Month: June 2020

Our scripture this week is Matthew 10:24-31.

“The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

In our lesson this week Jesus has shared with His disciples encouragement for their upcoming mission journeys. He tells them the message they carry may be rejected initially, but because it is God’s eternal truth, it will be heard. Jesus ends this teaching with the assurance that God is aware of their effort and that they are valuable to Him.

Do you sometimes wonder if it’s all worth it? I’m sure we all have days when we feel it doesn’t matter what we do. Jesus says not to be afraid, it is expected that the powers of this world will oppose us and try to make us feel worthless. However, Jesus reminds us how much we mean to God.

The Father in heaven loves and cares for us, and nothing on earth can take away that connection. We are His children, standing with Christ to share the Good News and giving the world a chance to know His love as well. We can take comfort and courage from this relationship, knowing He is our strength and our redeeemer.

Wise and wonderful God, we are grateful for Your love poured out for us. Help us to be strong against the pull of worldly things, living in Your name and for Your glory. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 10:24-31.

“The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

Jesus warns us that by being like Him, we will face the same opposition He did. He says “If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household” (v. 25). Jesus was often accused by the Pharisees of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul (Matthew 12:24) and He wants His disciples to be ready for the same accusations and worse.

Following Jesus was never promised to be easy. He told us those that follow must be ready to “deny themselves, and take up their cross” (Matthew 16:24). This is a hard task for a self-centered society!

In order to obey His call and follow Him, we must be willing to put the needs of others ahead of our own. In order to do that, we must engage them and hear them. If we close our ears to the cries of those around us, we can never hear the call Christ places on our lives.

Loving Lord, we are often deaf to the reality around us. Help us to listen with our hearts, ready to share Your love with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 10:24-31.

“The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Matthew 10:24-31

Jesus speaks to our fear of death with the words “do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” (v. 28). Most humans fear death as the greatest unknown we face. He teaches that the death of our mortal bodies is not the end of our being, there is more to us than this shell we inhabit on earth – our connection to our Maker.

Jesus came to conquer death and show us that while we will all die at some point, we can rely on God’s love and care through the experience. The apostle Paul reminds us “For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22). This is the hope that Jesus brings us, that death is not the end.

We can now live with the assurance of His promise to prepare a place for us and to return for us (John 14). Death no longer holds power over us and we are called to live boldly, sharing His love with everyone. When we put our trust in Jesus, we put away our fear of death.

Gracious God, help us to know the depth of Your love and grace for us that extends beyond death. May we live securely with Christ’s promise to be together at the end. Amen.

“The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Matthew 10:24-31

Jesus encourages us to be open in our conduct and dealings with others, for there are those who operate as if what they do will not be discovered. He warns “there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known” (v. 26). Their actions will eventually be revealed for what they are and all will be responsible to God, who sees everything.

Our actions can’t earn us a place in heaven, only acceptance of Jesus as our savior can redeem us; but what we do here on earth and how we treat each other has weight in the eyes of the Lord. Jesus has taught us in many ways that our care for our brothers and sisters is an essential part of being included in the kingdom. We can’t proclaim Christ as our master and act as if He isn’t.

Being open and truthful in our daily living is essential. It allows others to see the love of Jesus at work and the joy of being in connection with Him. By being living witnesses for Him, we share the Good News in more than words, showing the world that our risen savior is with us all.

Loving Lord, we are grateful for the love You teach and share with us. Help us to be carriers of that love to all people. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 10:24-31.

“The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

Jesus taught that we should not be so afraid of earthly challenges but rather concentrate on the eternal nature of our existence. He wanted us to live with the confidence that God was concerned about our lives and know the everlasting love He has for us. If God values His children, who can dispute their worth?

In our society today (much as it was in Jesus’ time) there are those that seem less important, less valued by the community. Jesus warns that all are the same as God’s children and we risk God’s judgement when we do not treat all as brothers and sisters. We do not have the power to assign value to one another, our loving Creator has already done that.

There will always be misunderstandings and disagreements but as His people it is up to us to treat everyone with dignity and listen to their concerns as Jesus did. By hearing the issues others face, we can better understand their fears and how we can be part of the love God sends to help them. Jesus calls each of us to be peacemakers by paying attention.

Loving Lord, we are often concerned only with our own affairs, unable to understand what others face in our world. Help us to be compassionate listeners, ready to offer Your love and care to those in need. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 10:24-31.

The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

“The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters.” Jesus begins this lesson with a statement that should be obvious to us but we sometimes lose sight of – we are not God. I don’t believe any of us think or say this, but sometimes we act as if it were true.

Our behavior should be a reflection of the loving Creator, for as we read in Genesis 1:26, we are made in His image. The world should see in us the care God has for all His children. Instead, we often act in our own interest, putting our desires first instead of what God would have us do.

Jesus reminds us the servant is not above his master, that God is not mocked by our efforts to be in control. We must repent of our selfishness and submit to God’s plan for us. In His service we find our highest purpose and only in obedience we can be truly free.

Gracious God, we ask forgiveness for our willful ways. Help us to see the way You would have us go, help us to be the people You intend us to be. Amen.

Our scripture this week Is Matthew 10:24-31.

The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

In this lesson Jesus tells His followers not to worry about people’s opinion or the secrets they may keep. He teaches that earthly things are only temporary and that our true happiness is in God. When we stop letting human things like pride of position, wealth and possessions consume our lives, we can truly be in connection with God.

He explains the danger of worrying about our lives here and failing to be concerned about our eternal situation. Chasing treasure here can mean we aren’t paying attention to our relationship with God. He wants us to see that we are better than the things we so often desire.

Jesus uses the analogy of the sparrows that were the least expensive sacrifice available for sale at the temple to indicate our value to God. If God takes notice of these, how much more will He be aware of our needs? Each of us is precious to Him and we can be assured that the Lord pays attention to all His children.

Heavenly Father, we are often wrapped up in our own issues and the challenges we create for ourselves. Help us to see what is truly valuable, our relationship with You and sharing Your love with all. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 9:35 – 10:8.

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

Jesus tells the disciples what they are to do and gives them what may be the most important instruction of all – “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). The gift of God has been given to us without reservation and we are to share it in the same way. Jesus wants us to tell of God’s love without expectations, to honestly share what we have experienced, speaking of our relationship with Him without thought of success or gain.

This is a difficult thing for people. Human society has long been focused on “what’s in it for me?” and this is not the witness God intends for us. We are called to share simply because God has blessed us and while these gifts are far beyond anything we deserve, He gives them just because He loves us.

This is the message Jesus wants us to carry to all our brothers and sisters. God is love and His goodness is in all of us. We are part of His plan for saving the lost and by freely giving the gift He gave us, we may truly receive salvation.

Gracious God, we are amazed that Your love is given to us even when we stray. Help us to be strong in our connection to You and share Your glory everywhere. Amen.