SCRIPTURE: Matthew 25 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. [Matthew 25:15] Jesus compares us to servants of a wealthy benefactor (God) who entrusts us with amazing wealth and opportunity, and everything we need to succeed. He…
am I ready?
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 24 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. [Matthew 24:21] I am thinking about how severe this distress must be, if it is unequaled throughout history. As a history major, I know that there have been…
who do we think we are?
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 23 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor,…
adjustable theology
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 22 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. [Matthew 22:30] I have always struggled with this verse. My ‘theology is that when God restores the creation, He will restore the good things He created… including marriage. The…
fruit-bearing?
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 21 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. [Matthew 21:43] The bible uses “fruit” to describe what our life produces, our words and deeds. This is the real test, what the Lord…
shocking generosity
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 20 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ [Matthew 20:15] There is definitely a shock value to this story. It draws out the “that’s not fair” from my mind too. One of the problems that…
better not to marry?
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 19 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.” [Matthew 19:10] After Jesus teaches how serious marriage vows are, and God’s strong position against divorce, the disciples conclude that singleness is better than marriage. They are not…
God’s heart and mine
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 18 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier…
without rebellion
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 17 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said…
can happen to me too
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 16 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. [Matthew 16:17] Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have…