Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this week is Matthew 5:1-12.

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Matthew 5:1-12

This beautiful passage, called The Beatitudes, is part of a larger scripture section known as the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5-7 Jesus lays out the basis of His ministry, with instruction on a variety of different subjects, teaching about our relationship with others and with God. It is the first time in the Gospel of Matthew that we hear directly from Jesus.

Jesus tells us that we are blessed by a variety of attitudes and actions, some of which don’t really sound much like blessings: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me” (verse 11). Jesus is telling us from the very beginning that the world will resist the change He brings through us and there will be repercussions. Jesus never “sugar coated” anything, He was always honest about what saying yes to Him would mean in our lives.

When I was a child I thought the title of this passage was “The Be Attitudes”, how we were supposed to be. (Editorial note: I may not have originated this term, but that’s definitely what I heard when Dr. Clark preached it!) Looking back, perhaps that isn’t such a bad interpretation. If we would be more like the examples Christ gave us in this lesson, we and the world would all be better for it.

Loving Lord, we hear Your teachings but we are slow to apply them to our lives. Make us strong in Your word that we may share the love it shows us with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 4:12-23.

When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Matthew 4:12-23

Jesus went out among the people to gather His disciples. He chose common people, no one special – because to Jesus we are all special. He didn’t look for people with power or wealth, but He didn’t turn them away either.

Jesus wanted to show that no one was beneath His dignity. He ministered to the poor who were often forgotten and pushed aside. He preached to the rich who were often hated for their wealth and position. He taught Jews and Gentiles that they all had the same Heavenly Father in spite of their differences.

Jesus wanted us to know how much we were the same and how much God loves us. He wanted us to understand that God is ready to forgive and welcome us back into a relationship with Him. Jesus has so much to share with us if we only take time to listen and believe.

Gracious God, you sent Your Son to love and heal and free us from our sins. May we be faithful to what He taught and share Your love with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 4:12-23.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Matthew 4:23

This verse could be the “Reader’s Digest Condensed Version” of His entire ministry. Jesus went to the people, not expecting them to come to Him, although they later would follow Him throughout the countryside. He taught them about the coming of the kingdom, and healed them. This was the core of His mission, connecting with us and bringing us back into a relationship with God.

He calls us to go do the same in the world today. That may be an awesome task to consider – Jesus wants us to do what He did. How could we possibly be able to do those things? Jesus was God incarnate, of course He could reach out, teach and heal, but we are mere humans!

First, we must trust Him. He would not have called us to something we aren’t capable of doing. He didn’t promise it would be easy but He promised to be there to support us in everything. The old hymn tells us “‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus and to take Him at His word”. When we rely on Jesus, we are blessed to go and use the gifts we are given in His name.

Loving Lord, we are often overwhelmed at the task You have given, to make disciples of all the world. Help us to know Your love and support and to go boldly in Your name for the purpose You have chosen for us. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 4:12-23.

Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Matthew 4:21-22

Jesus continues calling a group of men that will be the closest to him and the ones He teaches most. Later, they will be the ones entrusted to carry on His ministry here on earth. Jesus showed us that our relationship with God is essential, but also that being connected to our brothers and sisters in Him is needed.

18th century preacher John Wesley wrote “The Gospel of Christ knows no religion but social; no holiness, but social holiness.” We were all made for God and each other. Jesus spent time alone in prayer with God, but He was with His followers more often, knowing that they all needed each other’s presence.

We need to follow His example for time alone and time with others. The balance may be different for each person depending on the gifts you have been given and the call God places on your life, but we all need to find the peace He gives when we are connected to Him and each other. We are separate beings but we are not meant to be separated.

Loving Lord, in Your creating wisdom You made all things to work together, including humans. Show us how we should be connected to You and each other every day. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 4:12-23..

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-20

This familiar passage tells us of Jesus calling His disciples. Jesus doesn’t give them a scripted recruitment pitch, He merely tells them “Come follow me and I will send you out to fish for people” (verse 19). It is an unusual statement but amazingly the ones He called go without hesitation.

Jesus tells them they will be gathering in people as they once drew in fish. I always thought this “catching” analogy a little strange. After all, didn’t Jesus invite people? He certainly didn’t drag them in like fish in a net!

Perhaps we need to look at this a little differently. What if we think of Jesus catching us as we fell in sin and putting us back on our feet, in a right relationship with God and with a new life and purpose? This seems more in line with what Jesus does for us. He draws us in with His love and teaches us, then sends us out to share the Good News. You might say Jesus uses “catch and release” to spread the word of His love.

Gracious God, we are grateful for the coming of Jesus to gather us in and show us Your love. Help us to go in His name to gather our brothers and sisters in to feel Your love too. Amen.

Our scripture for this week is Matthew 4:12-23.

