Matthew 18:1-5

Matthew 18:1-5

Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?  

Jesus brings a little child to Himself.  

 Those who are to enter the kingdom of heaven are to be converted entering like a little child.  Humbling himself like a child.  

Receiving a little child is like receiving Jesus.  

Application:  

It's not about being the greatest.  It's about being humble.  It's not about being top... It's about being like a child. 

It's also about accepting a little child in Jesus name.  

Lord sometimes it's hard to remember the greatest calling on my life as a

Mother, when I think of all the other great and grandiose types of things I would love to be doing.  Please help me not lose sight of those things and keep my eyes focused on You and the things most important to Your heart.

Matthew 17:14-27

Matthew 17:24-27

Jesus and Peter address the matter of the temple tax.  The temple tax was a tax to support those who were in the temple.  

Jesus and Peter discuss that technically it is not a tax they should pay, but they choose to not offend, and they pay what is requested.  

And the payment itself is a miracle, coming from the mouth of the first fish that comes up.  

I love this example of Jesus.  He pays something to not offend, even if maybe it's not something He should have to do.   He chooses the route of caring and being sensitive to them.  Why?  Because He loves them more than Himself.  

And I love how it is miraculously provided for Him and Peter.  

Sometimes doing the right thing can be hard but God will provide when we are seeking to do His will.  Maybe not in ways we think but He does provide.  

Matthew 17:22-23

Matthew 17:22-23

Jesus once again is preparing His disciples for what was to come.  He is going to be taken and betrayed and killed on the third day, and then He will be raised up.  His disciples were extremely sorrowful.  

As I read, when the news of Jesus dying on the cross continues to bring deep sorrow and sadness.  But what seems to keep be getting missed in discussion is what is going to happen after.  Even when He does on the cross no one brings up being risen again.  And when He is risen again, it is shocking.  

One time in the prayer room at church someone spoke the words to me: just because something seems dead does not mean it is.  Our God is a God of Resurrection, bringing dead things to life.  A redeeming God, making things that seem to have no hope into beautiful things.  A Life Giving God, bringing dead things to life.  

Death of things is not the end, in Jesus it is the beginning.  

Yes we do sorrow over the things that have died, losses we have felt, even death of another person.  But after that grief comes the hope of new life.  Something that is about to be birthed from the sadness.  

Lord help me keep my eyes out for the beautiful things you are going to work at, instead of on the death.  May I not live in grief anymore but in the fullness of Your Resurrection and Your new life.  

Matthew 17:14-21

Matthew 17:14-21

An epileptic son that could not be cured by Jesus' disciples.  

Jesus rebukes the demon and it came out of the child and was cured that very hour.  

This type of demon does not come out except by prayer and fasting.  

To have faith like a mustard seed.  So small.  Jesus told the disciples they could not get the demon out because of their unbelief.  But Jesus could.

Application:  sometimes it's seems like there are mountains to big for the miracles.  I struggle with doubt and unbelief in those areas...  Forgetting what God has already done in those moments and looking at the glass half empty in discouragement.  

I need to be making more of an effort to pray when something is broken.  Need to be able to take time to pray instead of fretting worrying or doubting.  

Lord please help my unbelief.  And please help me be once again blown away at the power of seeing You answer prayers in the way You see fit. Not my will but Yours be done.   

Matthew 16:28--17:13

Matthew 16:28-17:13

Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on a high mountain with Him 

By themselves.  

Then He was transfigured before them: 

His face shining like the sun, clothes became white as light.

He was glowing!

Then Moses and Elijah appear and start talking to Jesus.  Peter gets the great idea:  Lord let us build tabernacles for you and Moses and Elijah.  

God the Father silences the disciples and brings them to their faces:"This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.  Listen to Him!"

Jesus touches them and tells them to not be afraid and when they look up there is on one but Jesus.  

Jesus asks them to not tell anyone about this until after He rises from the dead.  

He also tells them the

Scribes did not listen to John the Baptist, and they are not listening to Him, and He is about to suffer at their hand.

Application:  today as I Sabbath, spend time alone with Him.  Go some place without interruption.  Allow Jesus to be with me - His Spirit in me.  

Jesus was glowing.  May His glow shine onto my face today.  

LISTEN to Him.  Fall on my face but do not be afraid.  Allow Him to speak truth in my life.  His truth to prepare me for each day.  

I think sometimes I can be like Peter, having the grand visions and great ideas to do and present to Him.  And God quiets Peter with words telling him to listen to His Son.  And the truth is still that today.  

Summary

1. Take time to be alone with Jesus

2. Be amazed at His transfiguration

3. Recognize that is what He is doing in my life

4. Instead of taking all my grandiose ideas and plans, stop and listen to Him and ask Him what He is saying.  

5. When I listen seek to understand.  

6. Do not be afraid.

 

Matthew 16:24-27

Matthew 16:24-27

To come after Jesus: 

Deny Himself

Take up the cross

Follow Jesus.

It seems backwards... those who desire to save your life lose it.  

When you lose your life for Jesus you will find it.  

What we get it exchange for our own soul:

Jesus comes in the glory of His Father and His Angels and will reward each according to His work.

I am learning a different side of living for Jesus right now.  It is a side for rest.  A side to not have to be doing, but learning to be with Him again.  It's. hard side to give up but it is time with my Lord that I am so blessed to have.  And it is an important season, slowly having His Spirit fill my soul once more, that I may have enough to give to my family.  And then give to what He puts in front of me and gives me permission to do.  

I don't want to gain the whole world and lose my soul.  Rest and beauty with Him, and then see what He has planned from there.  Being available and ready for Him to do His work in me to be a Mary.  

 

Matthew 16:21-23

Jesus tells of His disciples that He is going to be delivered to the elders of Jerusalem and suffer many things from priests elders and scribes.  

That He will be killed and then raised again on the third day.  

Peter's response: a rebuke to Jesus that this would not happen to Him.  

Jesus response: "get behind me Satan!" 

He tells Peter He was not being mindful of the things of God but the things of men.

Application:

 

Peter's response indicated he didn't think it was good for Jesus to suffer.  That wasn't the plans Peter had for this King.  

Sometimes we have to be careful with our words and what we say. Peter's words were all meaningful, and I think that often in trying to help someone that is suffering or going to be facing something really difficult, we want to sugar coat it with our words and of course we wouldn't want to believe that they would have to go through that.  But our well meaning words could be doing one of two things:

1. We could actually be turning someone from doing what God wants them to do

2. We could be giving them discouragement when they know what they need to face.  And instead of feeling supported they could feel alone

What if Peter had responded with, "Lord I will be praying for You."  Or "what can I do to help support You as You walk through this?"

Peter also missed key words at the end.  That Jesus would be raised again on the third day.  

Application with that is we need to be careful when The Lord is speaking to not miss out on the bigger picture that He is doing.  He had a life changing plan for the world.  Death was not the end, a huge miracle was about to follow the tragedy of His death.  We need to look through His eyes and search out His plans, not our own.  

Lord please be at work for the plans You have in our home.  And please watch over my words to not hinder something that You are doing in others lives, but keep me reminded of the importance of praying for those things instead.  And encouraging those that need it.