 12:10)

Chapter 12 is a case study in the interplay of God’s kindness and humanity’s repentance. The opening sentence speaks to God’s sovereignty, exercised in this case for the protection of Jerusalem. In response to God’s goodness, Judah’s national leaders acknowledge their indebtedness to Yahweh for his deliverance. God responds to their gratitude with continued support.

In John’s Passion narrative, he quotes Zechariah (John 19:37) to bolster his position that Jesus is the Christ. Though it is unlikely Zechariah was referencing the Messiah, it was not uncommon for New Testament writers to see Christ in Old Testament writings.

God’s consistent graciousness provokes a spirit of humility among his people. Rather than pointing to Jesus and the crucifixion, these verses portray the people’s grief upon recalling how their disobedience and unfaithfulness have pierced the heart of God.

Judah’s humble response to God’s protection and provision foreshadows the truth affirmed by the Apostle Paul more than half a century later: Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? (Romans 2:4)

How has God’s goodness and mercy changed your heart?