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 4:17

The message Jesus brings sounds much like what John proclaimed earlier – “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 3:2 and Matthew 4:17). It was a message that the people had not heard before then. Yes, prophets from the distant past had called them to repentance, but now something new is also being told to them – the kingdom of heaven has come near.

What did that mean to them? Some thought it was a reference to Jesus Himself. Isaiah had written “See, I am doing a new thing!” (Isaiah 43:19) and God was certainly trying to reach us in a new way through Jesus. Yet it means more than just His presence with us.

God had called Israel to a special relationship when He told them “You will be a nation of priests” (Exodus 19:6), giving them the task of sharing God with the world. Through Jesus they are called to go outside their cultural comfort level to reach those who are not part of their society. God’s call to us has not changed: we must repent and with His help share the love He has for all people, for His kingdom has indeed come near.

Loving Lord, we are often selfish and disobedient, going our own way instead of Your way. Put us back on the right path that we may be energetic in our work for Your kingdom. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 4:12-23.

When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
Matthew 4:12-16

Jesus came to fulfill a need in people to see a perfect example of God’s love. Instead of going to Jerusalem and teaching at the temple, He went to the outlying provinces of Israel, where He spoke to small groups and those who were shunned by society. The prophet Isaiah had written seven hundred years earlier that “the people living in darkness have seen a great light”, and while he indicated the location where Jesus went to teach, the people living in darkness was a much larger group than that.

Jesus came at a specific time and place to show us how much God wanted to connect with us, but His plan to reach all people continues today. He has called each of us to bring the light of His love to the dark places that still exist. This is the beauty of God’s plan for us, that He wants us to be part of the work.

God has blessed us with gifts to be used in His service, carrying His invitation to all people everywhere. Our task is to go where we are needed, as Jesus did, to ensure no place or group is left out. God has called us to be the light in the darkness, letting people know how much He loves us all.

Wise and wonderful God, in Your perfect plan for creation You have made a place for each of us and a task for us to accomplish. Help us to see the work You have for us and help others to know Your love through our witness. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 4:12-23.

When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Matthew 4:12-23

Jesus begins His public ministry with words that we have heard before “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near”. John had preached repentance as the way to be ready for the coming of the Lord, and now Jesus continues this teaching as the way to prepare for the coming of God’s kingdom. As the scripture tells us “on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned”.

Jesus began to gather friends to follow Him and be part of the kingdom work God had called them to accomplish. From the very beginning God said “it is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18), knowing that humans needed to be with other humans for support and companionship. We were created to be in relationship with God and each other.

Jesus came as one of us so that we could associate with Him as we do each other and learn more easily what God intends for us. Jesus came as our teacher and our savior, but also as our brother, a human example for us. We need to stay close to Him in this connection God has given us, that we may bring others into His love and care.

Gracious God, we are thankful for the gift of Jesus who came to be with us and show us Your love. Help us to share His presence with all people everywhere that they may connect with Him as well. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 1:29-42.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter ).
John 1:29-42

This week we have read about the faithful witness of John, who pointed people to Jesus, that they might know Him and be saved. We are called to be faithful witnesses as well, sharing the Good News of Christ’s salvation and His love for us. It isn’t always easy to be His representatives, but those who claim His name and His promise must always be ready to tell His story.

We heard about the first people to follow Jesus, those He asked to “come and see”. These became His disciples, learning about the kingdom of God and how we must be part of His plan. Later, Jesus would entrust the continuation of His ministry to these faithful ones.

Jesus invites us to be like John and the disciples, pointing others to Him and sharing His story. Like them, He has called us to be part of the kingdom work and entrusted us with carrying on what He began. God has a plan for all of creation and He has a part in that plan for each of us specifically.

Loving Lord, we are amazed at Your grace and mercy, given to each of each in spite of our failings. Bless us to continue the work You gave us through the loving example of Jesus. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 1:29-42

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter ).
John 1:29-42

John the Baptist has pointed people to Jesus, and now Andrew and others are coming to Him to learn what He teaches. Jesus calls us all, but it is up to us to obey that call and do our best to ensure others hear it as well. Jesus gives us His outstretched hand in invitation, we must choose to take it.

Andrew models this for us, going with Jesus but then returning to bring his brother Simon (Peter) to meet Jesus as well. This example fills the commands we have received to love God, love neighbor and make disciples. Jesus has much more to teach those who follow Him, but this is how a relationship with Him begins.

How are we accepting the invitation Jesus sends and the call He places on our lives? He has much for us to do, not because He needs our help but that we might be part of His wonderful ministry to all people. Jesus has a task for every one of us, right here, right now.

Wise and wonderful God, we are grateful that You call us into Your plan, that You involve us in what You are doing in the world. Help us to be strong and productive as we answer Your call. Amen.