Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture today is Matthew 27:57-58 (ESV).

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.

While Jesus rightly takes the rich to task in many of His lessons, we also see that there are examples of wealthy people who follow Jesus. Matthew, a former tax collector who was certainly well off, gave it up to become a disciple. In this passage we hear Joseph of Arimathea placing the body of Jesus in his own tomb. Being rich is not an automatic disqualifier for salvation. People who have wealth will be asked how they obtained it and how they used it to advance the kingdom, the same way we will all be asked about our stewardship of God’s gifts.

Gracious God, You have given us everything and asked us to be part of what You are bringing about in Creation. Help us to use Your gifts wisely for the benefit of all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 27:11 (ESV).

Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.”

In Isaiah 53:7 we read “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth”. Jesus did not defend Himself against the false charge of claiming to be the King of the Jews. The Roman governor did not care about Jewish religious matters, but the idea of a King in Jerusalem would not enhance Pilate’s position in Rome. The religious leaders brought Jesus to Pilate with a charge he could not ignore politically and he chose to ignore the innocence of Jesus, just as the prophecy from Isaiah told us.

Loving Lord, forgive us when we choose the worldly way – the easy way – instead of what You have called us to do. Bless us to be strong in our faith and go to share it with the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is Matthew 26:75 (ESV).

And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

If we are honest with ourselves, we deny Jesus in every thought and action that doesn’t reflect His love. Just as with Peter, He knows before it happens. He knows because He came as a human to be part of us, that we could be part of Him. He felt all the physical and emotional pain we inflict on ourselves and others. However, when we react with remorse and repentance at these as Peter did, Jesus can forgive and restore us. You are never unworthy of being washed clean by His blood.

Gracious God, You were willing to come to be one of us in order that we might be saved. Forgive us when we act rashly and place us back on the firm ground You intend for us. May we share Your love with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture today is Matthew 26:27-28 (ESV).

And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

In Jeremiah 31:31 we read “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah”. Jesus tells us that His blood is the fulfilment of that promise from God. He calls us to remember our history, how God saved His people and how He will save us for eternity through this sacrifice. In Luke 22:19 Jesus says “do this in remembrance of Me”, asking us to remember His death and resurrection, dying to sin and rising to salvation through Him.

Gracious God, You have always been faithful to the Covenant You have made. Forgive us and bless us to go in faith to tell the world of Your love. Amen.

Our scripture today is Matthew 25:40 (ESV).

And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

Jesus has been telling us about His “upsidedown kingdom” where the last shall be first. Here He is a little more specific in what this means for us. As His followers we are charged to do whatever we can to care for all people and as part of that, share His love and the promise of salvation. It is all tied together with His instruction to treat others as we wish to be treated, along with loving God and neighbor. It calls us to personal ministry where we are able, reaching people face to face when possible. All of God’s gifts are important in creation, but Jesus shows us that having each other as brothers and sisters in Him is the greatest gift.

Loving Lord, in Your mercy You sent Jesus to be our Savior. Bless us to go in faith to all Your children with Your love. Amen.

Our scripture today is Matthew 24:36 (ESV).

But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

Jesus gives us many illustrations of how we must be ready for the Day of the Lord. However, He tells us plainly that only God the Father knows that time. In Acts, following His resurrection, the disciples ask if this is when He will restore the kingdom to Israel. He replies “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority” (Acts 1:7). This is pretty straightforward. We need to live in constant readiness for His return. Trying to figure it out is not the plan. Faith in Him and living as He taught is the only way to be saved.

Gracious God, we are blessed to have the teaching and example of Christ our Savior. Help us to be servants as He demonstrated, using our gifts for the good of all. Amen.

The photo is of a coffee mug with this on it from dear friends when I left one appointment for another. Thanks again, bless you!

Our scripture today is Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV).

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

In this verse Jesus gives the Great Commandment that explains our relationship with God and each other. In order to show our love for God, we are called to care for His children and share His love. The way we are to do this is through the Great Commission to make disciples of all people. I have used the phrase “Love God, love neighbor, make disciples” for many years as a breath prayer and mission statement. I’m reluctant to say it sums up all of scripture but it is a great way to remember what we are called to do.

Heavenly Father, You sent Your Son to save us and invite us to be part of building Your kingdom. Bless us to go to the world bearing Your Word and Your love. Amen.

Our scripture today is Matthew 20:16 (ESV).

So the last will be first, and the first last.

Jesus continues to give us examples of the “upside-down” kingdom He is building. If we look back to the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 we see Him leading us to this concept – we will be blessed even though we have no power or position? Jesus teaches that is not what is needed to be saved, only our faith in Him. In His kingdom the rewards are all equal, salvation for each one. He shows us through the parable that precedes this an example of what He will do on the cross, forgive a condemned man. He is offering him salvation just as the rest of us. It doesn’t matter who has been around longest, the only thing that counts is having faith and the only reward is eternal life.

Loving Lord, we are grateful for Your mercy when we come in repentance. Bless us to go to the world in Your name. Amen.

Our scripture today is Matthew 19:26 (MEV).

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

This passage tends to be viewed as a warning against wealth. While a wealthy person was the subject of the previous story, what we should learn from this is rich or poor, nothing we have or do will save us. Only faith in Jesus can bring us to salvation. This story takes us all the way back to the peoples’ belief as shown in Job, that if God loved you He blessed you with things, and if you sinned, He sent punishment. Jesus shows us that is not the case – He was the most obedient person to ever live and He died a horrible death for us. When we ask forgiveness and Christ lives in us, we begin to live in ways that honor God’s promise that all things are possible with Him.

Gracious God, help us to see all Your gifts as tools to build Your kingdom and to serve all Your children. Bless us to share our gifts and our faith everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture today is Matthew 17:5 (MEV).

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him.”

When people speak of a “mountaintop experience”, this is the story where we get the term. Scripture is full of lessons that take place on mountaintops, such as Moses meeting the Lord on top of Mt.Sinai. It is a physical way of representing the spiritual action of being in the presence of God. While it was awe inspiring for Peter, John and James to see Jesus transfigured and glimpse what living on the mountaintop with Him will be like, we don’t live there – yet. We still live in the valley below, where the work Jesus has for us is waiting. We need to take strength and joy from these mountaintop times and share them with the world.

Loving Lord, in Your mercy You sent Jesus to save us from our sin. Thank You for the wonderful times together that prepare us for the discipleship to which we are called. Bless us to go to all Your children with Your love. Amen.